In Scotland some farms had threshing machines built in the farm steading. Portable threshing machines were also also popular in some districs, as also England.
Henry Stephens, the well-known agricultural writer, wrote about the use of portable threshing machines. He makes an interesting comparison between the threshing system in Scotland and England. His account is worth quoting at length:
“The portable form of threshing-machines prevails in England. As a rule, there is no threshing-machine of any kind in English farm-steadings. The threshing is done by traveling machines owned by companies or individuals, who may have several machines at work in different parts of the country at one time.
Several leading firms of implement-makers have given much attention to the manufacture of portable threshing-machines, and now the farmer has ample choice of machines of the highest efficiency. These portable threshing-machines are usually worked by steam traction-engines, which also draw them from one place to another. In some cases portable steam-engines are employed in working the machines, but then horses have to be used in taking the machine from farm to farm.
In a modern portable threshing machine, the operations of threshing, dressing, and bagging, all going on simultaneously. The machine is supposed to be working in the stackyard. The stacks of grain as they get filled have to be conveyed to the granary-but that is easily done.
The disposal of the straw entails more labour. It is usually formed into a large stack at the rear of the threshing-machine, and the conveyance of the straw from the shakers to this stack is, in most cases, accomplished by means of elevators, which can be lengthened and raised in the pitch as the stack increases in height.
The number of persons required to work these portable threshing machines varies according to the operations performed and the speed of the machine. Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, point out that the economy of threshing must depend in a great measure on the proper distribution of the hands employed, and state that the force, when straw-elevators are not used, should consist of eleven men and boys, to be engaged as follows: “One to feed the machine; two to untie and hand the sheaves to the feeder; two on the corn-stack to pitch the sheaves on to the stage of the threshing-machine; one to clear the straw away as it falls from the straw-shaker; two to stack the straw; one to clear away the chaff from underneath the machine, and occasionally to carry the chobs which fall from the chob-sprout up to the stage, to be threshed again; one to remove the sacks t the back of the machine as they are filled; and one to drive the engine. The feeder, on whim very much depends, should be an active man, and should have the control of the men stationed near the machine. He should endeavour to feed the drum as nearly as possible in a continuous stream, keeping the corn uniformly spread over the whole width. The two men or boys who untie the sheaves should stand on the stage of the threshing-machine, so that either is in a position to hand the feeder a sheaf with ease, but without obstructing the other. The men on the stack must keep the boys or men on the stage constantly and plentifully supplied with sheaves, which must be pitched on to the stage, so that the boys can reach them without leaving their position. The main who removes the straw from the end of the shaker should never allow it to accumulate so that it cannot fall freely. The man whose duty it is to clear away the chaff and cavings from underneath the machine must not allow these to accumulate so as to obstruct the free motion of the shoes; he must watch the basket under the chob-spout, and as soon as it is full, empty its contents on to the stage, in a convenient position for the feeder to sweep the same, a little at a time, into the drum to be threshed over again. The man who attends to the sacks must remove them before they get so full as to obstruct the free passage of the corn from the spouts, otherwise the clean corn may be thrown out at the screenings-spout.
When a large quantity is being threshed at one time, additional hands may be required to take away and stack the straw. It is better to cart the sheaves to the threshing-machine than to shift its position in the stackyard. The engine-driver, during threshing, should be as prompt as possible in attending to the signals for stopping and starting, and he should carefully attend to the bearings of the drum-spindle and other spindles of the threshing-machine.
Steam or oil-engines are fast taking the place of horse-power in working threshing machines. Where the supply is plentiful, water still holds its own, and will continue to do so, for it is the cheapest of all motors for the purpose. But the horse-wheel is gradually disappearing, and, for threshing purposes, the windmill may be said to have gone.
The steam engine, in its various forms is suitable for farm work. Steam power possesses two important advantages: it is always at command and can be completely controlled. By the use of steam the threshing may proceed continuously as long as may be desired; while, except in the rare cases in which the force of running water is sufficient to drive the mill-wheel, the threshing for the time ceases with emptying of the “mill-dam”. Experience has abundantly proved that threshing machines dependent on water derived chiefly from the drainage of the surface of the ground, frequently suffer from a short supply in autumn, and late in spring or early summer, thereby creating inconvenience for the want of straw in the end of autumn, and the want of seed or horse-corn in the end of spring. Wherever such casualties are likely to happen, it is better to adopt a steam-engine or oil-engine at once.
The other advantage is also important. Water or horse power cannot be so nicely governed as steam or oil, and, as a consequence with these powers, irregularities in feeding-in the grain or variations in the length of the straw are apt to make the motion of the corn-dressing appliances irregular, which, of course, causes imperfect dressing.”
What a great account! It would be interesting to note what were the districts in Scotland where the travelling mill was prevalent.
The photographs were taken at Farming Yesteryear, Scone, September 2017.
One of the most important implement and machine makers in south west Scotland was J. & R. Wallace, Castle Douglas. It was already established in Cotton Street, Castle Douglas in 1876. It was an agricultural implement maker, engineer, ironfounder, mechanical engineer and millwright. By 1883 it was making reaping and mowing machines and in 1894 turnip cutters, boxed teeth harrows and ploughs. It was to be renowned for its milking machine and manure distributors, both of which were entered for trial in competitions run by the national agricultural societies.
