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The Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement undertook an important survey of agriculture and rural improvement in Britain from 1793 to 1817. This series was referred to as the County Agricultural Surveys, with each report having the title “General View of the Agriculture of the County of …”. Each survey generally focused on a county or a small number of counties.

Each survey was systematically undertaken and written up under a number of headings. These included geographical state and circumstances, state of property, buildings, mode of occupation, enclosing, draining, arable and grass grounds, implements, gardens and orchards, woods and plantations, wastes, livestock, rural economy, political economy, obstacles to improvement, and means of improvement.
The accounts contained detailed accounts of the implements and machines used in each county, together with the changes that were being made to them.

The account for Fife written by John Thomson, provides a range of insights into the character and state of implements used in that county. It is worth quoting at length:

“Formally the implements of husbandry were few, simple, and rudely constructed. But of late, from the progress of agricultural science, the superior and more diffusive knowledge of mechanical arts, and a growing taste for neatness and elegance, their number has greatly increased, and they have received much improvement in the mode of construction and excellence of workmanship. As it was the principal design, so it has been the happy effect, of these additions and improvements, to facilitate, expedite, and render more perfect, the various necessary operations of husbandry. In mentioning these implements, we need not take up time with a very particular and minute description of them, as they are, in general, the same here as in the neighbouring counties, and have been distinctly described in other agricultural surveys.

