Category: Out and about

In the 1880s and 1890s there were a number of new developments in hay making machinery that were to have a profound impact on the hayfield for many decades to come. One of these was the horse fork for the hay shed, an implement that came from America and was widely adopted in Scotland in a very short time. It was to be used in Scotland for many decades.

The North British Agriculturist described its introduction and use in an article published on 26 May 1877. It is worth quoting it at length:

“The hay shed horse fork

In America, the home of the horse fork, it is used to a much greater extent for storing hay inside hay-sheds or barns than what it is for outside ricks or stacks. Hay is a food in daily use throughout the whole winter, and must be so stored as to be easy of removal. Where the winters are severe, the ground covered with snow several feet deep for many months of the year, and snowstorms of frequent occurrence, outside stacking of hay is not in much repute, barns being much handier in severe weather. During recent years sheds for the storage of hay have been largely adopted on dairy and other farms here, their advantage being that the crop is always protected against rain, and is at any time ready for removal to the cattle; whereas with ricks the hay must be covered with a tarpaulin or straw every time a portion is removed-both methods entailed a good deal of expense in labour and material, as in a storm the tarpaulin cannot be kept on, and very soon goes done, while the straw, the quantity required to make it water-tight is very tight, and the waste of both labour, hay, and straw something excessive.

During the past season I had on trial an American grapple and spear-fork from a friend who had them direct from Canada some years ago, and must say I was particularly well pleased with both of them. The American double spear-fork is only about 2 ½ feet high and 1 ½ feet wide, either full or empty; and the grapple, although taking up more room than the spear-fork, does not take much more than can often be spared inside a shed. The American forks have been specially designed to take up little room, and for that reason are eminently suited for working inside sheds or barns. Seeing that hay sheds of Dutch barns, are now so common in. many districts, I think the American hay-shed horse-fork only requires to be known to be appreciated, and that it only requires time to be adopted in most of them. Where a shed has been built in a style suitable for the working of the horse-fork, one can be bought and erected at one-quarter of the cost it takes to purchase a pole and gear for outside use. Unless an iron rod, running from one end of the shed to the other, all the parts can be taken from one shed and erected in another on a few minutes. Sheds in which it is intended to work the horse-fork should have the space under the roof, from the ridge to at least the level of the wall plates, free of all obstructions in the shape of cross-beams. At either end of the shed short joists or balks are bolted on to the second outside pair of couples, at from 6 to 7 inches below the ridge, and between the pieces thus erected an iron rod, half inch in diameter, is stretched, by passing it through a hole in each cross piece, and tightening it up by a nut and screws at both ends. The rod generally passes through other cross pieces, placed at every second, third, or fourth division of the shed, according to its length. These inside pieces are not only useful as supports for the rod, but are absolutely necessary for the economical working of the fork, as will immediately be shown. On this rod runs a small carriage, about a foot in length, and having two grooved wheels, the wheels being above and the weight below, like an ordinary sliding door, only the two wheels are almost close together. At the one end of the carriage there is a spring latch or sneck, which catches a projecting piece of iron on one of the cross bars supporting the iron rod. These cross pieces are fixed immediately above where the cart is expected to be unloaded, and are for the purpose of holding the carriage in one position while the fork is ascending and descending. The latch acts very much like an ordinary door latch, only it is held firmly in its place by a spring, whether or not to has a held of the stop.

On the underside of the carriage there is also another, working in connection with the first, but so arranged that when the one is closed the other is opened. From this latch, on the under side of the carriage, hangs a block or pulley, after the style of an ordinary ship single block, but made of iron, and of a very near and light pattern. On the upper side of this block is an eye, thorough which, when locked, passes the bolt of the latch on the under side of the carriage; while on its under side is a hook on which to hang the fork. The hoisting rope is attached to one end of the carriage, from which it passes through the block under the carriage, and then over another pulley on the carriage, immediately below the iron travelling rod, thence it is led in any direction to which the power is easily applied. In working, the carriage is brought forward to the stop, which the latch at the end immediately takes hold of, while at the same instant the latch on the under side relieves the block hanging to it, when the weight of the fork pulls it and the rope out till it reaches the load or the ground. The block always hangs in a perpendicular position, owing to the weight of the fork and load being on the under side. When the horse moves forward after the fork is loaded, it rises in a perpendicular line until the eye on the block strikes the latch on the under side of the carriage. This latch, on bring struck by the eye of the block, immediately opens and takes hold of it, while at the same instant the latch at the end lets go its hold of the stopping iron, when the carriage with its load, hanging close under, at once is pulled by the onward movement of the horse to the first, second or any division of the shed in which it is desired to deposit the load. On reaching the proper position the attendant pulls the cord, when the load drops. The carriage is then pulled back to the stopping iron by the same cord which relieved the load, when the fork again drops and is ready to be reloaded. The latches are so arranged that the one at the end never fails to catch the stop, nor the one in the middle to catch the block, neither does the one let go its hold before the other has got a hold of the load; the whole being the most beautiful piece of automatic catching and letting go, done with simplicity and certainty, which it is possible to behold. The carriage being immediately under the ridge of the roof, and the load close up to it, the smallest possible space is taken up by both. A fork capable of giving satisfaction inside a shed must not only be able to take a full load, but at the same time must be of such a size as to be capable of working in a small space, not only in regard to height, but also width. Scarcely any fork could perform these duties to greater advantage than does the double spear, which has the extra superiority of being light, strong, and cheap. Forks for working inside sheds only require to be seen to be appreciated; and although the height to which hay is built in a shed is generally less than what is done in a rick or stack, still the work is as heavy, and it can be both lightened and cheapened by the adoption of the horse-fork. For filling silos, where they are high above the ground, these forks may also be used with advantage, one rod along the ridge giving sufficient facilities for filling any number of silos under the same roof and in a line with the ridges.

Since adopting the horse-fork I have heard it urged that, although it was no doubt of great advantage on a large farm, it was of no use for a small one. Such, however, is not the case, as, although by its use many persons may be kept employed, it can still be worked by very few when such is necessary. For instance, in a small way, where the hay is on the ground (not in a cart), there is no difficulty in the same person both leading the horse, if a quiet one, and attending to the fork; and as it is utterly impossible to build a rick without at least one man being employed forking, no more are used if this plan be adopted, while double or treble the quantity may be put up. In a small way, this is not all, for a smart boy, with the horse-fork, may elevate as much hay to a height of 20 feet or so as three or four men could do by hand-forks. Then, again, by the use of the rick-lifter, any boy or woman accustomed to lead a horse may bring in as much hay to the yard as at least three men could do by hand-forks and hay waggons. The dry climate and light crops of the American Continent make, no doubt, the working of the binder a matter of much less difficulty with them than with us; but neither their climate, crops, nor people give them any advantage over us in the use of the horse-fork, and we will certainly be standing in our own light if we do not take advantage of these inventions after they have perfected them, and perfected they certainly are, for everything in connection with the horse-fork is turned out by them in the lightest, neatest, and cheapest form possible.”

There were a number of key makers of the hay shed horse fork in Scotland. One of the most important was P. & R. Fleming, Glasgow, a major implement and machine maker with key agencies.

The photos were taken at the Fife Vintage Rally, June 2014

The 1880s and 1890s witnessed the introduction of a number of new implements and machines for the hay field. These helped revolutionise haymaking, including the amount of effort and time taken to cart the crop to the farm.