The partners in the business were James Wallace and Robert Wallace. When James Wallace Senr died in March 1924, the North British Agriculturist published a comprehensive obituary of him in its pages of 10 April 1924. It reads:
“Mr James Wallace, senr, of the firm of Messrs J. & R. Wallace, Castle Douglas, passed away at his residence in Castle Douglas on 26th ult, at the advanced age of 77. Born at Fenwick in Ayrshire, Mr Wallace came of an agricultural engineering stock, his father having initiated the implement trade at Fenwick, and later carried on a business at Whillets, near Ayr. On completion of his training, Mr William, in conjunction with his brother, Mr Robert Wallace, saw an
opportunity in Castle Douglas, and opened an iron foundry there, trading under the name of Messrs J. & R. Wallace. The brothers were most successful in the production of farm implements and machinery, their stands at the agricultural shows during the last twenty-five years amply attesting to their skill in inventive enterprise. Perhaps one of their most noteworthy achievements was their now popular light manure distributor, constructed on the hoper and revolving board principle, a machine which beat all others at the great Newcastle “Royal” trials in 1908. The name of the firm has also for long time been identified with the Wallace Milking Machine, which has been brought to a marvellous state of perfection, and used practically all over the world. Mr Robert mainly confined his activities to the indoors part of the business, and was not quite so often seen at agricultural gatherings as his well-known brother, Mr James. Mr Wallace did useful public service in Castle Douglas, serving on the Town Council and the Parish Council, while he also took a keen interest in the United Free Church, of which he was a staunch supporter. He is survived by a family of ten-five sons and five daughters. One of the sons, Mr James, is in the foundry business at Castle Douglas, while the youngest, also an engineer, holds an appointment at Guildford in Surrey. Mr Wallace was one of the highly esteemed men engaged in the implement business, and his demise is regretted by a wide circle.”
The business continued to operate until the 1980s. It was in receivership in 1987.
The Census provides a good deal of information about individuals and the people around them. The 1871 Census provides some information on the size of the businesses of the key implement and machine makers in Scotland. This is through the number of people (usually “men”) that were employed by them.
The following list provides information on the size of some of the main implement making business in Scotland at a time when the implement trade was expanding rapidly and mechanisation becoming increasingly important:
Agnes Shirreff (Thomas Sherriff & Co., West Barns, East Lothian), agricultural implement maker employing 14 men and 3 boys.
John Kemp (Kemp & Nicholson, Stirling), ag implement manufacturer employing 49 men and 18 boys.
Joseph Henry Sams (of Ben, Reid & Co., Aberdeen), Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, agricultural implement maker employing 36 men and 19 boys.
Robert Wallace (Robert Wallace and Son), agricultural implement maker employing 8 men and 1 boy.
Alexander Young, Monifieth, agricultural implement employing 6 men.
Alexander Jack (Alexander Jack & Son), Maybole, agricultural implement maker employing 170 hands.
The list indicates that the size of the businesses varied very greatly, from small enterprises, to large enterprises such as Alexander Jack & Son which was the largest one.
Mrs Thomas Sherriff (Agnes Sherriff), West Barns, Dunbar, East Lothian, took over her husband’s business after his death. Thomas Sherriff was born in 1792, the son of a David Sherriff, farm servant, and Mary Sherriff (nee Ford), in Innerwick, a small largely agricultural parish in East Lothian with a population of 846 persons. He started his business at West Barns, in 1816. Shortly afterwards, on 5 December 1818, he married a local girl, Agnes Ponton.
Thomas was an innovator. In 1843 and 1844 news of his new grain cleaner spread as far away as Reading and Hereford. The local farmers at the wheat market, Haddington, surveyed it and gave the opinion that they “were highly satisfied of its valuable powers, and appeared most anxious that it should be introduced into the county with the least possible delay”. He continued to develop his implements, focusing on seed drills and sowing machines, though he also made other implements.
In 1852 Thomas started to exhibit at the General Show of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, the annual show of the national Scottish agricultural society. That year it was held in Perth. He returned to the following shows at Berwick in 1854, and Aberdeen in 1856. These were important shows, having the largest ever-recorded collections of implements on display, and at a time of increasing growth of the implement and machine industry and the mechanisation of Scottish agriculture. At each of these shows, Thomas displayed drill sowing machines for grain, horse hoes for drilled crops, broadcast sowing machines for grain and grass, and sowing machines for carrots. At the 1852 show he won a prize of £3 for a drill machine for grain and £4 for a horse hoe.
Thomas died on 15 December 1856, at the age of 64. Following his death, his wife Agnes decided to carry on his business. On 11 February 1857 she placed an announcement in the North British Agriculturist, the Scottish national agricultural newspaper of the day. It stated that “following her husband’s death, Mrs Sherriff intends to carry on the business as formerly, and asks for continued orders”. She named the business “Mrs Thomas Sherriff, West Barns”.
Mrs Sherriff built on the successful business that Thomas had set up. She became a regular advertiser in the North British Agriculturist, promoting a range of her implements and machines, and giving them a much wider profile. Her advertising allowed notice of them not only throughout Scotland, but also much more widely, as that newspaper was also widely read in England.
She continued to exhibit her manufactures at the General Show of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Through the award of premiums at that at show, her business became the most highly decorated Scottish agricultural implement maker of the second half of the 1850s and early 1860s. No other implement maker came close. Her business was awarded no less than 32 awards between 1857 and 1861, including nine bronze medals.
Mrs Sherriff continued in business until 1871. On 19 July 1871 she placed a further notice in the North British Agriculturist announcing that “on this day Mrs Sherriff retired from business and transferred the business to her present manager Robert Robertson who will carry on the business, and who is authorised to pay all debts due to Mrs Sherriff to 6 July 1871.” Robert succeeded to the goodwill, stock in trade and tools of the business. He renamed the business “Thomas Sherriff & Co.”, thus starting another episode in the history of that business. He remained there until his death on 18 January 1906.
Alexander Jack & Son was well-known throughout Scotland from the 1830s until the early 1970s. Alexander Jack was first noted in the Scottish agricultural press in 1843 with the name and address Alexander Jack, Sawmill, Auchendrane, Maybole. By the early 1950s he described himself as a wood merchant at Culroy, Maybole.
By the late 1850s Alexander was joined by one son, and later into the early 1860s by another. The name Alexander Jack and Sons was to be known until 1905 when the company incorporated itself and became limited by guarantee as Alexander Jack & Sons Ltd. In 1930 it became the proprietor of another major Ayrshire maker – Thomas Hunter & Sons (Maybole) Ltd.
