Scottish agricultural implement makers

By 1905 Wright Brothers of the Boyne Mills, Portsoy, made reapers, drillers and threshing mills. It was their threshing mills, and as a millwright that the company was especially renowned.

By the late 1940s the business was undergoing significant changes. In early 1948 steps were being taken to incorporate it to become a company limited by guarantee; the company received its certificate of incorporation to become Wright Brothers (Boyne Mills) Ltd.

Its certificate of incorporation provides details of the arrangements to bring about changes to the business and the activities that it was to undertake in following years:

“The objects for which the company is established are:-
(a) to acquire and take over as a going concern the business now carried on at Boyne Mills, Boyndie, Banffshire, and elsewhere in Scotland by William Alexander Wright, Portsoy, Banffshire. Harry Scott, Portsoy, banffshire, and William Souter, Alves, Morayshire, trading under the name of Wright Brothers, millwrights and electricians, and all or any of the assets of the said business, and for that purpose to execute with or without modification a Minute of Agreement proposed to be entered into immediately after the incorporation of the company between the said partners of Messrs Wright Brothers on one part and the company of the second part, a draft of which Minute of Agreement has been prepared .
(b) To carry on the business of manufacturers, sellers and dealers in farm and other tractors and agricultural machinery and implements of all types, designs and descriptions.
(c) To carry on the business of millwrights, consulting engineers, metallurgists, ion founders, mechanical engineers, tool makers, brass founders, metal workers, boiler makers, machinists, iron and steel converters, and smiths, and to buy, sell, manufacture, repair, convert, alter, let on hire and deal in machinery, implements, rolling stock and hardware of all kinds.
(d) To carry on the trades or businesses of electricians, electrical and general engineers, generators and storers of electricity for the purpose of motive power, light, heat, or otherwise, manufacturers of and dealers in all kinds of apparatus and accessories required for and capable of being used in connection with the generation, distribution, supply, accumulation and employment of electricity, or any business in which the application of electricity or any like power or any power that can be used as a substitute therefore as or may be useful or convenient, or any other business of a like nature.
(e) To carry on as principal or agents in Great Britain, or elsewhere, the business of merchants and dealers in and importers and exporters of all and every kind of agricultural, electrical, wireless, telephonic and telegraphic plant, fittings, machinery, tools, machine tools, apparatus, accessories, furnishings and supplies.
(f) To carry on the business of general merchants, suppliers’ agents, exporters and importers, wholesale and retailers of all and every kind of goods and articles capable of being bought and sold, whether or not related directly or indirectly to any of the foregoing.

The company had a share capital of £20,000, divided into 20,000 shares of £1 each. There were two subscribers, Alex Wright and A. Scott. The registered offices were at Boyne Mills.

The company continued in business until 1955. On 7 February the company passed an extraordinary resolution to voluntarily wind up the company. It final winding up meeting was held on 17 October 1956.

You can still see threshing mills made by William Wright, later Wright Brothers around the Scottish rally fields. Like a number of them, they changed their business organisation to different business models and ways of working.

The Wright Bros threshing machine was photographed at New Deer Show, August 2014.

One of the well-known names of agricultural implement makers and agents in Fife was Farm Mechanisation Co. Ltd, of Ladybank, established by Gavin Reekie in 1947.

From its earliest days its name was closely associated with Massey Ferguson. Indeed, the company was set up to market the Ferguson TE20 tractor with its revolutionary three-point linkage. In 1958 its strapline was “The Massey harris and Ferguson people”. You will see the Farm Mechanisation badge on many Fergies and MF tractors round the rally fields!

As we saw a few weeks ago, the Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement undertook an important survey of agriculture and rural improvement in Britain from 1793 to 1817. This series was referred to as the County Agricultural Surveys, with each report having the title “General View of the Agriculture of the County of …”.
The accounts contained detailed accounts of the implements and machines used in each county, together with the changes that were being made to them.

The account or Midlothian, written by George Robertson, describes implements and machines from a leading agricultural district in Scotland. So what were the implements and machines that were used in such a district?