One such innovation was the triangular rick lifter. This was developed by a firm of joiners at Campbeltown, Argyll. It was described at length in the North British Agriculturist of 19 June 1889:

“The introducer, or as I might almost say, the inventor of this apparatus is Mr P. Mackay, of Messrs P. Mackay & Co., joiners and blacksmiths, Campbeltown. The idea was first given to Mr Mackay by a Mr Alexander, an Irish gentleman, who has a shooting in Campbeltown, and who had seen it adopted in a rougher style om Ireland, but in which district I have not learned.

The apparatus consists of a large triangle, the legs of which are poles from 22 feet to 25 feet long; 6 to 7 inches in diameter are considered quite strong enough at the bottom, and tapering to about 4 inches at the top. The three poles are held together at the top by a ¾ inch bolt running through each, from which hangs a mussel or hook. In the bottom of each pole is fixed a wheel from 10 to 12 inches in diameter, and about three inches or less in the face, all wheels being set to run in one direction, while one of them, called for convenience’ sake the front wheel, is fixed on a swivel, like the front wheel of a drill grubber, whereby the apparatus, when being moved from rick to rick, is more easily turned. For ease in description, I will suppose that the apparatus has been drawn into a field, and placed in position over the top of a rick, that is, with the legs straddling it. A pair of ship pulley blocks, with three sheaves, are now procured and connected with a. Manilla rope, 7/8ths or 1 inch in diameter. The one block is now hung on to the mussel or hook hanging from the bolt connecting the three poles at the apex of the triangle, while to the other, or under block, are hung three chains equal in length to the height of the rick it is proposed to lift. The lower end of each chain should terminate in a hook, the chains themselves being fully as strong as an ordinary heavy plough chain. These chains hook into the forks, of which there are three, and which are made of round bars of 1 inch steel. Each form has only one prong, being simply a rod of steel sharpened at one end, and having a hole for the hook of the chain at the other, and then bent to an angle, a little less than a right angle, a little piece further from the point than the middle. The chains having been connected to the under block, the prong of each fork is thrust under the bottom of the rick, at equal distance around; the hooks of the chains are then put into the eye of the fork. The prong of each fork is about 4 feet long, and handle or part in which the eye is about 3 feet long. A small winch, having a barrel 6 or 8 inches in diameter, with a ratchet and pawl, is fixed on the inside of the front leg, handles for two men being fixed at each end. The barrel of the winch should be from 12 to 14 inches long, as, owing to the use of the three sheaf blocks, a considerable length of rope has to be wound round it. The rope from the blocks being now connected to the winch, everything is now ready for the hoisting of the rick, which, with the power stated, two men can do in a few seconds. Hay ricks in Argyllshire are generally made to weigh from 6 to 10 cwt, and two men can lift these high enough to let an ordinary cart go under them, in from two and a half to three minutes, including shifting and fixing of forks &c. The rick generally lifts clean off the ground, and is only raised high enough to allow a cart or hay waggon to go on under, after which it is dropped on to the bottom of the cart or waggon, and carted off to the stackyard in its original position without being much disturbed, and tying being rarely necessary if the road is anything like smooth.

If the ricks are any way close together the triangle may be pushed by hand from the one to the other, but if far separate an odd horse is better to be used for that purpose. The making of this apparatus is neither intricate, costly, nor expensive to keep up, and by its use ordinary carts or waggons can be turned to full account, without the necessity of purchasing special trollies for lifting the ricks. One condition necessary to its use in its present state is, however, the size of the ricks, which may be said to be limited to 10 cwt, or a very little over that. Unless in the vicinity of large towns or collieries, this is the size of rick in most common use throughout a large part of the country, and I am sometimes inclined to think the days of making ricks on ton and over are almost gone. Up until a few years ago, colliery proprietors and the horse owners generally were often in the habit of purchasing their year’s supply of hay direct from the field and stacking it besides themselves, but of late this custom has gone very much out of use. While hay could be sold in this way, ricks of about a ton and over were very handy where long cartages had often to be made; but if hay is to be stacked at home, I think ricks of from 8 cwt to 12 cwt are to be preferred. If this size of rick is allowed to stand in the field any longer than is necessary to dry the hay, as a consequence there is more outside waste than with a larger rick; but against that the advantages are that the hay can much sooner be secured in half ton rick than in one double the size, and when in it, it dries much quicker, and of course is in condition to be removed to the stackyard in half the number of days after being made than the larger one is. The work of haymaking is thus expedited, and of course liability to loss by exposure to the weather lessened. By the use of this apparatus, or the trolley rick-lifter in conjunction with the ordinary haymaking machines, a very few persons on an upland farm, or, for that part of it, on any farm, may secure a quantity of hay out of all proportions to what could be done a few years ago.”

Did you see the triangle rick lifter in use? Were there local variations of the triangular rick lifter in other parts of Scotland?

The photos are of hay bogies from the Fife Vintage Rally, June 2014. These would have been used in conjunction with the “triangles” as the rick lifters were sometimes called.

The Royal Northern Show was an important one for implements and machines for farmers and agriculturists in north east Scotland and beyond. In 1927 there was a good display from makers and agents in the north-east. On 21 July 1927 the Aberdeen Press and Journal carried a detailed description of what was on show from them. It is worth quoting that account at length to show what was new and important and what was reported about it:

“Round the stands

Fine display of farming implements

Visitors from the country and town alike will find much to interest them in the display of implements etc, at the show of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society at St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, to-day. Every kind of implement, machine, and utensil necessary for the successful working of a modern farm are on view. All enterprising firms are showing their most up-to-date appliances, and additional interest is lent to the fine display by the fact that many of them are seen in actual operation.

Messrs Barclay, Ross, and Hutchison

Messrs Barclay, Ross, and Hutchison Ltd, are showing a large selection of implements and machinery, which includes a 3ft 6 ins portable thresher driven by an Austin tractor. Ruston-Hornsby oil engines and Lister petrol-paraffin supply the power for several smaller portable threshers. This firm also exhibits its own make of wave disc manure distributor with an improved type of shutting bar and a new Standard binder manufactured by Messrs Ruston Hornsby. This is an all-steel machine, and is claimed to be the lightest on the market.

Messrs W. Smith and Son Ltd

On Stand no. 17, Messrs W. Smith and Son Ltd, seedsman and implement agents, Aberdeen, show a large and comprehensive collection of farming implements etc, manufactured by some of the best British and American agricultural engineers. They show the popular McCormick binder, which can be supplied to cut 5, 6, 7 and 8 feet, for use with horses or tractor, and may be had with sheaf carriers to deal with from one to six sheaves.

Prominent on the stand is Bamford’s famous Royal mower and reaper with their new patent curved spiral bevel gearing for which the makers were awarded seven medals last year at the principal English and Irish shows. This gear ensures noiseless and even running, imparts to the cutting bar a very smooth motion, while the draught is considerably reduced.

For the benefit of the farmer’s wife there is a large and varied collection of dairy appliances-churns, butter workers, the well-known “Diabolo” and “Alfa Laval” separators, and the popular, “Framer’s Friend” combined cheese chessel and press. Bar frame hives and appliances, fountain lime-washing and spraying machines, are among the other agricultural appliances that find a place in Messrs Smith’s display.

Messrs Wm Reid and Leys

A fine display of agricultural implements is that of Messrs W. Reid and Leys on stand 18. The Son patent pole grubber, Aberdeen ploughs, Osborne binders and hay mowers, both Vickings and Jacks, are among the exhibits. In addition there is a good display of Alpha Laval cream separators, the Don cant turnip cutter and the firm’s own turnip sower. The turnip sower is an entirely new machine and is bound to attract considerable attention.

