[Illustration: “Petmolen” or small pumping mill. Holland.] The characteristic of the Dutch mill is, however, that of a thatch covering, both on sides and top, on the usual size common mill--something not found in any other country. It is said of them that there is also a code worked out--sort of a wigwag or semaphore system--so that by the position of the vanes as left when shutting down, the long-distance observer can read whether a carpenter is needed or a baby has been born, etc., etc. Certain it is that the mills make fine elevations for flag-flying on holiday occasions, for then the staunch colors of Holland will be found on the flagpoles atop the most of them. In noting the Dutch mills, one cannot overlook--nor wants to--the picturesque little “petmolens” or “jaskers”--diminutive post pumping mills, for small fields only--that, with long, slender vanes, seen through the haze or afar, almost suggest one of the old rocs from Sinbad the Sailor, caught in the act of alighting. [Illustration: Brick tower mill; largest built. Great Yarmouth, England. (With Cubit’s tail vane.)] England, while numerically far inferior to Holland, is yet far in advance from the viewpoint of the fullest engineering development of this world’s motor, as may be gathered from what has been said above as to the automatic shutters, tail vanes, etc. The largest, the most varied and the most efficient are found there. Many fine examples of these mills can be seen, a few of which are still in operation. In the south of England there are plenty of old wood structures of all forms--of which the turret is perhaps the most locally characteristic. This is a huge, or at least large size, post mill, often for some fine estate, with the base enclosed with a circular low or one-story building, used for storage, so that the external effect suggests a turret. In central England a good number of the tall brick tower mills yet stand. [Illustration: Tower grist mill. South of England.]