It is always interesting to read accounts of how the implement trade has fared, especially during difficult economic times. The First World War – 1914-18 – was a challenging time for Scottish farmers for a whole host of reasons. The Daily record published an account of the agricultural implement trade on 2 January 1917. It notes the challenges (including competition from overseas countries) and successes of the trade during the year. It is worth quoting at length:
“Agricultural implements
The agricultural implement branch of the engineering trade report a favourable year’s business as to volume, but all are not agreed that it has been profitable. The prices are to some extent regulated by the severe competition in certain lines from the United States, and we have to thank the high freights of the past year, which have given the home makers a more equal chance.
Spring implements sold out as fast as they could be made. The hay crop, which was a bulky one, coupled with the long-drawn-out operation of gathering it, consequent on. unfavourable weather, made a good demand on the makers of mowers, rakes and hay-makers. Perhaps the call for grain harvesting machinery did not reach expectations, but here again the unfavourable weather affected sales, this time adversely.
It is strange, but true, that 1916 will be remembered as the year when early districts were late, and vice-versa. Potato digger sales probably reached a record for the home trade, notwithstanding the shortage of the crop, but in this case the high prices prevailing for potatoes induced many to purchase who would not ordinarily have done so. Another cause for the increased demand was the lateness of the season, which, with the small amount of labour available, made it necessary to use mechanical means of saving the crop.
In our last report we made reference to the use of mechanical tractors for field use, but although a year has elapsed we cannot say that a great deal of progress has been made. Sales there have been, principally in the southern portion of England, but the disadvantages of the present types in use have been in consequence coming to the surface as well as the advantages. In all likelihood we shall see in a few years a type of tractor more reasonable in weight, adapted not alone for crops grown on the flat, but probably also designed to permit of working green crops, where these are usually grown in ridges or drills. Then in a sense it is vexing to know that huge orders may be had for countries such as Russia and other Allies, but that home makers, because of the difficulty of getting raw material and labour, are simply compelled to turn them down.”