The old Scots plough is now almost entirely gone into disuse, and its place supplied by a small light plough, usually with an iron head and a cast mettle mould-board, constructed on such principles as to require less power to draw it,and to perform the work with greater exactness and perfection. Few ploughs, constructed entirely according to the form of Mr Small’s, are used in this county. They are thought not to answer well, and therefore not in general estimation. This, however, may be owing, not to any defect in the form of the plough, when properly made, but to the want of skill in our mechanics, who may not be able to execute the work with sufficient exactness.
The plough most commonly in use has no chain; the sheath is of wood, and without curvature; and the mould-board, instead of being hollow, is round. The beam, though sufficiently low behind, is formed with such a curvature as to bring the bridle down to the proper line of draught, and is frequently strengthened with a plate of iron planted on each side, and extending the whole length; or, in place of these, with a plate of iron on the lower side. The part where the coulter passes through it, is fortified with a piece of iron above and below. But a great part of this iron work is unnecessary, as the beam seldom gives way, except at the coulter or sheath;a nd therefore, if properly secured at these points, there will be little danger of failure.
The hollow mould-board is certainly best for opening up stiff ground, and for ploughing ley, strong clay, or such land as admits of a clean furrow. But when the mould is loose, wet, and apt to fasten to the plough, the round mould-board seems to be preferable, as it clears itself more easily of the earth, and makes the furrow neater.
The harrow is another implement indispensably necessary in husbandry. It is commonly four feet square, and consists of four bulls, with four slots passing through them at right angles; and both the bulls and slots at equal distances from one another. Each harrow has 20 iron teeth, or tyne, as they are usually termed, five in each bull; the whole weighing about 72 English pounds.
I do not know that any remarkable improvement has been made upon this instrument in this county, though it certainly is very capable of it, particularly in the arrangement of the tyne, with a view to produce as many separate ruts at once as possible.
Each harrow is drawn by ne horse; and generally two, sometimes three horses are yoked a-breast. The power is applied to one of the corners of the harrow, to give a greater breadth to the stroke, and to increase the number of ruts.
There is a heavy harrow, called a break, which is used for breaking stiff land, and loosening and tearing up grass roots and quick weeds. The construction of this is much the same with that of the common harrow, only much larger and heavier, and furnished with a greater number of teeth. Sometimes it consists of two parts, which move on iron joins; constructed in this manner, the whole harrow will be able to touch the ground, and no part of it pass without doing execution. In some cases, however, I should think the other kind preferable. In land that is uneven, and starts up into hard, lumpy, and tough points or eminences, the jointed harrow can bear upon these with only half its weight at a time; but when the other is drawn right across them, they have to sustain the weight of the whole harrow, and consequently will more readily give way, To answer every purpose for which the break-harrow is necessary, and at the same time, to save the expense of having more than one; the jointed kind may be made to act occasionally as if it were all one piece, by the application of one or two strong cross bars so fitted as to be conveniently put on and removed, as circumstances may require.
There is also a small light harrow used by many of the farmers for covering grass seeds. This is very proper, especially when the grasses are sown among young springing grain of any kind, as there is no danger of its tearing up the young plants, which the larger harrow often does.
Rollers are much used, and now considered as necessary implements in husbandry. They are either of stone, or cast iron. They are either of stone, or cast iron, or wood, from five feet to five feet and a half long, and of different diameters and weight, according to the materials of which they are formed, and the purposes they are meant to serve. They are sometimes made to consist of two pieces; and, if made of wood, the pieces bound, each at both ends, with hoops of iron, and moveable independently of one another.
As different kinds of ground, and the different purposes of rolling, may require rollers of different weight, it might be proper to make the roller light, but with a box on the frame or carriage, into which stones or any other heavy substance may be put occasionally. In this way the weight could be increased or diminished at pleasure, and the same roller be made to answer in all cases.
The usual purposes to which the roller is applied, are, smoothiing grass lands, or giving them more solidity when loose and open, and breaking the clods of rough land under tillage. It is likewise applied to land newly sown with flax or grass seeds, or turnip; and when young wheat is harrowed in the spring, a practice which is sometimes followed, this operation is usually succeeded by rolling, There are some kinds of land that have a natural tendency to heave and swell, soon after the grain is sown, by which the tender plants are in danger of being torn up by the roots and destroyed. Frequent ploughing may reduce and consolidate this kind of soil, but where this remedy has not been used, nothing except the application of a heavy roller can save the crop.
Instruments for drilling and hoeing are numerous, and of various construction. The drill barrow, for sowing turnips and other small seeds, is simple and of easy management. One kind requires only one man, and another two, to ,damage it. Some years aho a kind of drill machine for turnip was in use, which was drawn by a horse, run upon two wheels which turned the seed box, had a share for making the rut or furrow, and dragged a small harrow behind for covering the seed. But this is now less commonly used, and has given way to others more simple, and equally answerable.
Besides the hand-hoe, there are two kinds of horse-hoeing; one for the purpose of laying away the earth from potatoes, turnip, or drilled beans, which is made quite close on the left side, to prevent the earth from falling upon, and covering up the sound plants; but is otherwise mounted like a common plough, only of a smaller size. The other, designed to lay back the earth to the plants, is usually furnished with a mould-board on each side, moveable on joints at the sheath, which consequently can be more or less spread out,a nd fixed at any width, which the distance of the drill rows may require. It has sometimes two socks or shares, one like that of the common plough, and another broad, obtuse pointed, and of a sharp edge, designed to cut the weeds, clean the bottom of the furrow, and to raise up more earth to be laid to the rows.