While the company was always based in Maybole, it opened a branch in Glasgow in the late 1870s. By 1879 its Glasgow premises was at 427 Gallowgate. With the move of the other implement makers to Graham Square, Alexander followed. By 1884 the company of implement makers and wood merchants was based at 20 Graham Square where it remained until at least the Second World War.
The company undertook a range of trades and activities – as agricultural implement makers, cartwrights, railway waggon builders, engineers, timber merchants, steam saw millers, smith and farrier, spring van and lorry builder and wood merchant. It was especially noted for its mowers and reapers, potato diggers and carts. In 1935 it noted how it had been a maker of Scotch carts for over 90 years.
By the 1870s the company also acted as an agent for a range of other makers. In 1875 they included W. N. Nicholson & Son, Newark On Trent, Ransomes, Sims & Head, Orwell Works, Ipswitch, John Williams & Son, Rhyl, Richmond & Chandler, Salford, Manchester, Picksley, Sims & Co. Ltd, Leigh, Lancashire, James Pattison, Hurlet. In 1909 they were International Harvester Co. of Great Britain Ltd, London, Cockshutt Plow Co. Ltd, Brantford, Canada.
The company was a regular advertiser in the Scottish farming press as well as a regular at the Royal Highland Show, where it travelled to all of the show districts. It also frequented major shows in Northern Ireland as well as the Royal Agricultural Society of England. In Scotland it did well at the shows, especially the Highland Show. For example, in 1859 it was awarded a bronze medal for second best sowing machine for turnips as well as other awards for Norwegian harrows, a one row sowing machine for beans. In the early 1870s it was awarded silver medals for its collection of implements and machines. But it was its potato raisers, such as its Caledonian, that won it national awards in England at the Royal Agricultural Society of England trials in 1896. This was a major accolade for a Scottish company against the major English players.
While hay was traditionally carted loose into towns and cities, new means were developed to compress hay into bales to make it easier to transport. Hay baling presses started to emerge and be more widely iused in the 1890s. By 1908 Henry Stephens’ The Book of the Farm could state about them:
“Much ingenuity and enterprise have therefore been exerted in the devising of hay-presses-additional impetus being given to these efforts by the railway companies offering a reduced rate for carriage when 50cwt or more is packed on to an ordinary railway waggon. For this purpose, such pressure as will pack nearly a lb of hay or straw into a cubic foot is sufficient.
At various trials of hay-presses have been conducted throughout the country, and in this way several efficient appliances for the purpose have been brought into notice. Large presses for steam-power have been introduced, but smaller presses for horse- or hand-power are more widely used.”
In 1910 farmers and other agriculturists could purchase a hay or straw press and trussing machine from a number of makers in Scotland and England. The Book of the Farm mentions presses made by Barford & Perkins, Peterborough, and also by Morgan.
The most well-known Scottish makers included Andrew Pollock, Mauchline, who made a hay and straw press to make 1 cwt bales which sold at £12. J. Bisset & Sons Ltd, Blairgowrie, made an “improved” two band straw trusser for £35. Kemp & Nicholson, Stirling, sold a number of models of the “Morgan” hay and straw baler, as well as their own double action leverage hay and straw baler and hay and straw balers, for power. Robert G. Garvie, Aberdeen, manufactured a hay and straw double acting baling press, angle steel framing for £12. Wm Dickie & Sons, East Kilbride, made two models: a new patent hay and straw baler, for horse, belt or hand power (sold for £16), and a hand power double leverage hay or straw baler, with transport wheels and horse trams (sold for £13 10s).
These presses make an interesting contrast with the stationary balers of later year that we now associate with threshing displays and with the mobile balers in later years. You won’t see many of them around the Scottish rally fields.
The first and third of these are probably the most well-known. Reekie made cabs for Ferguson tractors while Scottish Aviation Ltd made a light aluminium alloy cab for Ferguson and Fordson Major tractors and Fordson Major spraying cabs.
Scottish Aviation Ltd, based at Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, was incorporated in 1935, and was dissolved in 1978, manufactured tractor cabs, among other products. Its cab making days are recorded between 1948 and 1967 when it was a regular advertiser in both Farming News and The Scottish farmer. It was also an exhibitor at the Royal Highland Show between 1950 and 1952.
Reekie Engineering Company Ltd, electrical and general engineers, with offices in Lochlands Works, Arbroath, was registered as a new Scottish company in December 1945. In February 1946 it advertised that “electricity will come to your farm” and advertised its services for wiring, motors, machines etc. By April it was advertising seeds and garden implements. In August it was advertising itself as “specialists in land mechanisation”, also supplying agricultural implements, horticultural implements, electrical installations, electric vehicles and tractor oils.
In June 1946 the Arbroath Guide noted that Gavin R. Reekie (who was awarded the OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for his distinguished service with the British Liberation Army – he was mentioned in despatches three times) was “taking an active part in the new Company, Reekie Engineering Co. Ltd, Lochlands Works, Arbroath, which he and his brother have formed to meet the needs of the farming industry with the increased mechanisation of farming. He is the fourth son of Mr and Mrs A. D. Reekie, Westmarch, Harestane Road, Dundee, formerly of Meikle Kilmundie, Glamis. Of his three brothers, two are farmers in Angus, and the other, a director of Reekie Engineering Co., was formerly a Major in the 14th Army in Burma”. The firm became a well-known one and a highly regarded implement and machine maker.
Ryeside Agricultural and Engineering Works, Dalry, also appears to have been another post-war business set up to manufacture agricultural implements and machines. It was first recorded in the Scottish farmer on 4 November 1949. From 1950 until at least 1970 it was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Highland Show.
By 1952 tractors were becoming a more commonplace element of the farming technology on farms. There were also a number of dealer networks to supply the various makes such as those of Fordson and Ferguson.
We have pulled together a list of the main dealers and agents of tractors in 1952. Who was your local dealer? Did they have an impact on the tractors and agricultural implements and machines that were used in an area? How many of the names do you recognise?
