How were some of the key implement and machine makers advertising their spring implements in the agricultural and general press in the early 1930s?
While adverts tended to be short, they needed to include as much pertinent information as possible. They could note that they were selling spring implements and ask farmers and agriculturists to enquire. Some also listed the main ones as a way of highlighting what was available. These could quickly turn into a long list. Such a list could also get agriculturists to think about their future requirements, even into the early summer and into harvest time.
Rarely were specific prices of implements noted. More usually, it was that their prices were low. An advert from Sellars of Huntly in 1930 noted “keenest prices for all spring implements”.
A selection of adverts:
“Sellars steel frame broadcasts stand supreme for strength, durability, lightness in draught, and even distribution.
Keenest prices for all spring implements, new and second-hand.
Geo. Sellar & Son Limited, Glasgow Road, Perth” (from Perthshire advertiser, 15 March 1930)
“Farmers, take notice! Spring a surprise, and purchase your spring seeds, spring implements, and springtime requisites for this busy time of the year from Alex. McCutecion (onything fur the ferm).” (from Falkirk herald, 24 February 1934)
“Buy the best spring implements.
Tractors-International and Fordson, Tractor plows International and Cockshutt. Tractor grubbers, cultivators, soring tooth harrows. Broadcasts, land rollers. Manure distributors-Don and International.
Wm. Reid & Leys, Ltd, 9 Hadden Street, Aberdeen.” (from Aberdeen press and journal, 1 April 1937)
“Spring implements of all kinds, including tractor ploughs, grass and seed harrows, corn drills, cultivators, spring-toothed harrows, disc harrows, lawn rollers, etc-Thomas Duff, implement agent, Annan.” (from Dumfries and Galloway standard, 1 March 1939)
“Agricultural implements-Bamford’s supreme and McCormick sowers, broadcast seed sowers, disc harrows, cultivators, land rollers, and all spring implements at keenest prices-Alex Baird & Sons, Pleasance Works, Dumfries.” (from Dumfries and Galloway standard, 8 March 1939)
“Spring implements of all kinds, including tractor ploughs, cultivators, and disc harrows, corn drills, broadcast sowing machines, spring tooth harrows, McCormick manure distributors, land rollers, etc-Thomas Duff. Implement agent, 48 Whitesands, also at Annan and Lockerbie.” (from Dumfries and Galloway standard, 15 March 1939)
“Spring implements
Martin’s cultivators, Climax spring-tooth harrows, zig-zag and flexible harrows, manure distributors, horse hoes etc, in stock. Also spare parts.
Robertson & McLaren, agricultural engineers, Burnside Works, 19 Lower Craigs, Stirling.” (Stirling observer, 4 May 1939)