The reaping hook needs scarcely to be taken notice of. This instrument continues much the same as that it has been from time immemorial, and probably is incapable of any material improvement. In some places, and on particular occasions, when reapers have been scarce, cutting grain with the scythe has been practiced. But as a sufficient supply of hands can generally be procured in this populous county, this mode of reaping has not become an object of consideration, nor is it constantly followed by any one.
Wheel carriages have undergone the same improvements, and are brought to the same perfection, in this, as in other counties, These used in husbandry are chiefly of two kinds, the close cart, and the corn cart. The former is of greater or less dimensions and strength, according as it is to be drawn by one or two horses. Axles of iron are much used, both from a principle of economy, and from their contributing to the easiness of the draught. The bodies are made to turn over, when unloading, independent of the shafts, to which they are connected by an iron rod a little before the axle. Their sides are strengthened and supported by iron stays both on the fore and hinder part, and when resting on the shafts, they are secured by iron locks before. Of late they are made broader in the bottom, projecting some inches over the naves, by which means their capacity is enlarged, and the side standards, being more perpendicular, are less apt to be strained by the weight of the load. Sometimes a frame is made to fit occasionally on the close bodied cart for the purpose of carrying hay or corn in the straw. Farmers, however, have generally carts constructed solely for this purpose. These are open bodied, much longer, and with a wide projection above, so as to admit a load of hay to the extent of a ton weight. Sometimes they are so constructed, that the body can be removed from the shafts, and, by fixing bars on the sides and ends with iron bolts, they can be easily fitted for the purpose of carrying wood; and were they made close in the bottom, they would be equally convenient for the carriage of stones.
Single horse carts are coming much into use, upon this just principle, that two single horse carts will carry more than one double cart, with less strain to the arts, less damage to the roads, and greater ease to the horses, which, in a double cart, without great attention in the driver, can scarcely ever be made to draw equally; and one man can easily manage two carts of this kind. It is to be observed, however, that if single horse carts are employed in carrying hay or corn in the straw each cart should have a driver, especially where the roads are not very good, as such high and bulky carriages are more easily overturned.
Fanners, for cleaning grain, have been used in this county for many years. This is surely a great acquisition to husbandry. Formerly the farmer was subjected to all the inconvenience of delay in calm weather;a nd when there was a sufficiency of wind, he was obliged either to carry his corn to the fields, or wait till it should blow directly into his barn-door; when often occasioned much loss of time, much extraordinary labour, and much waste of grain. And the same or greater inconvenience were felt at the mills. But now, by the use of the banners, all these hardships are removed. This machine, is of various construction, and of various powers. Some are made only to separate the chaff and light grain, and others perform the business of riddling and sifting also. They cost from 2l to 3l or 4l according to the workmanship and complication of the machinery; and, if properly taken care of, will last many years.
Threshing mills, a late, but most important invention, are now very common in Fife, and their number is increasing every year. In almost every parish they have been erected, and in several single parishes notes than 7 or 8 are to be seen. In the whole county, the number may probably be nearly 300. They are of different constructions, and various powers: and since they were first introduced, have received very considerable and material improvements. Some are moved by water, when a convenient stream can be had’ but the greatest number are wrought by horses. I know of none that do not require at least two horses, Some require four,a nd some six. They trash from two to twelve bolls in the hour; and many of them, by connecting fanners and other pieces of machinery with the principal movement, are made not only to thrash, but also to clean, to riddle, and to sift at the same time.
Of the many excellent and efficient machines of this kind to be found in the county, the one erected some years ago, at Kilry, in the parish of Kinghorn, was reckoned, at the time of its erection, one of the most complete. It is moved by water, and is said to thrash and clean 12 bolls in the hour. Many people in the neighbourhood carry their grain to be thrashed there, which they get done for sixpence per boll. Combined with this, there is a corn mill, a barley mill, and a hoisting tackle, all moved by the same water wheel.
Since that period, a great many other thrashing mills of equal, and in some of superior power, have been erected in this county. There is a very powerful one at Pusk in the parish of Leuchars, which was erected by Mr Buchan the late tenant. And Mr Cheap of Rossie has erected one lately, which, in respect of the excellence of materials and workmanship, the convenience of the several arrangements connected with it, the extent of its powers, and completeness of execution, is equal, perhaps superior to any in Fife.
The advantages of this invention to husbandry are great. It separates the grain from the straw more commonly than flails can do. It performs the work in a shorter time; and requires fewer hands upon the whole. By thrashing wet grain quickly and completely, it saves it from being lost in wet harvests, when the crop cannot be got easily and properly dried. In short, the same hands, that would otherwise be necessary to the farm, will be able, with this instrument, to accomplish the business of thrashing without much perceptible loss of time, as they can always in an hour in the morning, before they go out to the plough, or other work without doors, thrash as much as will serve the bestial for one or perhaps two days.
In a few instances, indeed, I have heard complaints that this machine, though erected at great expense,a nd judged to be sufficiently executed, did not thrash clean. But this must be owing, did not thrash clean. But this must be owing, not to any defect in the principle, but to some inaccuracy in the construction and adjustment of the machinery: a circumstance not to be wondered at, in a work so new and so complicated. It may be expected, however, that, by a course trials, every defect will be discovered and corrected, and by the improved skill and dexterity which the mechanic will derive from practice, the machine will be brought to such perfection as to remove every complaint.