Tractor dealers:
Agra Motor & Agricultural Engineers, Quayside, Banff
Alexanders of Edinburgh Ltd, 64 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
Caledonian Tractor & Equipment Company Limited, office and works, 1 Rigby Street, Glasgow
Cumming & Dempster, Dee Street, Banchory
John Davidson & Sons (Engineers) Ltd, 23 Main Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire
James Duncan, Victoria Garage, Maud, Aberdeenshire
Elgin Central Engineers Ltd, Fordson Main Dealers, High Street and Hill Street, Elgin
William Elrick (Aberdeen) Ltd, Fordson agents, 2 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen
Fish Rodger (Tractors) Ltd, 34-36 High Street, Jedburgh
John Fowler & Co. (Leeds), Leeds, diesel crawler tractors, Scottish representative George E. McCaw, 112 Bath Street, Glasgow
James Gordon & Co. (International and David Brown main dealers), New Market Street, Castle Douglas
Lutkins Ltd, 160 Bath Street, Glasgow
Mackay’s Garage & Agricultural Co. Ltd, (Ferguson distributors), Central Garage, Dingwall. Branches: County Garage, Thurso; County Garage, Dornoch
Kenneth McKenzie & Sons (sole David Brown distributors for the North), Evanton, Ross-shire Branches: Conon Bridge; Inverness: 30 King Street
MacNeill Tractors Ltd, 20 Graham Square, Glasgow
Mannofield Motors Ltd, (distributors for counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine for Turner “Yeoman of England” diesel tractors, 571 Great Western Road, Aberdeen
Marshall, Sons & Co. Ltd, Gainsborough, Scottish representative: George E. McCaw, 112 Bath Street, Glasgow
Massey-Harris Limited, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Head office: Barton Dock Road, Manchester
W. & R. Murray (all leading makes), Main Street, Alford, Aberdeenshire
P. S. Nicholson, Elgin
Scottish Tractors (Aberdeen) Ltd, Ellon
Scottish Tractors (Aberdeen) Ltd, Fraserburgh
Scottish Tractors (Huntly) Ltd, Huntly
P. S. Nicholson (Forres) Ltd, Forres
Jack Olding and Co. (Scotland) Ltd, Coronation Works, Coupar Angus, Perthshire
Even though the combine harvester was making inroads into the harvesting of the grain crop, and revolutionising the handling of the crop, there continued to be a number of agricultural millwrights in Scotland. By this time they were generally well-established companies that had been making mills for a number of decades. They included:
Allan Brothers (Aberdeen) Ltd, Back Hilton Road, Aberdeen
Bertrams Ltd, Sciennes, Edinburgh
Clark & Sutherland, Millbrae (and general agricultural engineers), Smiddybrae Works, Kingswells, Aberdeenshire
J. Crichton, Turriff
Alexander Dey, 35 Church Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire
Garvie & Scott, 41 Willowdale Place, Aberdeen
Alexander Dey, 35 Church Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire
Andrew Young & Son, 51 High Craighall Road, Glasgow
The following are some snapshots of the histories of a small number of the millwright businesses:
By 1905 Wright Brothers of the Boyne Mills, Portsoy, made reapers, drillers and threshing mills. It was their threshing mills, and as a millwright that the company was especially renowned. By the late 1940s the business was undergoing significant changes. In early 1948 steps were being taken to incorporate it to become a company limited by guarantee; the company received its certificate of incorporation to become Wright Brothers (Boyne Mills) Ltd. The company continued in business until 1955. On 7 February the company passed an extraordinary resolution to voluntarily wind up the company. Its final winding up meeting was held on 17 October 1956.
In the mid nineteenth century the name of Crichton was associated with Lonmay, Aberdeenshire. The millwright business of James Crichton grew into a thriving and very successful business. By 1919 James Crichton took the step to re-locate his business to Strichen.
By 1919 his business was a well-known one. For the 1921 Highland Show, James advertised his business as a “well-known-maker”, also with “a large selection of the latest and most up-to-date threshers all in motion”. He had agents throughout Scotland, all of whom were well known implement and machine makers or machinery agents: Inverness (James Ferries & Co.), Perthshire and Forfarshire (Ford & Paterson, Broughty Ferry), Glasgow (P. & R. Fleming, 16 Graham Square), Linlithgow and surrounding district (A. Newlands & Sons Ltd), and the Lothians (W. R. Storie, Kelso). By 1922, the business had a depot at 60 Princes Street, Perth; by 1924, it was located at Horse Cross, Perth.
The business incorporated in 1925 to become Crichton’s (Strichen) Ltd, Strichen, and Perth. However, this change was short-lived, as it was voluntarily wound up from 1927. However, by April 1928 James Crichton had established himself as “James Crichton, engineer, Glasgow Road, Perth”, a name and address that continued to be known until at least 1931.
There were further changes. From 1934 James Crichton appears at as a millwright and engineer in Turriff. In the following year he advertised himself as “James Crichton Turriff … threshing machinery the outcome of 70 years’ experience”. By 1948 the business was referred to as “James Crichton, millwright and engineer, Chapel Street Works, Turriff, Aberdeenshire”. It was to move premises, and by 1953 the works were known as “Station Street Works”. That connection with Perth was not, however, lost. In 1949 the business was looking for business premises in Perth. By that time it had a number of long-service employees, such as William Finnie.
James Crichton died in September 1952. The displenishing sale of the stock and plant at the Station Street Works was held on 17 and 18 March 1953, also marking the closing down of the business. But that was not the end of the business or its name.
William Finnie, who had been the works manager for the last ten years acquired the Station Works and permission to carry on business from these premises as a millwright and engineer under the firm name of “James Crichton”, as well as the right to manufacture and supply spares to “Crichton” threshers. By 1969 the company was advertising as “James Crichton, millwrights, bodybuilders and engineers, Turriff”.
