One of the prominent names in the making of potato planters (and potato diggers) was Robert Kyd of Coupar Angus, Perthshire.
He first brought attention to his manufactures in the North British Agriculturist on 28 July 1875. He attended local shows including Angus Agricultural Association and Perth Agricultural Show as well as the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland where he was a regular exhibitor from 1879 until 1900 as well as a keen competitor of his implements and machines. He entered the Highland Society’s trial of potato diggers in 1881 and the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s trials of potato raising machines in 1887. He also entered the Highland Society’s trial of combined reapers and binders, or lifting and binding machines in 1882.
Kyd quickly gained a reputation for his implements and machines. In 1887 his two row potato planter was “now so well and favourably known as to require no description or comment”. By 1896 the Dundee Advertiser could state that “he has been getting quite a name far afield”. By that time he was well noted for his potato diggers as well as ploughs and drill ploughs. All of his implements showed “good workmanship”.
His potato planters and diggers were favourably commented on in key trials. These include those of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland and the Royal Agricultural Society of England. The following accounts provide a flavour of that esteem:
Interesting trial of potato planters (from Huntly express, 26 April 1884)
The potato planters selected at the Inverness show last year were tried on Tuesday, in a field at the farm if Dunain near Inverness, granted by Mr Bailie of Dochfour, who also gave the use of his horses and furnished seed for the trials. The machines entered were no. 98, 99, and 100 in the catalogue of the Inverness Show, and exhibited by Messrs G. W. Murray & Co., Banff, and no. 555, exhibited by Mr R. Kyd, Coupar-Angus. Another machine entered for competition by Mr Dewar, Strathmartin, Dundee, was withdrawn. As the machines had been kept in possession of the Society since the date of the show in July last, the exhibitors were allowed a short preliminary trial, so as to get them into proper working order, after which the judges proceeded to test their merits. The judges were Mr Harris, Earnhill, Forres; Mr James Mollison, Dochgarroch; Mr D. Paterson, Balrobert; and Mr Anderson of Lochdhu. After very careful trials, the judges agreed to report to the directors as follows:-That they should award the first prize of £15 to Mr Robert Kyd, Coupar-Angus, for his double drill machine; the second prize of £10 to Messrs G. W. Murray & Co., Banff, for their two-row patent potato planter; third prize of £5 to Messrs Murray & Co., for their one row potato planter. The draught of the machines was very light for one horse. The machine to plant three rows with two horses was also tried, and although the judges considered its construction displayed considerable ingenuity, they did not think it so useful an implement as the others.
The “Royal” potato digging trials (from Farmer’s gazette and journal of practical horticulture, 8 October 1887)
The trial of potato diggers, under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, commenced on Tuesday, 4th inst, on Mr Fairbairn’s farm. Gosforth, near Newcastle. In the first class, for implements the price of which exceeded £5, the following manufacturers competed:-
1 J. D. Allan & Sons, Culthill Implement Works, Dunkeld; price £12 10s
2. Wm Elder, Berwick-on-Tweed, £13
3. Alex Jack & Son, Maybole, Ayrshire, £13
4. Robert Kyd, Coupar Angus, Perthshire, £13
5. Penney & Co., Limited, Lincoln, £16
6. Powell, Brothers & Whitaker, Wrexham, 313 13s
7. Moorhouse A. Thompson, Berwick-on-Tweed, £14.
The trial was conducted on a level field of rather light land, and resulted in the first prize of £20 being awarded to Messrs Powell, Brothers & Whitaker, of Wrexham; the machine entered by R. Kyd being reserved, and those entered by Mr Thompson and Messrs Allan being highly commended respectively. In the other competition, for implements costing less than £5, the first prize of £20 was awarded to a plough made by Mr Gregory, Westoe, South Shields; a second being awarded to Mr Elder, Berwick-on-Tweed, for a similar implement.”
In March 1904 Robert Kyd advertised that he was retiring from business. An advert in the Dundee courier 15 March 1904 noted “for sale, as a going concern, the old-established business of agricultural implement maker and blacksmith, carried on in Coupar Angus for the past 30 years by Robert Kydd, who is retiring.
The opening us an excellent one, and the connection valuable. Applications to L. R. Falconer, agent, Bank of Scotland, Coupar Angus, from whom full particulars.”
The sale of his business was slow, taking a number of years to undertake. An advert in the Dundee Courier in January 1907 noted that his business had been sold: “12 new two-row planters for sale. First prize, with all latest improvements. Reduced price, £10 each. Business sold.”
Robert Kyd died at Marris Cottage, George Street, Coupar Angus, on 29 November 1910.