The photographs showing a selection of horse-drawn implements and machines were taken at past rallies organised and held by the Fife Vintage Machinery Club.

One of the major Scottish implement an machine makers who was well known throughout Scotland, Britain – and indeed the world – was John Wallace & Sons Ltd. The company was already trading in Glasgow in 18655, from Graham Square. Graham Square was to form the address of the company until the late 1960s. By 1894 it had premises at 7, 9, 10 and from 28 to 38 Graham Square. By 1905 there were also branches at Ayr, Cupar, and Stirling; in 1913 they were recorded as Ayr, Perth, Cupar and Lanark.

The company was a forward looking on: it became a company limited by guarantee in December 1896; it changed its form a number of times during its history. It started to exhibit at the Highland Show in 1867, and attended shows in each of the different show districts, demonstrating its wish to be a company known throughout Scotland. The Highland and Agricultural Society awarded it numerous awards for its manufactures including a medium silver medal for collection (1870, 1875). It also won a number of awards at the Society’s prestigious implement trials, including third prize of £5 for potato digger in 1881, and equal award (with 3 others) for potato digger or lifter in 1911. It also entered a number of the Society’s trials including its trial of mowers in 1882, trial of binders in 1893, turnip lifters in 1895, swathe turners in 1905, potato diggers or lifters in 1909, potato diggers or lifters in 1911, and potato planters in 1914. The company regularly advertised in the Scottish agricultural press from 1864 onwards.

The company also took over the business and patterns of other leading implement makers in the west of Scotland. The included Archibald Forest, award winning plough maker, Uddingston, Lanarkshire; Archibald became the foreman in the plough department of the Wallace works in 1905.

The company had a wide range of trades: from the 1870s they included agricultural implement maker, constructional engineer, contractor, engineer, galvaniser, also iron house and roof constructor, iron door maker, iron and wood building manufacturer, lawn mower maker, and machinery merchant. It made a wide range of manufactures including ploughs, harrows, turnip drills, potato diggers and lifters, reapers and mowers, hay making machinery, and iron buildings. It became a significant agent for a range of implements and machines from the best known and renowned makers in Britain. In 1911 they included Blackstone & Co. Ltd, Stamford, Frost & Wood, Ontario, E. H. Bengal & Co., Heybridge. In 1913 that list also included W. N. Nicholson & Sons Ltd, Newark on Trent, and the Oliver Plow Company, South bend, Indiana.

The Wallace family were key players in the development of the company. In 1896 they included James Wallace, William Wallace, Robert Wallace, John Wallace, William B Wallace, and John F. Wallace. They included notable figures in the implement and machinery trade, as well as the wider community in Glasgow. The Scottish Farmer highlighted some the qualities of William Wallace in an obituary on May 18, 1912. It reads:

“While this is important in recording the great William Wallace’s achievements, it also provides a good deal of information about his role within the wider public life of Glasgow, and the important contribution that he made to it. It also sets out some of the wider history of the eminent firm of John Wallace & Sons, and the wider role of the family within Scottish and world agriculture.
“Mr William Wallace, J.P.
Throughout the agricultural world there will be abiding sorrow at the tidings of ex-Bailie William Wallace, managing director of the well-known firm of John Wallace & Sons (Ltd), implement makers and agents, Glasgow. Mr Wallace was for many months a sufferer, and he might have said that he had suffered many things of physicians, and had been little the better. He passed away on Monday, 13th inst., in his own home, 5 Oakley Terrace, Dennistoun, Glasgow, aged sixty-five.