Shearer Brothers, Maybank Works, Railway Station, Turriff, later of Balmellie Street, Turriff, was a well-known thrashing mill maker in north-east Scotland. It undertook business from at least 1876 until 1972; on 18 July 1972 the company passed a special resolution to voluntarily wind up the company. The final winding up meeting was held on 29 August 1972.
The company undertook a number of trades and was an agricultural engineer, an agricultural implement maker, a machinery maker, a mechanical engineer, millwright and later a motor engineer. It was active in promoting its manufactures: exhibiting at the Highland Show from 1876 until 1939.
Robert G. Garvie set up his own business in Bon Accord Lane, Aberdeen, in 1895 to make and sell a range of agricultural implements and machines, including threshing mills. Before that time he was a highly esteemed implement maker.
When Robert G Garvie died in January 1921, the North British Agriculturist printed an obituary. It sets out his role in the Scottish agricultural implement making industry, as well as his own development within it:
“With much regret, we record the death on the 7th instant of Mr Robert G. Garvie, head of the firm of R. Garvie & Sons, agricultural engineers and millwrights, Aberdeen. Mr Garvie, who was in his 79th year, was the oldest member of the Scottishagricultural implement trade, and has worked hard right up to the end. He contracted a chill while on a journey to the north, and pneumonia cut him off after a few days’ illness. Apprenticed in his youth to joinery, he became a partner with his father in James Garvie & Sons, one of the best businesses of its kind in the north, and took a leading part in the introduction of wood-working machinery. In 1875 he became manager of the Northern Agricultural Implement Co., Inverness, and a year later joined the late William Anderson in the firm of Ben Reid & Co., Bon Accord Works. As the practical engineer of that establishment, he designed many labour-saving appliances and it was due to his personal supervision that the products of Ben Reid & Co. gained such a high reputation. On leaving that firm, Mr Garvie was engaged for some time by the late Provost Marshall, whom he assisted in the manufacture and improvement of the many machines turned out from Messrs Jack & Sons’ Maybole works. About twenty-five years ago he returned to Aberdeen and founded the present firm of R. Garvie & Sons, specialising in broad-cast sowing machines and threshing machines. From his extensive knowledge of iron and wood working, he was possibly most successful in the making of threshing mills, so much so, that of late years no firm supplied more threshers of the medium and small type required in the outlying districts of Scotland and Ireland. His business so developed that over a year ago he removed his workshops to the fiinely-equipped premises in Canal Road, Aberdeen, where he devoted much attention to the making of artificial manure distributors, chaff cutters, and hay cleaning appliances. Mr Garvie was a typical, hard-headed, hard-working Aberdonian, and everything which left his premises bore the stamp of efficiency, substantiality, and good finish. He will be missed by many from the national showcards as well as from the Ayr and Dublin gatherings, where he was a constant attender. Though of retiring disposition, this who came in contact with him found Mr Garvie to be a man of many parts. Well read, he took an interest in many things outside his business, and socially was a gentlemen whom to meet was to learn from and to know was to esteem and admire. He leaves two sons, Mr R. G. Garvie, junior, and Mr J. T. Garvie, who have both long been associated with him as partners in business.”
Important innovations in machinery to mechanise the hay harvest took place in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. One of the makers who contributed to these important innovations was Mr Pollock of Mauchline.
This is what the North British Agriculturist wrote about Mr Pollock’s work in helping to mechanise the hay harvest, in an article published on 13 August 1914:
“Mr John Pollock and his rick lifter
During the last thirty or forty years, however, a great change has been effected in haymaking implements. With the application of the mower, horse-rake, swathe turner, tedder and hay collector, farmers have been able to cope with the much extended area of the hay crop both quicker and at a very much reduced cost for labour. The heaviest part of the work, however, is when large quantities of hay in cocks in the field has to be carted and stacked in the ordinary way, and labour has been greatly saved on this score by the combination of the horse hay fork with the rick-lifter, a system which was advocated in our columns as far back as 1887 by the late Mr John Speir of Newton and which has now become pretty general all over the country. It is perhaps not generally known that the rick-lifter or hay bogie had its origin in the Kilmarnock district of Ayrshire. The inventor was John Pollock, Park farm, Finchingfield, Essex, formerly of Middlefield, Galston, and Lathallan in Fifeshire. Although now well up in years, Mr Pollock at eighty is hale and hearty and can entertain his visitors with many experiences of his farming experiences in Ayrshire, Fife, and at Finchingfield, where he now resides on the fine arable and stock-rearing Essex farm purchased by his son last October. Mr Pollock was recently interviewed in his home by a representative of our esteemed contemporary The Kilmarnock Standard, who gives a graphic account of his visit, and thus described the origin of Mr Pollock’s great labour-saving invention.
The initial stages of invention
On such high-lying farms as Muirhead and Middlefield, the “calf-round” of the Pollocks, it can be easily understood that it did not pay to plough a large break. In consequence, more loose hay was grown than on the average farm, and the brothers, Robert and John Pollock, were fertile in plans for handling it expeditiously. They early had a mowing machine, and were among the first to erect hay sheds. To save the labour and waste attendant on forking the field ricks on to a cart they put a rope around them and drew them into the shed or hay stack with horses. By this plan stones and dirt were apt to get into the hay, with disastrous results to the chaff-cutter, and many a discussion took place between the brothers as to a plan to obviate this. Ultimately they made a sledge with trams, on to which they drew the rick with horses. This was a great step in advance, but for easiness of draught it was apparent that wheels were necessary. They added low wheels cut out of a round tree to the sledge and attached a windlass in front for pulling on the ricks, but it was not until they adopted the tipping arrangement for the platform similar to a coup-cart (which was John Pollock’s idea) that their invention was a complete success. The next year, 1879, they made a complete new rick-lifter, and it is worthy of note as showing the completeness of their invention and the thoroughness of the workmanship and materials used that this rick-lifter is still used by Mr William Pollock (son of the late Robert Pollock) at cairn, Fifeshire, and performing its work as efficiently as the newest hand-power rick-lifter made at the present day. The following year they made another, and Mr Robert Wallace of Whitletts, the noted implement maker and himself a genius, induced them to exhibit it for the public benefit on his stand at Ayr show, where it was an object of great interest. Mr John Pollock has used this one ever since.