Harper Motor Co Ltd

As authorised Ford dealers for this territory, the Harper Motor Co Ltd, have a very interesting display. The famous Fordson tractor is prominent, and while little change may be apparent to the untrained eye, there are several noted improvements. One tractor is fitted with a Junior mower which should be of great interest at this time of the year. Another Fordson is equipped with rubber tyred wheels and is capable of pulling up to 10 tons.

The Ford Young car is exhibited and a noted feature is its exceedingly smart appearance. It is prices at £125.

The familiar Ford ton-truck complete the vehicles, but there is also shown an Oliver 2-furrow plough, specially built for the Fordson Tractor, as well as an interesting display of spare parts.

James Robertson, Aberdeen

Almost every requirement of the farmer is to be found at the stand occupied by Mr James Robertson, 14 Hadden Street, Aberdeen. The universally famed Lister engines for various farm uses provide a notable feature of his exhibits. There are also Deering binders, mowers, and horse-rakes, which have the admirable qualities of lightness and durability to commend them. Dairymen will find their interest captured by a special display of diabolo cream separators. They have a 10 years’ guarantee and have the merit of being easily run and easily cleaned. A display of bee hives and appliances will be given throughout the day. Other important parts of farm equipment that are being exhibited at this stand are the Albion mower, the Jack potato-digger, barn fanners, 50 gallon oil tanks, manure pumps and boilers, and hay collectors.

Messrs C. F. Wilson and Co Ltd

Economically-driven engines for threshing mills are exhibited by Messrs C. F. Wilson and Co. Ltd, at stand 29. “Wilson” oil engines, which have for so many years faithfully aided the farmer in completing his harvest, are here exhibited in their latest models. A crude oil engine of 15 brake horsepower is also seen running. The simplicity of the working parts and the smooth running of this engine are at once noticeable. A particular feature of this crude oil engine is its fuel oil pump and fuel spraying device, the simple design of which, in combination with the governor, does away with all irritating adjustments.

There are also exhibited the “Wilson” 15 and 8bhp paraffin oil engines. These are so well known to farmers for their reliability and success in driving threshing mills that we merely mention them here.

Messrs C. F. Wilson and Co. Ltd, are also makers of cold starting crude oil engines, which can be inspected at their works at Constitution Street.

Messrs George Bruce and Co.

Messrs Bruce and Co. are showing on stand 16 a number of the new Massey Harris no. 6 binders, mowers, and rakes from the same factory and a large assortment of potato sorters and potato cutters. An extremely useful hay loader with an attachment for levering the hay on to the flat lorry is also shown. Cake mills, weighing machines, and various sizes of milk churns of the most up-to-date types are also shown on this stand.”

Did you buy any of these implements and machines from these makers and dealers?

In the 1880s and 1890s there were a number of new developments in hay making machinery that were to have a profound impact on the hayfield for many decades to come. One of these was the horse fork, an implement that came from America and was widely adopted in Scotland in a very short time.

The introduction and early use of the hay fork were described at length in the North British Agriculturist, the national agricultural newspaper, in its issue of 4 May 1887 and again in an issue of 3 July 1889. The articles have been quoted at length:

“New machinery in hay making

The horse fork

In America, the horse-fork is an implement in general use on every farm be it large or small, while in Britain, or on the Continen, it is only in very isolated cases that its use has been resorted to. The apathy of European farmers regarding the use of this invention I can only account for by their want of knowledge regarding it, as our farmers, I would fancy, have a larger proportion of hay to stack in either ricks or sheds than what they have, and a more fickle climate to do it is. Hay from the same class of plants will be much the same in both countries, the principal difference of the two countries being the greater scarcity of labour in America than here, which accounts for their having adopted machinery in agricultural operations to a much greater extent than has been done here. Their lighter crops and drier climate make this easier for them than for us, and in nothing is it more clearly shown than in the use of the harvester and binder, as machines which work well with them are unable to deal with the heavy, tangled, and damper crops of the British Isles. With made hay there is, however, no such difference, in fact, its use is more called for, and it will first be introduced where heavy crops have to be dealt with. From what I had learned of horse-forks generally, I felt fairly certain they might with advantage be introduced here also; and with that end in view I year ago instituted inquiries regarding the different persons who had attempted their sale or msnufacture in this country. These I found were few, and all used very much the same class of hoisting gear, viz a pole and gib, or gall, with a rope passing from the fork over the gaff and down the pole. All up to this year used the old pattern of fork, which is very much like a large dung grape of the old malleable iron pattern common about twenty or twenty-five years ago. My idea was that by combining the use of the rick-lifter with the horse-fork. I should effect a greater saving than by the use of either separately; and to put this to the test, I bought two rick-lifters and a set of hoisting gear and grapple fork. For building hay in open ricks or stacks, the methods of raising the hay by a rope on a pole and gib I consider superior to any other yet introduced. The pole may be any length up to 36 feet long, and in two halves, joined together by a short tube of ¼ inch iron, after the style of joining the different parts of a fishing-rod. The gib or gaff is 9 feet long, thereby permitting the hay to be raised to the height of the pole and to be dropped from 7 to 8 feet from the side of the rick. Arrangements are made for lowering the gaff or raising it as is required, while the rick is being built, thereby making it handier to work, and causing less strain on the pole. The pole need not necessarily be in two pieces, but by making it so, a longer, straighter, sounder, and stronger pole can be had than if one tree only is used; while by being in two, it is easier stowed away in some suitable place when not in use. Previous to erection, a hole is dug one spit deep, and from 1 ½ feet to 2 feet from the side of the rick to be built. Into this hole the butt-end of the pole is put, the hole being intended to hold the pole against the pull of the horse when raising the load of hay. To a ring encircling the top of the pole four galvanised strang wires are fixed, which act as guy ropes in keeping it upright. These are tied to large pins driven into the ground at a considerable distance off, thoroughly steadying the pole in any desired position without putting any very great strain on them. The pole is a little difficult to raise on end at first, but when once up it need not be taken down again until the season’s work is past, unless to build some other ricks at some other place on the farm. By thrusting an iron rod, 1 ½ inch or so in diameter, through the pole above the pulley on a level with the horse, two men may easily lift it in their hands or on their shoulders, and by slackening one guy rope and tightening up the one opposite, the two men can freely carry it in a line with these two ropes. A few minutes thus suffice to carry it from one rick which has been finished to another one newly begun. The rope from the fork passes over a pulley on the point of the gib or gaff, down the upper side of it to another pulley, where the gaff joins the pole, then down one side of the pole and under another pulley placed in the centre of the pole about 3 feet above the ground, where the horse is yoked to it. All the patterns of grapple forks work on much the same principle, viz that of a pair of mason’s or quarry shears, only instead of having but one prong or tine in each side as quarry shears have, the hay fork has two or three like the American patterns. Loaded or unloaded, all are opened by pulling a cord which hangs from it for that purpose. The fork when descending is pulled on to the loaded cart or hay rick (field rick) by this cord, and at the same time is kept open by it, so that when allowed to drop on the hay the prongs take more or less of a catch, according to the force with which it is allowed to drop, so that as soon as the horse commences to again raise it the prongs feed themselves, and lift a greater or less quantity according to the grip they had at first, and the looseness or solidity of the hay. The most regular-sized loads are sent up by dropping the fork gently, and pressing in the prongs more or less with the hand, without doing which the one fork load is by far too large, while the next may be only half full. The pole is always erected with a slight lean to the rick, so that when the load is raised above its level, the gib or gaff of its own accord immediately swings round above the rick, when the attendant discharges the load by pulling the cord. The load is thus dropped in the centre of the rick or at either side as is required, so that the rick is regularly consolidated all round, and not unduly pressed down on one side as invariably happens where the forking is done by hand. A horse can easily raise from 2 cwt to 2 ½ cwt, the time occupied being of course regulated by the height to which it is raised. Unknown to the man working the fork I have repeatedly counted the number of times he required to load his fork to raise a rick which had been previously weighed, and in ordinary working I generally found these to average about 1 ¾ cwt. When forking a rick deposited by the rick-lifter as much as 3 cwt I would think would sometimes be raised, that I considered, however, too heavy, and a strain not only on the horse, but on the whole tackle. The horse was all along led by a girl, it moving straight out in any direction which at the time was free of obstruction. In lowering, the horse was always backed not turned, as being the speedier of the two methods. Most grapple forks relieve themselves when drawn up against the point of the gaff, if the attendant has not previously done so, which is occasionally an advantage, although at other times a disadvantage. One American grapple fork does not relieve itself in this manner, although one pattern of spear fork can be made to do do. The grapple forks are the most suitable for loose or short hay, while the spear patterns are to be recommended for long tough stuff like Italian or timothy, although they, like the others, are suitable enough for any kind. A great recommendation of them is their simplicity and cheapness. Where hay is brought to the stack-yard or other place of storing by carts or waggons they may be emptied by the fork while standing alongside the rick, or in the case of carts, where horse power is short, they may be emptied and the hay forked off the ground, as a few feet in height is a matter of little consequence where the horse-fork is in use. The greatest advantage, however, accrues where the hay is brought in by the rick-lifter, as here it is not only carted in at very little trouble, but is also forked to any height with very little expenditure og power. When forking on to a rick, the amount of work capable of being done by the horse-fork is limited more by the number of builders than anything else, as where even three or four persons are on the rick they can be covered up in a very short time, if sufficient hay is at hand to go on full speed. With rick-lifters and the horse-fork I found in last year’s working that one-half the people could take in more hay in a day than double their number could by the old method of carts and hand-forking, and that without ever having a heavy lift, much less a lengthened period of continuous heavy work, of which every one was often sick-tired, and which was always a hurry to get through before harvest. Before trial my servants looked on both rick-lifter and horse-fork, with great disfavour, and called them both maggots, now I believe both would be the last machines they would wish turned off the farm.”