“Not many years since, implements were few in number, and rudely constructed. They have undergone much alteration of late, and several instruments of labour have been added to the former list.
The plough formerly used was the Scotch, long and heavy, yet well adapted to the powerful draught of 4 or 6 horses, that were frequently applied. When it was perceived that 2 horses were sufficient for every purpose of tillage, this simple implement was constructed on a lesser scale, but the original proportions still retained. It has since been improved in principle, (made somewhat resemblant to the Rotherham plough) by the late Mr Small at Ford, in this county, who has, on true mechanical principles, modified the mould-board into such a form of curvature, as to make less resistance to the earth as it is turned up, by which it requires less force to draw it, than any other plough known in this country; while the furrow itself is gradually laid over to its proper position.
The mouldboard, as well as the sheath, is now generally made of cast-iron, on the inside of which is an inscription, bearing, Mr Small’s name, the name of the founders (Cooper and Barker) and, what is principally intended,-the approbation of the dalkeith Farmer Society. It is now universal all over Scotland, and perhaps were it better known in England, it might come to displace the complicated ploughs with wheels and other trumpery with which agriculture there is at present encumbered; as it is not apt to be put out of order, but simple in the construction, and effective in operation, it is adapted to almost every situation. The chain, connected with the muzzle, by which it is drawn, fixed as far back as the culture, is not essential to its formation, serving merely to strengthen the beam, which may be made stronger of itself at less expense, while the tillage is as accurately performed with ploughs that have none. The price is from 40s to 50s.
The harrows, of which there are several kinds, is customarily made of four bulls, connected by four flots, generally four feet square, weighing about 48 lbs avoirdupois, besides having 20 iron tunes or teeth, of about 1lb wt each. Each harrow is always drawn by one horse; three of which are frequently yoked together under one driver. This implement may be improved in principle by altering the arrangement of the tunes. Thus, in the common harrow, the 20 tynes make only 11 different ruts, as several follow one another in the same tracts, and even those are not all effective, for two on each extreme corner, are so unconnected with the others, as not to be accounted in the work, seven ruts only being found properly done; from this it happens, that one harrow drawn by itself, covers only three feet of ground, two covers but about six, and three, which does however more in proportion, covers only ten; whereas, in the improved harrow, although it has only 16 types, yet as each tyne makes a separate rut, one harrow drawn by itself will cover 4 and 1/2 feet, two harrows will cover about eight feet, and three covers 12 feet, at the same time the ruts are only three inches 8-10ths asunder, but in the common harrow, they are six inches apart. A pair of harrows cost about a guinea.
Rollers are generally of free-stone, 5 1/2 feet long, 15 inches diameter, weighing, when mounted, about 12cwt drawn by two horses, and cost about two guineas. Every farmer has at least one, for soothing the grass-lands; to which it is peculiarly adapted; also for breaking the clods of rough land in tillage: in which it is not clear that it is so effective as the ancient clod-mallet; for although, in some cases, there may be more work for the same expense, in general there is less, and not so completely to the purpose, besides giving the whole land, without distinction, the same pressure, whether necessary or not.
Of drilling and being instruments there are many; usually of a plain and effective construction. The drill-barrow for sowing one row at a time, is a simple machine, adapted to different grains, and small seeds, in any required proportion. A machine of this kind, for sowing several drills at once, and at such different degrees of width as may be wanted, would be a great acquisition, provided it were not too complex.
It may be proper here to take notice of the weed-hook for cutting thistles, &c among standing corns, which, although but a simple instrument, is perhaps the most perfect of any we have. Notwithstanding, that it is constantly rubbing against the ground, when it is used, yet being concave in the underside, the edges are preserved entire for several years. It costs (without the staff) only 2 1/2d and weighs about 2oz. It is only made, so far as I know, in East Lothian, where it is to be had in the shops in Haddington.
The reaping fork, fro collecting into sheaves, corns that are cut with the scythe, will probably be adopted more generally, as the practice of mowing corn becomes more common. The prongs ate pushed below the swath, raising accurately the straw from the stubble, while other prongs serve the double purpose of retaining the cut corns from scattering backwards and of forming the size of the sheaf, which is regularly determined when the straw accumulates as high as the top of these prongs.
There can be no question, that with this implement corn can be collected faster and more regularly into sheaves, than merely by hand labour.
Wheel carriages, employed in husbandry, are only the close-cart, and the corn-cart, both of a light construction; drawn by two horses, and of late by one. The large wains, or heavy four-horse wagons, in English husbandry, are reprobated here. Two horses in a cart are commonly loaded with 18 or 20 cwt. One horse draws still more than 12cwt; even 24cwt is frequently put into single horse, and 30 cwt on good road is not uncommon. This cart has lately been much improved: placed on its axle, the bottom at each side projects over the inner head to the naves as far as nearly to touch the spokes of the wheels; from which acquired breadth, the capacity is enlarged, while the side standards being brought nearer to a perpendicular, are able to sustain more weight. The dimensions are, length five feet three inches; breadth below, four feet; breadth above, four feet three inches; depth, one foot three inches; containing about a cubic yard. Price of a cart, painted 1l 15s not including wheels, axle, nor mounting, which may amount in all to 7l or 8l more. The corn cart, which is only placed occasionally on wheels, for carrying hay, or corn in the straw, is composed of standards, roods, and spars, without deals, but is broader and much longer than the close-cart, that it may hold a more bulky load. It costs from 20s to 30s.
Fanners, for cleaning corn, have been in general use here for more than fifty years. They run 12 bolls an hour, and in two operation, or in three at most, the corn is completely cleaned; four people are necessary to attend them, for sifting, riddling, &c. Some fanners perform these operations also by which two persons less are required. They cost from 2l to 5l and last 20 to 30 years.
Threshing mills, lately introduced, were very soon afterwards introduced into this county. They are now very general, and of various dimensions and construction, wrought by one, or two, or four horses, or by water, which last is the best method of all. One horse mills will thresh a boll in an hour, the others, in that proportion or more. They cost from 25l to 60l: some perhaps more, particularly when they are made to clean the corn at the same time, which requires more machinery, as well as more space.