Mr Wallace belonged to an old Ayrshire family, hailing from the parish of Fenwick. He was born in Dalkeith while his father was foreman in Mushatt’s Foundry in that town. Subsequently Mr John Wallace removed to Mill of Haldane, in Kilmaronock parish, Dumbartonshire. There he kept the local “smiddy”, and developed that skill in handling agricultural machinery and implements which eventually went to the establishing of the reputation of his firm as one of the foremost in that trade. At Mill of Haldane Mr William Wallace and his elder brother, Mr James, who predeceased him, were brought up, and made their first acquaintance with their future trade in the country “smiddy”. About half a century ago the family removed to Glasgow, and James and William joined their father in founding the firm that has long been in the front. Mr James Wallace devoted himself more to the mechanical side of the business, and was therefore not so well known publicly as his brother. Mr William Wallace for many years was the representative of the firm at all the principal shows, and in many of the chief market towns. He was a first-rate business man, a good salesman, with a fine commercial instinct, and honourable and straightforward to a degree. Possibly there was in broad Scotland no better known or more widely respected member of the implement trade. A life member of the principal agricultural societies, he frequently was chosen as the spokesman of his trade when arranging details with these institutions. He also devoted much time and attention to the work of the Glasgow Agricultural Society, of which he was for various terms a director.

In 1902 Mr Wallace entered the Glasgow Town Council, and soon won a foremost place in its committees. He was not fond of public speaking, but when occasion required he could give quite a good account of himself at the Council board. His best work, however, was done in committee, and so highly were his qualities esteemed that after a comparatively short probation he found his way to the bench. As a magistrate, Bailie Wallace shone. He was essentially a man of kindly disposition, and aimed at being just. On the bench these qualities had full play, and he was held in much esteem as one of the best of the citizen magistrates. Identified throughout his life with the total abstinence movement, his experiences as a magistrate confirmed him more and more in the belief that the liquor traffic was prejudicial to the best interests of society. If possible, his total abstinence principles became more pronounced as he advanced in years, and in connection with that matter he was well known to be one of the temperance stalwarts in the licensing bench. He was a representative of the Town Council on the governing bodies of the West of Scotland Agricultural College and the Glasgow Veterinary College, and he also devoted much attention to the affairs of the Scottish Labour Colony.

Altogether, Bailie Wallace spent a worthy, noble life, working for the good of his fellow-men, and in business relationships securing the cordial goodwill of customers and competitors. He was universally recognised as a “white man”, one who played the game, and never feared either to express his opinions or to act up to them. He is survived by Mrs Wallace, who was in all points a most worthy helpmeet, and their family of four sons and one daughter. Two of the sons-Messrs John F. and Duncan-are in the form of John Wallace & Sons (Ltd); one-Mr Wm B. Wallace, formerly farmed at Broomhouse, Corstorphine, and is now farming in Surrey; and the fourth is in South Africa. To Mrs Wallace and her family we tender our respectful sympathy. The funeral, which was private, took place on Thursday to Janefield Cemetary, Glasgow.”

If you are walking round the rally fields, the chance is you will see an implement or machine made by the Wallace family. There are still a few to be seen.

The photographs were taken at rallies across Scotland in 2014 and 2015.

One of the major implement and machine makers in the Borders was Thomas Brown & Sons, Cammo Foundry, Duns, Berwickshire.The head of the firm was Robert Brown.