“North British Agriculturist, 3 July 1889

Recent improvements in hay-making machinery

By John Speir, Newton Farm, Cambuslang

Horse forks

Since I wrote you in the autumn of 1886 on this matter, very few improvements have been made on these machines, although they have become much more common than they were then. My opinion of them is that they should be on every farm, be it large or small, as with the horse-fork and rick-lifters one man is certainly able to secure as much hay as three or four men could do before. Not only is this the case, but a great part of the work can now be done, by the use of these machines, by boys or indifferent men, whereas formerly the very strongest were required.

As the fork and rick-lifter do best to use together, experience has taught us that the prongs of both the English and American fork were too slender for lifting hay by horse-power out of a solid rick. These forks were designed to lift loose dry hay from the waggon, and required much longer and slenderer prongs than where the hay was solid, as it is in a rick which has stood from two to four weeks. If the prongs of either class of fork were inadvertently put in too deep, they were sure to be bent, or so much hay caught that the horse could not move it. To remedy these defects new forks have been designed, with shorter and stouter prongs, and although stronger, yet lighter, and not near so large, thus making them more useful for working inside a hay shed, so that the same fork may now be used for both shed and stack building.

In connection with this matter a new class of fork, which is in constant use in America, has recently been brought under my notice. It acts in the same way as if you were to lay a grip on the ground on its back, then put a load on the grip; and after putting your foot on the hilt and holding it on the ground, you were to lift the load with your hand by catching it where the prongs meet the handle, raising it on end, and throwing the load over to the other side. In this case the load is raised the height of the handle, but in the machines in use the hay is raised 25 feet with a much shorter handle than 25 feet. By the use of a peculiar horse-rake, gathering from 4 to 6 cwt of hay, which is dropped on the fork, the Americans can thus stack their crop by lifting it off the ground, and yet never touch it by hand or hand-fork until it is on the stack. This same apparatus can also be sued for loading waggons where the hay is not stacked in the field, but drawn to the farm, to be there hoisted by the ordinary horse-fork. It has struck me that this same apparatus would be very useful for gathering and building ensilage stacks in the field where cut, or where the hay was made on the English system, by bringing it direct from the swathe or windrow to the stack, as in such a case it could easily be put on the stack without ever touching it by hand at all.

This brings me to a part of my subject which I should like to see definitely settled within a year or two-viz whether or not hay can be made in Scotland by carting direct from the field, and applying as much pressure to it in the stack as will prevent fermentation to such an extent that the hay will not become brown or even lose its colour. The horse fork and gatherer which I have described here might be of considerable use to us. I hope, therefore, to hear of the system getting a fair trial during the coming years.”

The horse forks were quickly adopted. On 27 December 1897 the Glasgow Herald could write that “the demand for mowers, horse rakes, hay makers’ rick lifters, and horse forks, was quite exceptional, several beating the record on sales made, and many thousands of these machines were made and sold in Great Britain and Ireland.” Makers of them included John Wallace of Glasgow, P. & R. Fleming & Co., Glasgow, and Jack of Maybole, among others.

The photos were taken at the Fife Vintage Rally, June 2014.

Only a small number of the Scottish agricultural implement and machine makers exhibited at the Royal Show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. When they did, they were exhibiting their most important implements and machines that would attract the English market. They also exhibited their most innovative ones. Sometimes they also entered them for the Society’s medals, the award of which was prestigious and could have a significant impact on the reputation of a maker.

In 1893 there were significant advances being made in the development of weighing machines and milking machines. Scottish makers such as Alex Wood & Sons, Glasgow, J. D. McJannet, Woodlands, Stirling, and Mr John Gray, Stranraer, took their manufactures to the show to enter them for awards and to get wider recognition for their manufactures. Other manufacturers also took their well-renowned implements and machines.

The Scotsman newspaper usually provided extensive accounts of the Scottish exhibitors to the Royal. It did so in 1893, providing a comprehensive review of their exhibits. This is what it wrote in its issue of 19 June 1893:

“At Chester

There are less than a dozen Scottish implement makers represented, but those who are forward make a very creditable appearance, considering the expense that is involved in the conveyance of a large collection of heavy implements. Taking the exhibitors from the north of the Tweed in the order in which they appear in the catalogue, the first stand is that of Messrs Alex Wood & Sons, Glasgow, who have an excellent display of those weighing machine for the manufacture of which they have gained a high reputation. Two of their machines are entered for the Society’s medals, one being the “Wynyard” cattle weighing machine. It has a strong iron pen with double leaf gates at each end, and a dial graduated from 3 ½ lb to 30 cwts, and constructed entirely on the lever principle. Another notable exhibit is what is called the “Smithfield” weighing machine for carts, cattle &c. It is fitted with an adjustable pen, which in about a minute can be altered for either carts or cattle. By a simple arrangement the side gates of the pen are merely folded back against the end gate, and the widest hay cart may then be drawn over the breadth of the weighing machine. Several other admirably contrived weighing machines are shown on this stand. Close by, Mr J. D. McJannet, Woodlands, Stirling, who has done so much to popularise the “block test” in Scotland, exhibits a weighbridge for carts and cattle, together with a cattle cage, both having the appearance of substantial workmanship and simplicity of construction.