Quite a change from today’s implements and machines!

The photos of the wooden implements were taken at Daviot vintage rally in past years.

In the days when the oat crop was sown by hand, high cut ploughing facilitated the sowing of the crop. When the seed was broadcast the seed rolled to the bottom of the small sharp pointed furrows which were to be cross-harrowed. The cross harrowing broke down the tops of the furrows, evenly covering the seed to a consistent depth.

In Scotland the most noted maker of high cut ploughs was Robert Begg & Son, Implement Works, Dalry.

Robert Begg set up as a ploughmaker in Dalry, Ayrshire in 1864. By 1914 he could advertise in The Scottish farmer: “R. Begg, 50 years reputation, Dalry, Ayrshire”.

By April 1876 Robert was advertising his ploughs in the North British Agriculturist. In 1903 he described himself as an agricultural implement maker, a retail ironmonger, a smith and a smith and farrier. By 1912 he was joined by his sons, naming his business Robert Begg & Sons. Robert died in early 1927. His business was carried on his son, John. John died by 1941 and the business was transferred to Robert Wilson, Barrhead, who continued it under Begg’s name. In 1951 the business became incorporated as Robert Begg & Sons Limited, but was out of existence by October 1976 and was dissolved in the following year.

Begg’s business was associated with Sharon Street, Dalry, where it is recorded in 1886 and into at least the 1950s. From 1914 his address was the “Implement Works, Dalry.”

Robert Begg took an important step in developing his business in 1912 when he exhibited at his first Highland Show, held in that year at Cupar. This was the start of an association with the show that continued, more or less continuously, until 1960. Begg also took the important step of entering a plough into the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland’s exhibition of farm tractors and tractor implements in 1922. In following years, he also entered ploughs and other exhibits for the Society’s new implement award: in 1923, a double furrow self-lift tractor plough with self-lifting gear, and in 1928, Falconer’s patent mouldboard and Falconer’s coulter.
While Begg’s business changed with the times, so too did his ploughs. In 1914, Robert made a range of ploughs which included drill ploughs, double furrow ploughs, as well as bar point chill ploughs and chill ploughs. His chill ploughs were sold under the name “The Begg”.