Combination with horse-fork
To secure full advantage of the rick-lifter Mr Pollock recognised that a horse-fork was a necessity. An American horse-fork about that time was introduced into this country, but the principle on which it was made rendered it useless for anything as sold as a field rick, and it could only be worked (and even then not very satisfactorily) in loose hay. Mr Pollock saw that a fork to be of use under our conditions must be constructed on a different principle, and after several trials he devised the hay fork on the shear principle, which is invariably used in hay sheds still. About a dozen years ago he brought out another fork on the graip principle, specially suitable for hay-stacks and much speedier than the other. The builder of the stack does not require to withdraw this fork from the hay, as the attendant on the ground by simply pulling a light rope can deliver the forkful wherever the builder wants it and then pull it down for refilling. Mr Pollock with becoming modesty gives his brother Robert joint credit for the invention of the rick-lifter, and also credits his brother-in-law, the late Mr James Allan, Byres, Darvel, with giving him suggestions; but the horse-forks mentioned above, and which are the most efficient and cheapest in the market, and so simple that any blacksmith can make them, are entirely the product of his own brain. It is all to Mr Pollock’s credit that in neither the rick-lifter nor the forks did he ever seek after a patent, but allowed the public to get full benefit of his inventions.
The spread of the rick-lifter
Although the rick-lifter was recognised as a great boon it was some years before it spread rapidly. This was due to the lack of enterprise on the part of implement makers in not taking it up and pushing its sale. About 1882 a number were made at Waterside, Fenwick, by the joiner there, Mr Robert Wyllie, now in Blackbyre, and a few were also used in Avondale and elsewhere. But in 1887 both the rick-lifter and horse-fork were brought into prominence by the late Mr John Speir, Newton, who contributed a series of valuable articles on haymaking machinery to the North British Agriculturist in the summer of that year. He has used both the rick-lifter and horse-fork on his own farm the year before, and his clear and lucidly written articles, in which he described them, giving all the measurements, &c, in such a way that any intelligent tradesman could make them from it, were eagerly ready by enterprising minds all over the country. Mr Speir did not refer to the inventor of the rick-lifter, but said:-“my attention has also been taken up with a species of sledge called a rick-lifter, in very limited use in the strictly rural and in many places moorland districts lying in the counties of Lanark and Ayr between the towns of Hamilton and Kilmarnock. This hay sledge on low wheels had been in use for a year or two for conveying field ricks from the field to the stackyard. … The time required to load in the field by a man and girl is much about the same as two men require to tie the ropes and dress the side of an ordinary cart of hay, while the unloading is about the same as is required for delivering a cart of turnips from an ordinary tip or coup-cart”.
After that time nearly every country joiner commenced to make them, the farmer generally providing an old cart axle for the wheels. Large makers also began to specialise in them for both hand and horse power for drawing on the rick. Their value is now recognised, and to-day a rick-lifter is an almost indispensible part of the equipment of a hay-growing fram as is also the horse-fork.”
The photographs are of implements and machines made by Pollock of Mauchline and displayed at Pollock Farm Equipment.
The Royal Northern was one of the key agricultural shows in Scotland. It provided an important showcase for agricultural implement and machine makers in the north east and further afield to exhibit their manufactures and those for which they held agencies. The Aberdeen press and journal provided an account of the implement department in its issue of 16 July 1903. It described what was new, innovative and worth a look at the key stands of makers. It is well worth a read for seeing what was on display at that time and to consider how much implements and machines have changed since that date:
“The summer show
At central park at Kittybrewster
The implement department will also possess much interest, and on the various admirably laid out stands one will be able to inspect the implements in their most advanced state of perfection. The plan of the showyard is very much on the same lines as former years, and which experience has proved be the most satisfactory both for exhibitors and visitors.
The implement section
As is invariably the case, the shower of implements comprises a large amount of space of the showyard, and this year there is a great variety of implements and machines on exhibition, showing almost everything that is now and interesting for facilitating and perfecting the work of the farm. We give descriptions of several of the stands, as well as articles of outstanding interest to be found on them.
Ben Reid and Co. Ltd
At stand no. 1, Ben Reid and Co Ltd, of the Bon Accord Works, show a large and varied collection of implements, well finished and tastefully laid out, and well worth inspecting. Occupying a prominent position, on the stand are a number of the Massey Harris binders, well and favourably known all over the United Kingdom. Last year when the crops were extremely difficult to handle the machine did work which enhanced its already brilliant reputation. It is fitted with ball and roller bearings, which make it one of the lightest draught binders in the market. Being most substantially built there is little or no trouble with breakages during harvest, and its durability is shown by the fact that numbers of machines sent out 14 or 15 years ago are still doing as good work as ever. The Bon Accord no. 2 back delivery reaper is also shown on this stand. This reaper is strong and light in draught, and it can, when fitted with mowing show, be used as a mower. The speed of the knife being very high, it makes capital work among hay. Conspicuously displayed are a number of “Diamond” mowers, a mower which was brought out two or three years ago, and in which are embodied several new points. This machine is chain driven, and noiseless when work; it can be fitted with reaping parts and used as a manual reaper if desired. Threshing machines in several sizes form a notable feature. As usual they are well finished. The reputation of the firm for this class of machine is being more than maintained, as we are informed that, although the season has hardly begun, they have already booked a large number of orders. For the hay season are exhibited a collection of horse rakes and hay gatherers which are certainly worth looking at. Other implements on view are a number of “Bon Accord” spring tine cultivators, introduced by this firm about three years ago, and which have been sold in thousands all over the north, drill and broadcast sowers, artificial manure distributors, bruisers, chaff cutters, weighting machines, garden seats, and dairy utensils, etc- all substantial, well-finished goods. This collection is in many respects unique and should not be missed.
