There have been numerous developments in potato planters since the latter part of the nineteenth century. Inventors and makers included farmers, blacksmiths, implement makers and their businesses; some makers took on designs that they considered would be successful.
One farmer who was also an inventor was Thomas Pate, jun, of Emmock Farm, Dundee. In 1934 he was awarded a patent for a mechanical potato planter. The following account of the planter was described by the Kirriemuir free press and Angus advertiser in its columns of 1 March 1934:
“ Kirriemuir farmer’s son’s invention
Improved potato planter
Full patent rights granted
Full patent rights for an improved potato planter have been granted to its inventor-Mr Thomas Pate, junior, Emmock, Dundee, son of Mr Thomas Pate, farmer, Reedie, Kirriemuir.
Mr Pate’s invention marks a new stage in mechanical potato planting. It relates to machines for planting potatoes of that type, to quote the official patent specification, in which an endless chain of buckets takes the potatoes from a hopper and tilts them into a delivery tube. Its principal claim to distinction is that it will plant potatoes of different sizes.
By a simple device the “buckets” automatically adjust themselves to the size of the potato, which is carried sweetly to the delivery tube, without fear of clogging, and a regular planting of the seed tubers is provided.
A practical demonstration will likely be arranged in view of the interest that will be aroused. Mr Pate, who is widely recognised as a capable farmer, has farmed Emmock for 20 years, a holding which he purchased in 1920. His father, who is now at Reedie, framed Balydown, Dundee, for 19 years after he migrated from the Lesmahagow district of Lanarkshire.”
Thomas Pate was a very successful farmer. Four years after he developed his potato planter, he extended his farming operations to take on an additional lease. He was involved in supporting agriculture and agricultural policy. In July 1938, the Dundee courier referred to him as a “go ahead farmer”:
“Go ahead farmer
Mr Thomas Pate, jun, Emmock Farm, Dundee, who has just taken a lease of South Powrie, on Fothringham estate, belongs to Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, although he has lived nearly all his life in the Dundee area.
As a boy he came with his father to Balmydown, which farm adjoins Emmock. He took over Emmock in 1914 and bought it in 1920. Running both Emmock and South Powrie, Mr Pate will now farm some 570 acres.
Since he took up farming on his own account Mr Pate has become one of the leading agriculturists in the county. He became a member of the National Farmers’ Union and Chamber of Agriculture in 1917, and is now in his second year of office as chairman of Dundee branch and president of Angus executive.
Some years ago Mr Pate was co-opted to assist in the agricultural education work promoted by Angus County Council. In this sphere he has done much experimental work. He is also a member of the Angus and West Perthshire Wages Committee, the body recently formed to fix minimum wages for agricultural workers.
Made potato planting easier
A few years ago Mr Pate made an important contribution to the improvement of agricultural machinery. He produced a new type of potato planter, which, by means of an endless chain of buckets, plants potatoes of different sizes.
By a simple device the buckets automatically adjust themselves to the size of the potato.
Apart from farming, Mr Pate’s chief interest is his church work. He has been an elder at Mains and Strathmartine for many years.
Mr Pate, sen, now lives near Kirriemuir.”