In 1926, Begg’s ploughs included a double furrow-self lift tractor plough, with moveable points and swivel disc coulter (sold at £36 10s), a moveable point plough, with double wheels for lea and stubble ploughing (£10 10s), chill plough, plain beam, single wheel, for lea and stubble ploughing (£9). As well as drill ploughs, he also sold baulking ploughs, diamond harrows, zig zag harrows, grubbers and drill harrows.

In 1956 the “Begg” tractor ploughs included power lift ploughs, single furrow general purpose; power lift, double furrow, general purpose, single furrow, bar point digger, single furrow, spring-loaded bar point, three furrow general purpose and double furrow with adjustable land wheel.

Begg’s ploughs were also well-known on the ploughing match fields. For example, in 1925 it sold its “prize chill ploughs” and in 1928 and 1929 its “champion swing ploughs”.

Today, you can still see Begg’s ploughs at some of the ploughing matches and at vintage agricultural machinery rallies around the country. Ask anyone who Begg was and they will say a leading ploughmaker from Ayrshire.

The photographs of of the high cut ploughing were taken at the Scottish Ploughing Championships, October 2016 ad the World Ploughing Championships, Crockey Hill, September 2016. The photographs of the Begg plough were taken at the Scottish National Tractor Show, September 2015.

The business of Alexander Newlands & Sons is recorded in Linlithgow from 1880, having previously been set up in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

From the 1880s onwards it specialised in the making of ploughs, grubbers and harrows. Later it ventured into horse rakes. In 1900 its manufactures included a two horse swing plough; medium drill plough with marker; baulking drill plough; combined drill and potato plough; one horse drill grubber; horse or drill hoe as a drill grubber; house or drill hoe as a ridging up plough; field grubber; diamond harrows; and drill scarifier.

During its life time, the business underwent a number of significant changes. These included its incorporation as a company limited by guarantee on 6 May 1920. This allowed Alexander to reorganise his business and prepare it for the future. The memorandum and article of association of the new company provide information on the transformation of the company and also the activities it could undertake:

“The objects for which the company is established are:
(1) Primarily and without prejudice to the other objects of the company to take over (and purchase) from Messrs Newlines & Sons, agricultural implement makers and engineers, the business of implement makers and engineers, carried by them at Linlithgow and Stirling, together with the goodwill of such business and the whole or any part of the heritable and moveable property, leases, and rights, patents, and others, held and enjoyed in connection with such business and to undertake all or any of the burdens and obligations of such business.
(2) To carry on in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, all or any of the following trades or businesses, viz, implement makers, mechanical and manufacturing engineers, electrical engineers, maritime, locomotive, and other engine builders, machine and engineering tool makers, boilermakers, shipbuilders, ship repairers, shipwrights, shipowners, ship equippers, ship chandlers, barge owners, warehousemen, iron masters, colliery proprietors, miners, farmers, metalurgists, smelters, steel converters, founders of iron and brass and of metals of all kinds, smiths, plumbers, electricians, suppliers of electricity for purposes of light, heat, motive power, or otherwise, manufacturers, repairers, dealers, importers, and merchants, of motor cars, motor cycles, motor engines, motor ploughs, tractors, and implements, or any part or parts thereof, waggon builders, and repairers, timber merchants, carpenters, joiners, coach builders, and repairers, contractors for public and private works, builders, commission agents, forwarding agents, carriers, merchants, and dealers in timber, rubber, iron, steel, metal, granite, and whinstone, brickmakers and manufacturers of products from iron, steel, granite, whinstone, and other metals and minerals, and to act as traders, merchants, and dealers in relation to all or any substances or products produced in such trades or businesses, or any of them.
(3) To manufacture products from timber, leather, rubber, metals, minerals, and clays, and to dispose thereof, and to manufacture into marketable commodities, and to sell, dispose of, or use all residual or by-products resulting from the manufactures or operations in which the company may be engaged. …”

The company had a share capital of £16,000, divided into 16,000 shares of £1 each. A total of 7,000 of the shares were preferential shares; the remaining 9,000 shares were ordinary shares. The first directors were all members of the Newlands family – Alexander, George and Peter.