Messrs George Bruce and Co
Stand no. 27-George Bruce and Co., seed and implement merchants, 35 Market Street, Aberdeen, occupy one of the largest stands in the showyard. It is situated to the left of the main entrance, and is 200 feet long. Their stand affords one of the fullest displays of agricultural implements in the yard, the exhibit not being confined to any one kind of implement, but being extensive in its character. The attention of the visitor will be first attracted by the firm’s show of the new Albion steel binders, of which there are six forward. They are of the latest type, and embrace the best and up-to-date improvements. The Albion new patent, low down, steel binder, no. 2 is one of the lightest and most compact in the yard, and has given the utmost satisfaction to patrons during the last two years. The driver’s seat being placed low down at the back of the machine he has full command of his horses, and can see at a glance both the cutting and binding gear, and, in case of anything going wrong with the machine, he can pull up his horses at once. Alongside the Albion binders, Messrs Bruce have a capital display of the Albion back-delivery reapers, which are so well known in the north of Scotland that they need no special mention. Messrs Bruce are the sole agents for the Albion binders and reapers. The firm also shows one of H.L. 2 Albion mowers. These machines are fitted with two speeds-one for reaping and the other for mowing. The firm also exhibits one of the Albion H.L. single-speed mowers, two of the Milwaukee mowers, and one Ideal mower. These are very light and well finished mowers, and well worthy of notice. There are also on the stand two Ransome’s horse rakes, two Nicholson’s horse rakes, and three of Ransome’s well-known Scotch ploughs. They also exhibit two baker’s prize vans, also one of Duncan’s and one of Stubbs’ combined barn fans, with elevator and automatic weighing machine. This machine will dress the grain, elevate it into sacks, and weigh it at one operation. There is also a fine collection of dairy utensils, such as Hathaway’s prize churns, the Favourite churns, and Bradford’s butter-workers, in various sizes. There is also a varied collection of general agricultural implements, including weighing machines, hay collectors, portable boilers, drag rakes, reaper rakes, turnip cutters, chaff cutters, cake breakers, corn bruisers, simplex pumps etc. The firm also exhibit a very large display of rustic garden seats, and folding garden seats and chairs in great variety.
The ”Allan” oil engine
On stand no. 8 our local makers, Messrs Allan Brothers, Ashgrove, exhibit a magnificent collection of their well-known “Allan” oil engines, in sizes varying from 5 ½ to 18 brake horse power. The engines are of a new type, combining several very important features not hitherto embodied in any oil engine. A special feature-and one that has proved itself of real undeniable merit-is the safety oil feed, which makes it impossible for a careless or inexperienced attendant to flood the vapouriser and so prevent the engine from starting. Another very fine improvement is the introduction of a new combination self-starter, which is shown at work on the larger engines. This starter can be worked automatically either by the engine itself or by the attendant, and it makes the engine as easily started and managed as a steam engine, and will completely remove the only prejudice which many users of power have to an oil engine of large size. The design, workmanship, and finish of this engine are of a very high standard, and are invariably favourably commented on by all who have a knowledge of machinery, and when the selection of an engine is put into the hands of an expert the choice very often falls upon the “Allan”. The Ashgrove Engineering Works adjoin the showyard, but all the same the Messrs Allan deserve the highest credit for making what is undoubtedly by far the finest exhibition of oil engine seen in Aberdeen, and we have no doubt but that their stand will be of special interest to all who contemplate purchasing an oil engine. We may add that the Messrs Allan have given up the manufacture of gas engines, and are now devoting themselves exclusively to the engine, and are, we believe, the only firm in this country to make a sole speciality of this class of machine.
George Sellar and Son, Huntly
At stand no. 4, George Sellar and Son, Huntly, have a very large exhibition of their own implements, as also of those of Messrs W. A. Wood, London, for whom they have acted as sole agents for many years. The most prominent feature of this exhibit is the display of New Century Binders. The firm had a very large sale for these last year, and, notwithstanding the very stiff ordeal they had to pass through, they turned out well-as is testified ny the lathe book of testimonials which they have received. The binder is strongly built, has roller bearings throughout and has a very large capacity for heavy and tangled crops. There are several new features about the machine; one of them a very simple expedient for slackening the canvasses instantaneously. This enables a farmer, when through working for the night, to relieve the tension on the canvasses. There is again this year a large demand for this binder. There are also shown improved horse rakes and Wood’s celebrated mowers. The outstanding feature of George Sellar and Son’s own manufacture is their own M.P. plough. This is a plough which is fast becoming a universal favourite. Hundreds of them are now in use, and they are being bought by our oldest and most experienced agriculturists. The plough is light, it turns the furrow well, and packs it. It can be used for all kinds of work that any ordinary plough can accomplish about the farm. The device for attaching the moveable point is simple, and not liable to get out of order. They also show samples of their famous no. 27 and 29 ploughs, known all over the north of Scotland. Steel harrows, broadcast turnip sowers, and steel grubbers are also very strongly in evidence. There are also a few oil engines exhibited. Undoubtedly the leading attraction of stand no. 4, as it is sure to be of the showyard, is the Motor Binder, an adaptation of the oil motor to Walter A. Wood’s binder, in two sizes, six and ten feet cut. Not only does this motor binder dispense with the use of horses, but the amount it cuts is about double that cut by a horse-drawn binder; and another great advantage is, that it can be used upon land, not being dependent upon the ground wheel for motive power. The binder can be travelled along without working the knives and claws, and the knives and claws, on the other hand, can be worked when the machine is stationary.
