LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Fanning mill

Occasionally Farm Collector will print answers to readers' questions when information is available from knowledgeable sources.

Letter from the February 2004 issue of Farm Collector:

The 'Fully functional, but for what?' item on page 5 of the December 2003 issue may well be what is called a 'dry washer.' Much of California's gold was derived from the sand and gravels of streams using a variety of pans, rockers, sluice boxes - and later - dredges. But those who prospected in the dry California desert regions used air to separate the heavy gold from the lighter sand and gravel.

This 'dry washer' blew air up through a screen on which the gold-bearing material was spread. The heavy gold remained behind. The handles allowed it to be moved from one place to another. Sometimes these areas were known as 'dry diggings' to distinguish them from the usual wet areas along streams. Quite a few dry washers were used in California's Mojave Desert in the first half of the 20th century, especially during the Great Depression.

Of course this item could be some thing else completely, but the 'dry washer' sure comes to mind.

- R.H. Chamberlain P.O. Box 2320 Flournoy, CA 96029

'In the February issue, you published my letter tentatively identifying a device as a 'dry washer' for mining gold. Now, we have a correct identification from a reader. His letter and picture are as follows:'

- R. H. Chamberlain

Answer:

I saw your reply in 'Letters to the Editor' in Farm Collector.

I am sending you a picture of a fanning mill I have in my collection. It is a small exhibit that salesmen took along to show farmers what it was like and how it would work.

The picture in the magazine is not complete. Most of the screens are missing. On my farm, I also have the real working model I still use, but it's a lot bigger.

What this machine does is clean many different kinds of seeds like wheat, oats, barley, corn, beans, etc., so you can plant them without the trouble of using your grain drill.

I am 84 years old, and I have a big trailer full of old stuff I take around for people to see. I am still farming 400 acres now, but I only put up hogs and have beef cattle.

Hope this will help you.