The governing document of the company allowed it to undertake a wide range of activities, and to diversify where this was found to be necessary. It is very unlikely that the company would have used all its powers.

The company continued in business until 9 September 1986 when it was dissolved.

One of the well known implement and machine makers in Perthshire was J. Bisset & Sons, Marlee, which was already trading in 1867. It continued in business until the mid 1960s. On 16 June 1966 the company passed a resolution to voluntarily wind up the company. It was dissolved on 20 November 1970. The company was noted for its reaping machines and binders, as well as its potato diggers.
Like a number of the other Scottish agricultural implement and machine makers, it re-organised its business and became a company limited by guarantee. It became incorporated on 19 February 1897.

If you were a farmer or an agriculturist in Deeeside from the late 1820s onwards you would have been familiar with the name of Cumming & Dempster, of Dee Street, Banchory.

The tractor and machinery dealer started like a number of the other tractor dealers across Scotland. At first it was an cycle agent and dealer and a motor engineer and garage. It later became involved in the agricultural sector. By 1950 the company described itself as “Cumming & Dempster, agricultural engineers and implement agents, Banchory”. In 1960 its main activities were as an agricultural engineer, a motor engineer and a motor engineer and agent.

If you were a farmer or agriculturist in Scotland in 1963 and you wanted to buy a tractor plough you could purchase one from a number of makers.

English makers included Bristol Tractors Ltd, David Brown Tractors (Sales) Ltd, County of Devon Engineering Co. Ltd, Fisher Humphries and Co. Ltd, International Harvester Company of Great Britain Ltd, Martin Markham Ltd, Massey-Ferguson (UK) Ltd, Ransomes Sims & Jefferies Ltd, and the Wexford Engineering Co Ltd.

The were still a small number of Scottish plough makers of major significance, who were known nationally and internationally. They included William Begg & Sons, Tarbolton, Machine, Ayrshire. The company had a range of ploughs for different tractors including Massey ferguson, Fordson Major, International, Nuffield: a hydraulic mounted plough, suitable for Ferguson tractors, single-furrow, general purpose, to which lea and stubble bodies can be fitted; a trailing, single furrow, 16 inch by 12 inch general purpose, trip cord operated lift (a geo furrow was also available); a trailing, two furrow, trip cord operated lift, with a width of 7-12 inch furrows; a hydraulic mounted, two furrow general purpose plough; and a hydraulic mounted, two furrow digger type with a width of 12 inch or 14 inch furrow.

Also, in Ayrshire Robert Begg & Son Ltd, Implement Works, Sharon Street, Dalry, had a selection including:
Tractor plough, RBS1, power lift single furrow
Tractor plough, RSB2, power lift double furrow
Bar point plough, RBS3, power lift single furrow
Bar point plough, RSB3, power lift single furrow spring loaded
Bar point plough (long frame), RBS4, power lift double furrow
Bar point plough (short frame), RBS4, power lift double furrow.

Cruikshank & Co., Ltd, Denny, Stirlingshire, had its “Denny” fitted with either dual or dandy spring loaded bar point bottoms, or Scotch bottom (point and wing).

A. Newlands & Sons Ltd, Linlithgow, had a range of ploughs. These included:
Bar point plough, 2 furrow NLD Parallel, with depth control
Bar point plough, 2 furrow, NLD parallel, without depth control
Reversible plough, 2 furrow one way
Power lift plough, 3 furrow, with depth control
Power lift plough, 3 furrow, without depth control
Power lift plough, 2 furrow wide frame, with depth control
Power lift plough, 2 furrow wide frame, without depth control
Power lift plough, 2 furrow NTP, with depth control
Power lift plough, 2 furrow, NTP, without depth control
Power lift plough, single furrow, with depth control
Power lift plough, single furrow, without depth control.

George Sellar & Son Ltd, Great Northern Road, Aberdeen also had a range of ploughs. These included its bar point mounted ploughs, “Sellar Landlord” L2/3-30, L/2, F3-30, and R2 reversible.

In 1960 farmers could still purchase a plough from a Scottish maker with a national and international reputation. They manufactured a range, with different features and methods of control.