Barclay, Ross and Tough
This well-known firm of implement and seed merchants, and waterproof cover manufacture, occupy the lathe stand at no. 16, situated a little to the left of the main entrance. The feature of the stand is the extensive display of the new light-draught Hornsby binders, fourteen of which have been sold to farmers in the district, and will be drawn by horses from the showyard to-morrow morning, and taken to the farms for which they have been purchased. The binder has been improved upon so as to suit it to northern localities. It has, for instance, been provided with brass and steel bushes in order to prevent it from clogging, and thereby reducing the draught. It has also been suited to deal with light or heavy crops. The object of the firm has been to adapt the binder to suit the vagaries of the weather and the differences of soil to be encountered. This desire, carried into effect, has met with the appreciation of patrons, and a large scale of the binder has been experienced, a great many of then having been sent out last year. The Balmoral plough, which finds a place on the stand, has been proved to be exceedingly useful for the ordinary work of the farm, if not for match purchases. It is a saver of time, and this fact, combined with the circumstance that the plough is light to work, has commenced it to many farmers throughout the north. Among the other implements on the stand are the Albion corn bruisers, with latest improvements, chaff cutters, the Albion new combined bruiser and dibbler, the new patent Albion mowers, with roller bearings and with manual attachments, mowers and reapers combined, horse rakes, and a specimen of the Akroyd engine, which, after a severe succession of trials at the Royal English Show, distinguished itself in the work for which it is adapted. It is used for driving threshing machines, and other implements used on the farm. It is also utilised for the purposes of electric lighting. Indeed, the stand is replete with the newest and most useful implements and machines required for the farm and the forest, and a visit to it should prove interesting, whether the caller happened to be a purchaser or not.
C. F. Wilson and Co
At stand no. 11 C. F. Wilson and Co. show a couple of their well-known oil engines at work, one being of eight and the other of five horse power. During the past year, there has been a great demand for the engines built by this firm, so great that in consequence of foreign and repeat orders, they have not been in a position to supply retail orders. Having lately added to their plant several new labour-saving machines, they are confident of being able to compete with all demands. C. F. Wilson and Co. are at present sending their engines to England, South American, France (mostly to Paris), Capr Town, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, and Portugal. These engines are so very simple that any unskilled labourer can work them. The two engines on exhibition are shown driving two threshing machines.
Robert G. Garvie
Stand no. 11 (Mr Robert G. Garvie’s) will repay a visit. Machines for doing two of the most important farm operations-harvesting and threshing-are on exhibition. The binders and mowers made by the Deering Company are unsurpassed for strength on construction and lightness of draught, and in such grain-growing districts as East Lothian they are supplanting every other binder. Machines of each type are shown, also a new self-acting horse rake, and a new sickle grinder, which is run in ball bearings. Two sizes of threshing machines are shown-one 36 inches wide, driven by an 8bhp oil engine, and one 33 inches wide, driven by a 5 ½ bhp oil engine. The capacity of the former is eight quarters, and of the latter six quarters of finished grain per hour. A glance at these machines will at once show their high finish and substantial workmanship, their lightness and smoothness in running being due to their long bearings and accurate fitting. These threshing machines are made by Mr Garvie in his own works, and such is the demand that he is kept fully employed at them the whole year, and to enable them to cope with the increased orders he has recently put down additional plant of a special-type for this class of work.
Watson Brothers, Banff Foundry
The firm exhibit at stand 17 the “Victory” reaper, which has been considerably improved for season 1903. In addition to brass bearings being substituted in the main bracket for white metal formerly used, the firm have fitted the machines with 21 fingers instead of 19, which will be a decided improvement in the cutting apparatus. The makers claim for the “Victory” that it is the best-balanced back-delivery reaper of its kind in the market. They also exhibit the “Albion” binder and a specially finished threshing machine. A threshing machine built by Marshall, the well-known agricultural engineer, has been sold to Mr John Shirran, Templant Cottage, Auchterless.”
While the first combine harvester in Scotland were being tried by Lord Traprain on the farm of Cairndinnis, East Lothian, in 1932, their introduction and widespread use was not a rapid one. In 1939 there were only 150 used in Britain. Production became more rapid in the second half of the 1940s. One article in the Broughty Ferry Guide and Advertiser from 1 October 1949 noted that: “It is estimated that this year 3,500 new combine-harvesters were in action, bringing the total number in use in the United Kingdom to 9,000.” It added, “Until 1945, when home production of these machines started in earnest, farmers had been dependent on machines imported from America. In the first six months of this year, home produced machines and machines imported were responsible for roughly equal contributions to the total supply; next year production of combines made in this country will show a big increase.”
During the early years of the adoption of the combine harvester there were divided views about whether the new way of harvesting the grain crop was effective and efficient and whether it harmed the grain. The following are two comments from 1944 on how the adoption of the combine harvester was being seen:
“Harvesting locally is going ahead as fast as may be. We are informed that results and performance of the new Combine Harvester are well up to expectations and that the innovation has come to stay. Some of the older farming folks are prejudiced in favour of the old methods, holding that the naturally dried grain is best. An advocate of the new method says that this is just “baloney”. I am not well enough versed in the matter to take sides.”
(From Winchburgh jottings in the West Lothian Courier (1 September 1944)
Wilkieston harvest
Harvest- there are few sights more heartening than the view from our hill these days, with so many fields rejoicing in their rows of stooks. And all the crops are of the best quality. The wheat especially was as fine as we have ever seen; its four-foot straw has stood up well to all the vagaries of our climate.
Labour-Even more than recent years, our district has seen an influx of young men and women to help in harvest work. They come from all parts, as far as Dundee and Glasgow. Maybe the Ministry of Labour acts on the old principle and send them to a place where there is “nae temptation to walk home!”. The workers seem to be quite happy in it here.
Mechanised-We have seen the new Combine Harvester at work; and a compact piece of ingenuity it is. The knives are pushed in front and they cut a 12-feet swath. To obviate too much spread, the thrasher is in the top-hamper. Yet when among the grain, the machine gives no impression of clumsiness. It is on the road that it reminds us of a swan out for a waddle!
(From Midlothian advertiser, 15 September 1944)
Do you recollect the debate around the introduction of combine harvesters or for harvesters for other crops such as potatoes?
The photographs were taken at the Strathnairn Vintage Rally, Daviot, September 2014.
