One of the most successful potato planters of the early twentieth century was the Richmond potato planter, developed by Mr T. G. Richmond of Dron, Fife. It came to be manufactured by John Wallace & Sons, Paton Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow, one of the major implement and machine makers in Scotland. It was seen as an advance in design on existing potato planters. It was also very efficient: it did not plant “blanks” or doubles (ie more than one tuber in a space).
The Richmond potato planter was first demonstrated at Brickhall, Bridge of Earn in July 1905. Another trial was made on that farm in March 1906. It was well attended by many well known farmers. An account of it was published in the Dundee courier of 24 March 1906:
“Improvements in potato planter
Great improvements (writes a correspondent) have been made on the old potato planter by Mr T. G. Richmond of Dron. These improvements have been on the shape of the cup, the tipping of which gets rid of extra potatoes, while retaining a good hold of the potato therein. These along with the alteration of the formation of the hopper tends to the work of the new Richmond patent approaching, it is said, almost to a perfect potato planter. With it there is little danger of doubles, and blanks are unknown, while the potatoes are never smashed. A trial was made on Thursday afternoon on Brickhall Farm, and in 180 yards there was only one blank. The test was made with four different kinds of seeds-(1) Up-to-Dates dressed between 1 ¼ inch and 15/8 inch riddle, (2) the same kind dressed between 1 ½ inch and 2 inch riddle, (3) Langworthys dressed between 1 1/4 inch and 1 5/8 inch riddle. (4) mixture of cut and uncut Dates-and in all cases it made satisfactory work. Its planting was far superior to that by hand for regularity. The trial took place in the presence of many well-known agriculturists, among those being the Hon Alastair Murray, Scones, Lethendy; Roy, Kirkton; Law, Windyedge; Strang, Moneydie; Smith, Eastfield; Taylor, Broombarns; Stevens, Kilgraston; McNaughton, lochelbank; Allan, Dalcrue; Philip, Dunning; Leitch, factor, Mincreiffe; Dr Govan, Taylor and Cameron, Bridge of Earn; Wilson, of Messrs Watt. Seedsmen, Perth; Drummond, Fordell; &c.”
There were further trials of it Another one took place in November 1906 at Dairsie Mains. It too was well-attended. An account of the trial was published in the St Andrews citizen of 17 November 1906:
“Another labour-saving implement
The inventor’s brain is never idle, and one of his latest products is another labour-saving implement to benefit the farmer. The potato-digger has revolutionised the old method of lifting the potato crop; and now we have a potato-planter that is evidently designed to effect a similar revolution in putting the seed into the ground. Such an implement is not altogether new; but practical men, who had an opportunity of seeing “Richmond’s Potato Planter” at work on Mr F. W. Christie’s farm of Dairsie Mains on Saturday, frankly acknowledged its superiority over anything yet devised. The inventor is well-known to Fife people as a daring rider at the Point-to-Point races at Bruntshiels, and comes of an inventive race, his father, Mr Richmond of Dron, being the inventor of the Richmond drier. The high-lying part of a field to the east of Dairsie Church (and in remarkably dry condition considering the previous rains), was prepared by Mr Christie for the exhibition trials, and among those taking a warm interest in the test were Mr Richmond himself, Mr Christie; Mr R. W. R. Mackenzie of Earlshall; Mr Orchison of Denbrae; Mr Millar and Mr Wm Millar, Nydie; Mr Bogie, Balass; Mr Fleming, Prestonhall; Mr McKerracher, Mayfield; Mr Dryburgh, Orkie, &c. Th eplanter, which is constructed to cover two rows at a time, consists of two hoppers into which the seed is placed. Passing up through these hoppers are revolving chains with cups attached. As the chains go round, the cups take away the seed and deposit them on the bottom of the drill wonderfully steady, at an average interval of 10 to 12 inches. A feature of the implement which gained general approval is the manner in which it rectifies doubles. Owing to the elevation of the track along which the chain travels, and the shape of the cups themselves, any excess over the required seed are constantly thrown back into the hopper; and only a very small percentage of doubles ever find their way through. The planter was first tested with whole Up-to-Dates, then with whole Langworthys (which owing to their shape occasioned the severest test), and finally with cut potatoes; and the machine came through each test with gratifying success. It is claimed for it that with a lad and a horse it can plant from 7 to 8 acres a day-the work of 7 to 8 people; and by means of a tilting lever, it can be readily adjusted to plant uphill or downhill. Representatives of Mr John Wallace & Sons (Ltd), Glasgow, who are intrusted with the sale of the implement were also on the ground giving information about its working.”
The planter quickly became recognised for its efficiency. On 8 April 1908 the Perthshire advertiser noted that “another implement which is much wanted at present is the Richmond potato planter. So great is the demand for this very efficient article that the makers cannot turn it out fast enough, and are refusing orders for this season. It also has come to stay, for planting potatoes by hand is both slow and expensive.”
The planter continued to be widely used over the following decades. It continued to be found at displenishing sales into the 1940s and 1950s. In 1946 (13 November) The Scotsman noted them at Cauldcoats, Portobello (Mrs Gilchrist). In 1948 (23 October) it also noted one for sale at Lanark Auction Mart. The Aberdeen press and journal recorded one on 28 February 1948 at the Central Mart, Aberdeen. In 1950 (16 November) the Dundee courier reported one at Lumbennie, Newburgh (Mr Geo. Low).