If you were to look at the picture of plough making in 2000 you would see a very different picture with English and European makers dominating the market.

The photographs were taken at a range of rallies and vintage events throughout Scotland from 2014 onwards.

As we saw a few weeks ago, the Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement undertook an important survey of agriculture and rural improvement in Britain from 1793 to 1817. This series was referred to as the County Agricultural Surveys, with each report having the title “General View of the Agriculture of the County of …”.

Writing the Ayrshire survey, William Aiton states the following about ploughs and plough making in Ayrshire. It provides an interesting account of developments and the spread of more modern and improved designs from neighbouring Lanarkshire and an eminent plough maker there:

“The state in which the implements of labour are found in any district, may serve as another index for judging of the taste of the farmers, the progress of agriculture, and of refinement.
As agriculture was sooner attended to, and made greater progress in England; the implements of labour were brought to considerable perfection there, when they remained very clumsy, and but ill constructed in Scotland. But as soon as improvements were attempted in the soil, corresponding improvements were begin to be made in the construction and finishing of all sorts of implements of husbandry. From what I have seen of the implements in both countries, I am disposed to believe, that those in Scotland are now as properly constructed as those in England. I have seen a much greater profusion of utensils in the hands of English improvers, both in Scotland and England, than are generally used by Scotsmen. But if the are fewer in number in Scotland, they are generally constucted there more agreeably to mechanic principles, than they frequently are on the other side of the Tweed. The wheel ploughs I have seen used in England, and many other of their implements, are not formed according to the rules of mechanism, and are attended with a waste of power. It must be acknowledged, however, that though the Scots form their implements of husbandry on better plans, they d not finish them so handsomely, as is usually done in England. Perhaps the Scotch farmers are, as yet, too sparing in their implements of labour; but I am convinced that the generality of English farmers make by far too many farm utensils. There is no doubt great room for improvements in Scotland, both as to the structure and execution of implements, and I am happy to find that improvements are making in them every year.
Ploughs
The Scotch plough, of the strongest and most clumsy construction, was in general use in the county of Ayr, till near the end od the 18th century. Swing and wheel ploughs, as then formed in England, were used by the Earls of Eglinton and Loudon, as early as 1750, and by several other noblemen and gentlemen in Ayrshire, soon after that period. But it was not till after 1790, that the Scotch plough was generally abandoned.
The head of the Scotch plough was of wood, from 2 to 3 feet long, and about 6 or 8 inches on each square. The sock was 8 inches diameter at the hinter end, and near 2 feet long. The beam from 6 to 9 feet long, and nearly 20 inches long at the middle. There wrest about 2 1/2 feet in length, and the stilts or handles about 5 or 6 feet long.
It required great power to move this monster of a plough, but when rightly constructed, it cut and set up a well shaped furrow, of large dimensions, and it was well calculated for labouring land which was stiff and bendy, or much encumbered with small stones. As it was but partially covered with iron, much power was wasted in friction. This plough was begun about 1775 to be formed more handsomely than in former times. The English swing ploughs, Rutherglen plough. and Small’s plough, began to be introduced, and others made after their construction; some of which were tolerably well, and others very indifferently executed.
But the best plough ever used in the county of Ayr, or probably in Britsin, is constructed by Mr John Wilkie, formerly in Vambuslang, now in Uddingston, near Hamilton. “This profound artist, has had the good fortune to discover everything requisite to the construction of a complete plough; and has formed an implement, the best adapted to the purpose, of any thing that has yet appeared in this county (Lanarkshire)-It turns up a furrow with a bold shoulder, like that for which the Scotch plough was valued. Its shape, like that of a well tapered wedge, turns over the soil, with the application of very moderate powers, and its broad winged share, leaves nothing unstirred.” -General view of Clydesdale, by John Naismith, Esq, p. 94.
As several hundred of Mr Wilkie’s ploughs have found their way to Ayrshire, and their superiority to all others being now admitted, by all who have used them; and as the plough-wrights in Ayrshire, have procured draughts of that plough, with casts of its mould board, and are now making it their model, I considered it my duty to apply Mr Wilkie for every possible information anent that excellent plough. I did not apply in vain; for Mr Wilkie was not only at the greatest possible pains to show and explain to me every thing regarding it; but he also drew up a particular description in writing, of his celebrated plough, which, with his permission, I insert in his own words.