Among a neat and useful collection of dairy utensils, Mr John Gray, Stranraer, shows Nicholson & Gray’s patent milking machine, which in 1891, when it was first exhibited at work in public, was awarded medals at the Royal Society’s Show at Doncaster, the Highland Society’s Show at Stirling, and the London Dairy Show. Since then some further improvements have been effected on the machine, and it is shown here in portable form, for small dairies, and arranged for two or four cows. The horn of which the teat-cups are made are now transparent, so that the person in charge may see the milk flowing into the can. An inflated tongue has also been inserted in the mouth of the cup to imitate, as near as possible, the action of the natural calf in sucking, and this ingenious arrangement pressing against the teat causes the cow to give her milk more freely. The degree of perfection to which this invention has now been brought would seem to give it a strong claim on the attention of dairy farmers in this country as well as abroad, where it has already been received with considerable favour. Messrs Carrick & Ritchie, Waverley Engineering Works, Edinburgh, show several of their well-known turbines, one of these being combined with a dynamo, and specially adapted for lighting country mansions, or for transmitting power to drive farm or other machinery situated at a distance from the water power.

Messrs John Wallace & Sons, Glasgow, show a number of American chilled ploughs, mowers and reapers, and potato diggers. Some useful implements are exhibited by Messrs Ben Reid & Co., Aberdeen, chief among them being a thrashing machine, fitted with shakers and blast, and having an elevator attached for bagging the grain. By an improved gearing the speed is got up inside the barn as well as outside, and an easier motion is secured. The other articles on this stand include drills, broadcast sowers, manure distributors, grubbers, and pumps. Mr William Elder, Berwick-on-Tweed, has, as usual, a varied assortment of implements of practical value on the farm. His broadcast sowing machine has the advantage of being able to go through ordinary gateways by having the box arranged on a swivel, so that it can be swung round without disconnecting the gearing. The seed-box has been enlarged, and is fitted with six divisions, so that the seed will not fall to the end of the box when sowing along hillsides. His turnip and mangold sower will sow eight different quantities of seed, and a regular and continuous delivery is obtained. There are about a score of other articles on the stand, and they are varied and well selected to meet the wants of farmers. Ayrshire is, as usual, well represented by Mr Thos Hunter, Maybole, with a highly meritorious collection of hoes, cultivators, grubbers, harrows, and root cleaners; and Messrs Alex Jack & Sons, from the same town, have also a neat display, including their “Caledonian Buckeye” mowers and reapers, their beautifully made farm carts, turnip and mangold drills, horse rakes, and an improved potato raiser with the gearing enclosed.”

Quite a display by all accounts!

The Scottish exhibitors at the Royal Show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England were always small in number, but included some of the major names. Indeed, attendance at the show says a lot about the stature and aspirations of these businesses. In 1912 when the show was at Doncaster a number of the Scottish makers attended to compete for the Society’s silver medals and to show their new innovations.

A short article published in The Scotsman of 2 July 1912 provides an illuminating account of the innovations that the Scottish makers were taking to the show as well as the names of the Scottish makers that attended:

“New Scottish implements

The display of implements presents the fullest degree that instructive variety which always characterises the Royal Showyard, and as an exposition of the mechanical aids to agriculture nothing better could be desired. The number of stands in this department is 442, the amount of shedding allotted being 13,538 feet, while there are numerous open-space exhibitors. Forty-seven machines and appliances of various sorts have been entered as “new implements” to compete for the Society’s silver medals. One of the new inventions comes from East Lothian, this being Mr David Wilson’s (East Linton) “Excelsior” potato raiser. This machine was exhibited at the Royal Highland Society’s trials, but while it was highly satisfactory in most respects, it could not work when the tops were there. To deal with the tops Mr Wilson has introduced cutters in each side of the drill, which it is claimed, will now overcome the difficulty experienced last season. The Agricultural Implement Company, Dundee, show two new implements. One is Mr W. M. Martin’s patent potato raiser. Manufactured in Perth, it consists of a revolving sieve containing internal worms, which take the earth containing the tubers from the adjustable share, and while conveying same backwards, riddle the potatoes from the soil, which are then delivered on the ground without being bruised or scattered. The other new implement by the same inventor is a haulm cutter for use when the haulm of potatoes require to be cut. It consists of revolving fan-like cutting blades, with guides for leading the haulms into the blades, and which throw aside the haulms when cut.

Among the other Scottish exhibitors who have stands are Messrs Kemp & Nicholson, Stirling; A. Jack & Sons, Maybole; J. Wallace & Sons, Glasgow; J. & R. Wallace, Castle Douglas; P. & R. Fleming, Glasgow; Marshall & Philp, Aberdeen; Barclay, Ross & Tough, Aberdeen; Carron Co., Stirlingshire; Alley & McLellan (Ltd), Glasgow; A. Pollock, Mauchline; George Sellar & Son, Huntly; W. Elder & Son (Ltd), Berwick: T. Hunter & Sons, Maybole; James Marshall, Aberdeen.”

How many of the names of the Scottish makers that attended do you recognise? Do you think they could be described as representing all that was great about agricultural implements and machines?

The Highland Show of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in 1872 was held at Kelso. It exhibited the latest implements and machines as well as some of the bread-and-butter ones that were widespread. This was the first time that the show had been in the district since 1863. Since that time there had been some significant developments in the making of agricultural implements and machines, not only in terms of their breadth, but also in new makers and the extent of their manufactures.

What was being exhibited at the show? The Kelso Chronicle provided a systematic account of the different types of exhibits (normally accounts noted what each stallholder had on their stand). This is a helpful account for being able to compare makers and their manufactures. Here is what the newspaper observed at the show:

“Agricultural implements

The implements in the exhibition numbered 1777, which was not equal to the three previous years at Edinburgh, Dumfries, and Perth, but largely in excess of any former year, and 676 more than at the Kelso show in 1863. Of these, however, a large proportion could be only by courtesy called agricultural implements; but of standard cultivators of the soil there was an excellent display, and the implements and machines were in general well adapted for the district.

Steam cultivators

Steam ploughs and cultivators have the first claim to notice. At the last Kelso show, Messrs Howard alone exhibited steam cultivators, having on the ground a complete set of apparatus, with a three furrow steam plough, which was claimed as a new invention. On the present occasion, there is exhibited a working model of Fisken’s patent steam-cultivating tackle; while Messrs John Fowler & Co., shows many different articles, most of them connected with steam cultivation; and a steam plough, price, £100, is shown by G. W. Murray & Co., Banff Foundry, Banff.

Common ploughs are shown by many eminent makers from various parts of the country. Among the exhibitors are-Messrs Jack & Sons, Maybole; James D. Allan & Sons, Dunkeld; Thomas Brown, Edington, Chirnside; Thomas Gray, Uddingston; John Gregory, Westoe, South Shields; Law, Duncan & Co., Shettleston; Lewis & Co., Shrewsbury; G. W. Murray & CO., Banff; T. Pirie & Co., Kinmundy, Mintlaw, Aberdeen; Reid & Co., Aberdeen; G. Sellar & Son, Huntly, Aberdeen; Thomas Thompson, Stobswoodfoot, Hawick, whose ploughs have carried off the premiums at many a Border ploughing match; and David Young, Hassington, who shows in all six articles of excellent workmanship.

