|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
uses Google technology and indexes
only and selectively internet - libraries
having books with free public access |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous | |
Next |
|
|
SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 368 View PDF version of this page tunnel, is an original form of Cyprian engineering thoroughly understood by the population, which should be strenuously encouraged. It is a common fault among English people to ignore the value of native methods, and to substitute some costly machinery which requires skilled labour and expense in working ; this must in time get out of order and
necessitate delay and extra outlay in repairs ;
generally at a period when the machine is most
required.
It is a curious fact that the shadoof or lever and bucket worked by hand, which is so generally used throughout Egypt, is unknown in Cyprus, where in many localities it would be easily worked when water is within five to eight feet of the surface. This arrangement only requires a pole of about twenty feet in length supported upon an upright post, so as to play like a pump-handle by the balance of a weight attached to one end to counterbalance the pail of water suspended to a long stick and short rope at the other extremity. In Egypt the weight at the short end is merely a mass of clay tempered with chopped straw beaten together to represent about 150 lbs. or whatever may be required ; this adheres, and forms a knob to the end of the lever.
A man holds the long thin stick suspended at the other extremity to which the bucket is attached, and pulls it down hand over hand until the utensil is immersed in the water ; when full, it is so nearly counterbalanced by the weight at the end of the lever that a very slight exertion raises it to the desired level, where it is emptied into a receiver. Many years ago, when at Gondokoro, I arranged a double shadoof of parallel levers and two galvanised iron buckets of
View PDF version of this page
|
|
|
Previous |
First |
Next |
|
|
|