According to the North British Agriculturist in July 1893, “the firm of Messrs Thomas Brown & Sons, Cammo Foundry, Duns, Berwickshire, was established by the late Thomas Brown at Edington, near Berwick-on-Tweed, over forty years ago, who was well known as a plough maker all over the Borders. Ten years later, Mr Brown turned his attention to the making of reapers and mowers, and in this was eminently successful, for, so rapidly did he gain a reputation for the efficiency of his machines, that he found his premises inadequate for a growing trade, and consequently removed to Duns to more commodious premises, where he added to his establishment an iron and brass foundry for producing the castings required for the different implements. Here he carried on the business in partnership with his sons under the title of Thomas Brown & Sons. About ten years ago the firm gave their attention to engine building, turning out in large numbers useful vertical farm engines; and later, to threshing machines, which are now a special branch of their different manufacturers. The growth of their reputation in this department has been a rapid one, for the farming public have been early to recognise in their engines and threshing mills a superiority for efficiency and finish. Two years ago, Messrs Brown’ works were rebuilt with considerable additions, and have been fitted with the most modern iron and wood working machinery for rapid and accurate production. The late Mr Brown, the founder of the firm, who died nearly a year ago, was one of the earliest makers of reapers in this country, and with the stamp of the “Cammo” reaper and mower, his name will be honourably identified all over Scotland and the north of England. The firm is now carried on by the sons, who have been practically trained in all the branches of engineering; and Mr Robert Brown, the eldest son, whose likeness we reproduce, is at the head of the concern.”

If you were looking to buy a threshing machine in 1884 you could have purchased one from a range of makers: ones that were internationally, nationally and locally known in Scotland; English makers also sold their mills into Scotland.

The Highland Show provided a showcase for threshing mill makers to bring their mills to the attention of Scottish purchasers. At the 1884 Show, held in Edinburgh, there were 21 exhibitors, both Scottish and English.

A well-known thrashing mill maker in north-east Scotland was Shearer Brothers, Maybank Works, Railway Station, Turriff, later of Balmellie Street, Turriff. 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. It was awarded a medium silver medal for foot power thrashing machine in 1876. It also entered into the trial of machines for cleaning all sorts of grain and other seeds from weeds in 1884. It was also regular advertiser in the North British Agriculturist from 1884 onwards.

One of the big names in manure distributors at the turn of the twentieth century was J. & R. Wallace Ltd, The Foundry, Castle Douglas. It had won the first prize of the ‘great Newcastle trials of the RASE’ (Royal Agricultural Society of England). This was quite an accolade as few Scottish implement and machine makers won prizes at the RASE trials.

If you wanted to purchase a manure distributor or sower you could have chosen one from a number of Scottish companies: Thomas Sherriff & Co., East Barns, James Gordon, Castle Douglas, Thomas Hunter & Sons, Maybole, John Wallace & Sons, Glasgow, Robert Wallace & Son, Whittlets, Ben Reid & Co., Aberdeen, and Robert G. Garvie, Aberdeen.

If you were a farmer or agriculturist in north-east Scotland until the mid 1890s you would have been familiar with the name of G. W. Murray & Co. Banff Foundry, Banff.

The company was already in business by 1868. It undertook a range of trades as an agricultural implement maker, iron founder, engineer, mechanical engineer, iron merchant, pump manufacturer and smith.

In 1868 the company sold a wide range of manufactures. These included corn drills, turnip sowing machines, two horse ploughs, drill ploughs, horse rakes, turnip hoeing machines, rick stands, iron troughs, zig zag harrows, grubbers, chain harrows, Norwegian harrows, land rollers, turnip cutters, corn bruisers and potato diggers.

The company was an innovative one: in 1895 one trades directory described the company as “G. W. Murray & Co., patentees of potato planters and manufacturers of crown threshers for hand and foot power and also for pony power, Banff.” A patent from 1870 was for “improvements in means of apparatus employed in ploughing or tilling land”. Another from 1871 was for “improvements in apparatus for ploughing or tilling land”. It also entered its implements and machines fro the highly prestigious trials of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. They includes the trials of potato planters in 1883, ploughs (1883), grubbers (1883), implements for autumn cultivation of stubble (1885), and implements for spring cultivation (1885).