There is also a good display of double-furrow ploughs, exhibited by Messrs Jack & Sons; John Pringle & Co., Kelso; Andrew Shiel, Coldstream; Richard Bickerton & Sons, Berwick; John Gray; John Gregory; R. Hornsby & Sons, Grantham; A. & J. Main & Co., Glasgow; G. W. Murray & Co.,: John Murray, Kilmarnock, who claims to have made a new invention; Thomas Pirie & Co; Thomas Reid, Monkton, Ayrshire; George Sellar & Son, Huntly; and John Fowler & Co. Messrs George Sellar & Son lay claim to a radical improvement in respect of the style of the skifes or sheats, which are found to be the weak points in these implements, when they come in collision with stones. The exhibitors state that they have tried skifes made of flat wrought iron bars, of malleable cast iron and of cast steel castings, and all in a measure have failed. The improved skifes are made of T wrought iron, and these have given satisfaction both at home and in the colonies. For a plough specially adapted for taking one furrow up and two down hill by a single movement of a small lever, the ploughman can have single or double furrow at pleasure. The same makers show another novelty in the shape of a combined common and subsoil plough, which during the past year has been found to answer the purpose admirably. By the use of this single and subsoil plough a saving is made of one man and one horse. The subsoiling part can be separated at pleasure, leaving the common plough complete and entire. The subsoiling part can also be fitted to almost any plough at a trifling expense. The whole of these ploughs are of very superior workmanship. The double furrow plough, shown by Mr Reid, also claims to be a new invention, the improvement being that he has a lever to regulate the depth of the front wheel, and the same lever acts so as to turn the plough easily, and to carry it easily over stones or other obstructions.

The show of grubbers is not very large; but some useful articles of this kind are exhibited by Jack & Sons; Thomas Brown; John Gray; Thomas Hunter; Kemp, Murray & Nicholson; Law, Duncan & Co; Ben Reid & Co.; T. Pirie & Co.; James Scott, Tweedmouth; and John Smail, Huntershall, whose grubber-harrow is shown as a new invention. There is likewise a good display of drill-grubbers, for cultivating between the rows of drilled turnips.

Harrows are shown in considerable variety-among the exhibitors being Jack &S Ons; Lillie & Elder; Mackay & Fairbairn, Sciennes Place, Edinburgh; John Pringle & Co; Andrew Shiel; John Gray; William Gray, Wishaw; John Gregory; Thomas Hunter; Main & Co; Pirie & Co; and Reid & Co.

Mr David Young, Hassington, shows a Norwegian harrow, the only one on the ground. This is a most useful article for retentive soils, and produces a finer mould than a combined application of roller and harrow. The action of the Norwegian harrow is a combination of the light grubber, roller, and harrow.

Rollers, pressers, and clod-crushers are fairly represented, among which is an improved consolidating land-roller, 6 feet wide by 30 inches in diameter, with self-lubricating grease boxes, made by Jack & Sons; two very good articles by Lillie & Elder; and others shown by John Pringle & Co., Allan & Sons, Thomas Hunter, Kemp, Murray & Nicolson, and Main & Co.

Of turnip sowers nine specimens are shown-one of them exhibited by William C. Caverhill, Berwick on Tweed, but made by W. Sawney; a useful combined mangold and turnip sower, with improved feeding boxes, by Jack & Sons; another of excellent qualities by Kemp, Murray & Nicholson; and improved two-row turnip and mangold sowing machine, by Thomas Sheriff & Co, West Barns, Dunbar, and two excellent articles from William Storie, Lanton, Jedburgh-one of them with indicator for regulating the seed, and one a combined turnip and mangold sowing machine, with graduated regulator. They are all shown by Scotch makers except the first.

Drill grubbers, drill harrows, drill ploughs, drill rollers, horse hoes, &c, are shown in considerable variety and at very moderate prices, showing how much has been done to facilitate turnip culture and abridge mere manual labour.

Reaping and mowing machines

Reaping and mowing machines are represented in great abundance and variety, all the local and district makers being in strong force. Mr Walter A. Wood, of London, shows six different specimens of his lights and manageable implements, which are much admired. Machines by the same maker are shown by Hooper & Company, Kelso, who have also implements of the same class, made by Samuelston & Co, and Picksley, Sims, & Co. Jack & Sons show their patent Buckeye combined reaping and mowing machines, which have long held a good reputation. Messrs Lawson & Son, George VI Bridge, Edinburgh, show five different articles of this class, four of which claim to be new inventions. There is, first, the Superior “Screw” mower, made by the Superior Machine Company, Virginia; next the superior Screw Mower, with reaping attachments, made by the Superior Machine Company, Virginia; the Screw Mower, made by the Screw Mower Company, New York; and two combined screw mowers and reapers, all of which are entered as new inventions. Messrs Little & Elder, Berwick, have four different implements, three of which are entered as new inventions, and the fourth as a radical improvement. A one-horse reaper and mower is shown by Mackay & Fairbairn. Mr Mollison, Kelso, shows two patent double-speed combined reaping and mowing machines, a new invention, which is much admired. The well-known form of Picksley, Sims & Co., exhibits six different implements; and two manual and self-acting back-delivery reapers are shown by Allan & Sons. Bickerton & Sons have five implements, showing improvements on their well-known Buckeye, Junior, and Excelsior machines. Brigham & Co., have six implements, which have acquired a good reputation in the district; and Thomas Brown, Edington, has a reaper with improved self-adjusting stay. Mr Dum, Kelso, shows Wray’s excellent little machines, for which he has the agency in Kelso; and several good implements are shown by Mr John Doe, Errol. George Gillis, Haydon Bridge, shows a lot of good implements, as also does John Gregory, and Haughton & Thompson, Carlisle. Mr Andrew Hogarth, Kelso, shows his excellent machines “The Border Chief”, “Kelso Eclipse”, “Tweedside Reaper and Mower”, and “Little Wonder Reaper”. The other exhibitors are-R. Hornsby& Sons; Kemp, Murray & Nicholson; Law, Duncan & Co; Lewis & Co; Main & Co; William Mattison; G. W. Murray & Co; G. & W. Porteous; Reid & Co; James Scott; Edwin Sherwood; and Thomas Halliday.

Horse rakes are shown in large variety, of which Hooper & Company, Kelso, shows three-one of them a new invention by Howcroft & McGregor, made by Picksley, Sims & Co. Two good implements are shown by Andrew Shiel, Coldstream; and among the other exhibitors are Bickerton & Sons; Brighton & Co., Gibson & Tait; John Gregory; Haughton & Thompson; Kemp, Murray & Nicholson; Law, Duncan & Co; Main & Co.; G. W. Murray & Co.; G. & W. Porteous; Reid & Co; and Jas Scott.

Thrashing machines are exhibited by G. W. Murray & Co., Hornsby & Sons, Robey & Co. (Lincoln), and Williamson Brothers (Kendal).

Traction engines-eight horse power and six horse power-re shown by John Fowler & Co.

Rick stands are shown by Mackay & Fairbairn; Gibson & Tait; Thomas Pearson & Co; and Thomas Halliday. Rick covers for corn and hay are shown by Mackay & Fairbairn; and by Mr John Unite, whose covering has been practically tested at the show: the sheds having been covered with canvas by him.