“Uddingston, 15th January, 1810
Sir, In compliance with your request, I shall endeavour to give you a short account of the alterations and improvements which I have made upon the plough, within these last fifteen years. About the year 1794, the only plough in general use in this part of the country, and through the western parts of Scotland, so far as I know, was the old Scotch plough, and that constructed by Mr Small, cart and plough-wright in Midlothian. These ploughs were either procured from Mr Small himself, or from other plough makers in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, who had been instructed by him. They had acquired such celebrity, that many plough-wrights, in different parts of Scotland, endeavoured to copy them. But as some of the artists, who attempted to do so, did not fully understand the principles on which these ploughs were constructed, many of those who were made after the figure of Mr Small’s plough, and of course obtained his name, were far from being equal to those made by himself, or according to the original design.
About that time, Mr Thomas Findlay, farmer in Cambuslang, an intimate friend of mine, procured one of the ploughs made by Mr Small, or on his model, which he found made very bad work, especially on lea land. Mr Findlay, who is a very intelligent man, and had paid attention to the principles of mechanisation, immediately constructed a plough, somewhat improved, as he thought, in the wood work: and to which he affixed Mr Small’s mould board and iron work. The plough so constructed was found to be in many respects superior to those formed on Mr Small’s plan, as will be explained in course.
Being often in company with Mr Findlay, our conversation frequently turned upon improving the form of the plough; in consequence of which I gave up with another profession, to make plough making my sole business.
From 1794 to 1798. I formed the wood-work of all the ploughs which I made, on the improved plans suggested by Mr Findlay; but I still continued to use Mr Small’s mould board. During that period, however, my ploughs did nt reach farther than my immediate neighbourhood; which is generally a strong clay soil. Though my ploughs, at that time, made better work than those formerly used; yet they did not cut out such a deep and narrow furrow as the farmers wished, and did not make near work in lea land.
As the principal defect seemed to me to lie in the twist, or curve of the mould board, I put my invention to the rack, to get it remedied. After examining ploughs, of every construction, within my reach, I was of opinion, the twist ought to be more gentle than formerly, towards the point of the sock, or share, and that it should become gradually quicker or fuller, until the furrow has been set nearly on edge, after which the resistance of the furrow is diminished, by making the twist more gentle towards the hinder part of the mould board.
On these principles, I constructed a new mould board, altogether different from any I had ever seen, or that was then in use; and made many trials and alterations on its curve or twist, till I last fixed on that which I have since used. Of its merits it would be improper for me to speak. The approbation of almost all the farmer societies on the western counties of Scotland, and of the generality of the farmers who have used my ploughs; the numerous and increasing orders I have received, and the many thousands of ploughs in these parts, that have been made by other artists, on the model of my plough, or as near as they can follow it, are the best proofs of its superior utility.
I have in the course of the last eleven years, made and sold upwards of 2,500 ploughs, and the demand is increasing every year. Mr John Guthrie, in Mount, near Kilmarnock, ordered one of my ploughs about the year 1800; the first of my making that reached the shire of Ayr: and that gentleman has received many ploughs from me since that period, for himself and his numerous friends. In the year 1802. 17 ploughs were ordered by farmers in Ayrshire, and the number increased every year until 1806, they amounted to 84 for that year: and they have continued ever since, at or near that number annually; although several hundreds have since been made on the same model by plough-wrights in Ayrshire.” …
In so far as my knowledge of that plough extends, I am satisfied that it is the best every yet invented. I have not indeed had an opportunity os using it myself, for I have not had a plough of my own since it came into general use. But from having seen and examined it with all the attention I was capable of, having seen the beautiful work which it makes; in the ease with which it is drawn; heard the concurring testimony of plowmen and plough makers, every where in its behalf; and seen almost every plough-wright in the western counties, endeavouring to make their ploughs upon the same model, I conceive that Mr Wilkie’s plough is far superior to all others.”

Lots of significant developments!

The photographs were taken at the Daviot Vintage Rally, October 2017.