A widely used potato digger was “the Champion” made by John Wallace and Sons, Graham Square, Glasgow, one of the major Scottish implement and machine makers. The company existed in various forms until the late 1960s, when it was absorbed into another much larger company, resulting in the loss of the Wallace name.
“The Champion” appears to have been patented in 1874 when John Wallace was granted a patent for the invention of “improvements in potato diggers”. In October 1880 “The Champion” was described as a “patent first prize: potato digger. An advert in the North British Agriculturalist, the national Scottish agricultural newspaper at that time, noted that it had won a number of awards at leading agricultural shows:
“Awarded first prize at “Glasgow Agricultural Society’s Digger Competition” in 1877.
Awarded first and second prizes “Glasgow Agricultural Society’s Digger Competition” in 1878.
Awarded first prize and special “Silver medal” at “Peterborough Agricultural Society’s Digger Competition” in 1879.
Awarded special silver medal by “Long Sutton Agricultural Society” in 1879.
Awarded first prize at “The Royal Manchester and Liverpool Agricultural Society’s Digger Competition” on 26th August 1880.”
Awarded silver medal by “The Wirral and Birkenhead Agricultural Society” in 1880.
In 1881 it was to be awarded a third prize of £5 from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. There were to be more in following years.
John Wallace and Sons advertised the digger ad having “thorough efficiency” and as “being the best digger in the market”. (North British Agriculturist, 6 October 1880). In October 1882 it provided further details of why it was so successful: “The only digger made which has a lifting sock which can be thrown up clear of all obstruction when digging one way or going along the road.
Wherever used, our potato digger is acknowledged to be one of the best labour-saving, therefore one of the most profitable implements of the present day.” In the following year it was also described as being “light of draught, simple, easy to work, and a thoroughly efficient digger.
The digger continued to be improved and fitted with the latest innovations. The Orcadian of 4 December 1909 carried an advert for “Wallace’s champion potato digger. Never been beaten. Fitted with roller bearings and all the latest improvements.” By 1913 it could be supplied with steel pole or front wheel.
There were further developments to the digger by 1919. At the Highland Show of that year The Scotsman of 8 July noted that “The new “Champion” potato digger, with patent adjustable graips, not only makes potato lifting an easy matter, but it has the merit of raising the crop without damage.” Even in 1933 that digger was at the forefront of its manufactures at the Royal Show (The Scotsman, 4 July 1933).
References to “The Champion” continued until at least 1945. The Wood Brothers at Blair Drummond by Stirling continued to sell the potato spinner for tractor or horse.