Fanners for dressing corn are exhibited by Penny & Co., Lincoln; Main & Co; James Miller, Haddington; G. W. Murray & Co.; John Richardson. Carlisle; Haughton & Thompson; Kemp, Murray & Nicholson; Reid & Co.; and William Sawney; and corn screens were shown by Penney & Co., John Pringle & Co., and Main & Co.

Of turnip cutters, cake breakers, and other articles for preparing food for stock there is, of course, great variety, and many of the specimens are excellent.

Wire-work fencing, which has now reached great perfection, is in great excellent at the stands of Wm C. Caverhill; John Gray; Hooper & Co; Mackay & Fairbairn; John Pringle & Co.; Gibson & Tait; A. & J, Main & Co.; G. W. Murray & Co.; and Ben Reid & Co.

Messrs Henderson & Son, plumbers, Kelso, had an extensive stand, comprising many useful articles in connection with framing, especially in cattle feeding troughs. They have also the honour of supplying the ornamental bronze drinking fountain, for which they were awarded a medium silver medal.

Mr Sinton, Jedburgh, has a lot of above forty of his excellent churns, which have now taken the premium at many a show, and only last week secured further honours at the Royal Northern Society’s Show at Aberdeen. They are of excellent workmanship, and on a principle that combines efficient operation with easy working. Mr James Eastwood, Blackburn, exhibits a lot of churns of his own make, which have had a great success in this country and in Ireland. They are of a peculiar construction, and seem to be very useful articles.”

Do you recognise any of the names at the Show?

On 25 April 1914 the North British Agriculturist carried an article on haymaking machinery. It is worth quoting to see how that machinery has changed in the last century. It writes:

“The present spell of good weather has made all farmers busy, and it is surprising how rapidly the next two months will flit by, and the strenuous work of hay cutting and making occupies the farmer’s attention. In many cases the farmer is unprepared, and at the critical time he has arrears to make up in thinning his turnips, &c. This is especially the case when sowing has been delayed, as it was last year. Therefore, all the wet days that intervene between this and hay time should be utilised, at least in part, in making preparation for the approaching work. New machines are perhaps needed, and the old ones may need considerable renovation. It is far better to have everything ready a week before the time than be a matter of a few hours too late.

The hay-making machinery of the present day furnishes yet another example of the ingenuity which has been displayed in recent years in applying mechanics to the solution of the labour-saving problem. First and most important, comes the mowing machine, with which everyone is familiar. Care should be taken that the figers are all sound, and that the knife works without friction. Any faulty knives or those which show considerable signs of wear should be replaced. in fact, the whole machine should have a thorough overhauling, and the risk of breakdowns will be correspondingly small.

The small farmer will have little use for the other implements now so extensively used on large farms, excepting of course the horse rake. The swathe-turner, hay-tedder, hay-maker, &c, have however earned their places in the farm-steading equipment. The swathe-turner does away, to a great extent, with the necessity for thorough wedding, though in the practice prevalent in Scotland the swathes are both thoroughly turned and tended. By means of helically revolving prongs or blades the buttons of the swathes are lifted up from the ground and gradually pushed over, and in most cases two swathes are turned into the one windrow. In some machines three swathes are made into a row. The result is that the hay has a considerably increased chance of being better made. One great advantage is that the ground itself is left for the most part uncovered, and has thus a chance of thoroughly drying between the rows, which is conducive to the drying of the hay.

The hay maker and the hay tedder do away with any necessity for hand tossing in bad weather, though the former has often been accused of treating the hay badly. Preferably, the tedder should be used as it gives better results. In the making of the hay, however, in Scotland a rigorous use cannot be commended. The hard, dry, and sometimes over-ripe ryegrasses and clover are damaged, the former by having the stems ruthlessly broken, and much of the valuable clover seed is knocked on to the ground, as are also the fine leaved grasses. The wedding of the hay leaves it to the mercy of the weather, and also by covering the whole of the ground does not give the hay the advantage of drying winds, and reliance has to be placed on the power of the sun. If, however, the weather is muggy, and the hay still retains much of its sap, the weeding is certainly of the greatest advantage, as its action corresponds exactly to the hand tossing which is practised on similar occasions.

The first cycle of operations is completed by gathering all the hay into the rows prior to the making of the elementary rucks or ricks. The horse rake has now been resolved into a standard pattern, either self-acting or worked by the driver. The tines, which extend the whole distance between the two large ground wheels, are so shaped that on the lever being actuated the whole contents are discharged. each tine has a certain latitude, so that despite inequalities of the surface of the land, the tines scrape the soil or skim lightly at a little distance from it. A great improvement has been instituted in recent years by the introduction of the side-delivery rake, which gathers the hay into one long row and this militates against careless driving and inefficient working of the levers by a careless workman. It also is of much benefit in those years in which a heavy crop renders so frequent the tilting of the tines that the wear and tear on the machine is greatly increased. This difficulty is frequently encountered when the clover crop is beyond expectations, and when the conditions for thorough driving have not been of the best.

So, there are some elements that you will recognise, but others that have changed greatly as a result of changed husbandry practices and technologies.

A section of haymaking machinery in the last 100 years, exhibited at Fife Vintage Agricultural machinery Rally, June 2014.

In the 1880s and the early 1890s there were significant improvements in the development of haymaking implements and machines win the Scottish hay field. These were to have a profound impact on the work undertaken for many decades.

John Speir of Newton Farm, Newton, wrote an article on these developments which was published in the North British Agriculturist on 5 June 1889. It describes these recent improvements and their significance. They followed an earlier series of articles from 1886. The article is quoted at length:

“Near the close of the year 1886, I wrote you a series of articles under the above heading, in which were described the construction, use, and advantages of the rick lifter, outside stacking horse fork, and inside or shed horse fork, on the American principle. Then the rick-lifter was in use only in isolated farms in the west, but nowhere else; the American shed form was in use on at least two farms in Ayrshire; while the horse fork, for ordinary ricks, was, as far as I know, only used by myself. The advantages gained by the use of these apparatuses are so great that they are doubling or quadrupling every year in the vicinity of Glasgow, where alone the rick-lifters and forks are made, and in a few years, I have no doubt, they will become as common with us as they are on American farms. In the south-west the growth of timothy as a hay crop has very much increased of recent years, and the stacking of such long, tough hay on many farms was almost the most severe work of the year, and work, besides, which could only be undertaken by strong, able-bodied men. Since the introduction of the rick-lifter and horse fork, not only is the work very much lighter, but each man will secure three times the hay he did before. As several improvement have been made in these machines since I last wrote you on this subject, I thought I might do worse than draw attention to them, seeing the haying season will soon be on us, and farmers will be beginning to consider whether or not they should invest in any of these apparatuses. A new rick-lifting apparatus has also been introduced, which, I expect will be useful in many situations where the expense of the ordinary lifter would be grudged.

