Existing comment:
Winnowing Machine:
This machine is used to separate the chaff, dirt, etc from the grain by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a current of air to blow away the impurities. The grain is placed on wooden or basket tray, tossed gently in the air, and caught again on the tray. The process continued until the grain was clean. Or the grain could be dropped from one tray to another with the chaff blowing off until gone. A gentle breeze aided the process. Otherwise workers used wicker fans or baskets to fan the chaff. Sometimes paddle fans, called fanning mills and powered by horses on treadmills, were used. |