The rick-lifter, as far as its main features are concerned, still remains the same, strength being, however, added to parts which were founded to be weak, and weight taken off other places found to be too strong. The best improvement which has been made is in the hauling-on apparatus, the roller of which, in the best class of lifters, is now placed across the front of the platform, but lower than it, whereas it was formerly always placed above the level of the platform. In the old pattern, whenever a large rick had to be lifted, and was drawn anything more than the usual length forward, so as to get the load balanced, the hay became entangled in the roller, and was a serious source of trouble where large ricks, or one having very wide bottoms, were being removed. Now, however, owing to the lowness of the roller, the rick can be drawn forward right over the top of it without ever becoming jammed. Owing to this improvement, the platform can be made much shorter than formerly, and yet be able to accommodate a larger rick; while the whole apparatus, being reduced in size, is more handy and serviceable. Combined malleable and cast-iron wheels, of a light yet strong and neat pattern, are now used by one of the Glasgow makers in preference to the solid wooden wheels used by some makers and the wooden spoked ones used by others. Nearly all makers now use a self-locking apparatus, so that whenever the platform drops down on the shafts its mechanically locks itself, and a handle at the near side of the shafts enables the driver to at once relieve the catch and tip up the load. The pawl of the ratchet wheel is now generally made to work above the lever instead of under it, which, though a minor and simple improvement, is also a very important one.

The above alterations have all been thoroughly tried and have been found to be real improvements, whereas there are several others which have been made, but have not been long enough tested to class them as improvements, or simply alterations or novelties. The most important of these is probably the use of a horse for hauling on the rick, instead of the manual power at present generally in use. This is attained in one system by attaching to the end of the roller a light grooved pulley about 3 feet in diameter and 3 or 4 inches broad, with a curved groove round the face. The other arrangements of the rick-lifter are the same as formerly, only the lever and ratchet wheel are dispensed with, and the end of the shaft is made square, and on which the large grooved pulley is temporarily fixed. The lifter having been put in position, and the ropes or chains fixed as for manual power, a rope 20 yards long or so is wound the large pulley, which is then slipped on the square end of the haulage roller. A horse is now yoked to one end of the rope on the large pulley, and when power is applied to it the rope is unwound while the rick is being hauled on to the platform. The rick having been drawn on, the pulley is taken off, and the rope rewound on it, when it is ready to be used on another rick-lifter, if used on the field. The principal difficulty of this arrangement appears to lie in the enormous distance the horse is from his draught when the rope has been unwound one or two times the circumference of the pulley, which, to have power, must be made large, otherwise the horse will be unable to haul the rick on. An improved modification of this arrangement is likely, however, to be tested this summer.

Another arrangement which has been tried consists of two sets of double pulleys, one set on each side of the rick-lifter. The rick-lifter having been placed in position, one block on each side is fixed to be a strong staple at the front of the platform. Both sets of blocks are then drawn as far asunder as possible, and connected by a short, stout rope behind the rick. The rope of each pair of blocks is then fixed to a plough tree, to which a horse is yoked, and the blocks, when drawn together, pull on the rick. Several ricks of from 15 to 16 cwt were loaded in this manner; but this system suffered the same as the one already described, in the horse being too far away from the load, and the hay at times blocking up the ropes in the pulleys. It had, therefore, to be discontinued, as being no improvement on the hand-lever presently in use. Another arrangement of pulleys has also been proposed, but as yet has not been practically tested the idea only existing in model. Models, however, are proverbial for working much better than full-grown machines.

In the present pattern of rick-lifter, all the levers work up and down like a pump handle. One maker has, however, made a change in this, and adopted a horizontal motion, similar to that of a ship captain. In this case the lever is also lengthened and the power increased, but as it has not yet been thoroughly tested, I am not prepared to say whether or not its adoption will be an improvement. A new style of rick-lifter was last summer made and exhaustively tried and found satisfactorily, a description of which I will reserve for another paper, as full details of it would make this one too long.

What a massive change to the hay field!

Most of the accounts of the Highland show provide an overall account of what implements and machines were on display throughout the implement yard and the motion yard.

A small number of accounts published in newspapers in north-east Scotland wrote articles on the show from a north-eastern perspective. These drew attention to the makers from the north-east that were exhibiting their manufactures at the show. This not only showed what they were exhibiting but also what the north eastern makers were contributing to the show. For agriculturists, it could also provide them with information on what their local makers were making and who they could purchase items from.

Banffshire journal and general advertiser provided one such account in its pages on 24 July 1877. It was a lengthy and detailed account and provides invaluable information on what makers in the region were making and exhibiting. It is quoted at length:

“Implements

The implement yard of the Highland Society always affords scope for a day’s pleasure and instruction, even although as on this occasion there are few novelties of invention. To-day the stands are mostly in complete order, and the heavy machinery in readiness for being put in motion. The number of heavy engines and machines for motion are fewer than they need to be at southern exhibitions. Many are devoted to various implements of husbandry, and among these some of the most attractive are from the northern counties.

Banff is worthily represented by the products of the Foundry of Messrs G. W. Murray & Co. They have one of the largest stands in the yard, no. 130, of 200 feet in length, and display thirty-three different machines and implements. The greatest novelty is perhaps the patent one way plough, which is now ranking as a marked success for use on the farm. They have various specimens of single and double furrow ploughs, thrashing machines, including the successful “Tiny” thrasher, chain pumps, oilcake mills, and various reapers by Hornsby and Wood. Messrs Murray have also a stand of machinery in motion, very much like that which attracted so much attention at Aberdeen last year. Another Banff exhibitor is Mr Francis Murison, Itlaw, the inventor and patentee of the one way plough and combined drill plough, which he shows along with a turnip lifter and drill harrow combined.

The county of Aberdeen is also well represented in the implement yard. Messrs Sellar & Son of Huntly show as usual a selection of ploughs most highly finished. They have samples of the digger or cultivator with two and three breasts, invented by Mr J. W. Barclay, MP; various patent harrows invented by Mr R. Sellar, and grubbers and drill scufflers. Messrs Craig & Clark, Oldmeldrum, have brought prominently forward in connection with their circular-framed grubber or scarifier a combined cultivator and digger which has been tested in Aberdeenshire with complete success, and has been rewarded with the gold medal of the Royal English Society. Several Peterhead firms exhibit. Messrs Mitchell & Son have in one stand under cover the patent farm yard manure distributor, invented by Mr John Fraser. In an open stand they display Pirie’s ploughs, sowing machines and reapers. Mr Jas Simpson, Peterhead, exhibits a broadcast sowing machine.

The city of Aberdeen has several representatives in the implement department. The chief of these are Messrs B. Reid & Co., who in a large stand (130 feet) show various drill and broadcast sowers, of which they are patentees and makers, horse rakes, hand thrashing machines, reapers by various inventors, and besides general agricultural implements, a selection of wire work. Messrs Harper & Co., Aberdeen, have a stand with wire foot bridge, and wire bowers, with iron columns. Messrs Davidson, Aberdeen, have a stand with seven specimens of springed vehicles.

The city of Aberdeen has several representatives in the implement department. The chief of these are Messrs B. Reid & Co., who in a large stand (130 feet) show various drill and broadcast sowers, of which they are patentees and makers, horse rakes, hand thrashing machines, reapers by various inventors, and besides general agricultural implements, a selection of wire work. Messrs Harper & Co., Aberdeen, have a stand with wire foot bridge, and wire bowers, with iron columns. Messrs Davidson, Aberdeen, have a stand with seven specimens of springed vehicles.

From Morayshire there is exhibited by Messrs Munro, Forres, a turnip lifter invented by Mr John Munro. A turnip topping and tailing machine is also shown by Mr Duncan Rose, Academy Street, Inverness.

One of the greatest objects of interest in the implement yard is the apparatus of binding sheaves attached to the reaper of Wood & Co. That firm have a large stand in the centre of the show. The implement with binding gear is placed in a conspicuous position, and should be seen by every visitor to the show.”

Quite a varied display from makers in the north-east of Scotland.