The company undertook significant publicity work, allowing it to reach a Scotland wide as well as an international market for its manufacturers. It exhibited at the Highland Show from 1868 until 1896, when it exhibited in all the Society’s eight show districts, giving it a reach throughout al of Scotland. It advertised in the North British Agriculturist from 1868 until 1897.

The company was highly regarded for its manufactures, winning a number of national and international awards. From the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland it received a commendation for fencing in 1868, a silver medal for a collection of ploughs in 1870, a medium silver medal for a collection in 1872. a silver medal for a chain pump in 1873, a medium silver medal for a turnip sower in 1875, a medium silver medal for a turnip sower in 1876, a silver medal for a thrashing machine in 1876, a minor silver medal for collection in 1876, and a first and second prize for a turnip lifter in 1881.

The company was one for the few Scottish companies to have received an award from the Royal Agricultural Society of England – for a double furrow plough in 1870. In 1872 it was awarded a first prize of 10L for a double furrow plough not exceeding 3.5cwt a highly commended for a double mouldboard or ridging plough not exceeding 2.5cwt. In 1874 it was awarded second prize of 5L for drill,. without manure box, for turnips and other roots on the ridge. In 1880 it received a silver medal for a two row planter.

One of the key figures in the company was George A, Duncan. In 1893 the North British Agriculturist provided a short account of him:

“Mr George A. Duncan is proprietor and manager of the well-known engineer and iron foundry business which has long been carried on in Banff under the style of G. W. Murray & Co. Mr Duncan, who is only in his thirty-third year, spent a good few of his earlier years in Australia. On his return to this country in 1886, the late Mr G. W. Murray, who formerly owned the business, appointed Mr Duncan manager of the Banff Foundry, as well as of the iron merchant’s business, which he also carried on under the name of Murray & Blake. Mr Duncan held these joint offices till June 1887, when Mr Murray died, but he had given so much satisfaction with the management of the business that he was immediately appointed to the same offices by Mr Murray’s trustees. In April 1888, Mr Duncan purchased the premises, plant, and goodwill of the Banff Foundry, and ever since he has on his own account carried on the works, as well as an iron merchant’s business, with marked success. The firm manufacture all kinds of agricultural implements-harrows, turnip sowers, turnip sowers, broadcast sowing machines, grubbers, ploughs, &c all of which have a large sale. In the end of last year the works were completely destroyed by fire, and operations have consequently been carried on at a great disadvantage since, but everything is now in a fair way to being completed, and full work resumed.

The company continued in business until 1897. An auction sale was held on 18 August of “engineers’, iron founders’, and agricultural implement makers’ plant” “owing to the proprietor giving up business.

The photographs of the Banff Foundry seed barrows were taken at New Deer Show, August 2014.

The introduction of tattie chitting trays brought a new line of work to local sawmills and box makers in parts of Scotland.
The boxing system of preparing potato sets was, according to John Speir, Newton Farm, Glasgow, in 1909: “introduced for the purpose of maturing the potato crop sooner than could be attained by the ordinary manner of planting. It is said to have been first introduced in jersey, where it is extensively practiced. Along the whole of the Firth of Clyde it is more or less in use on all the earlier farms, and more particularly in the neighbourhood of Girvan it has been carried to such an extent that several farmers there have upwards of a hundred acres of potatoes all planted from boxes.”

One of the makers of sowing machines in north-east Scotland was George W. Murray & Co., Banff Foundry, Banff.
In 1868 the company exhibited a one horse corn drill and a two horse corn drill at the Highland Show. In 1870 its sowing machines included a small sized corn drill, a medium sized corn drill, a combined land roller and grass seed sower as well as a turnip sowing machine. A few years later in 1877 they included a turnip and mangold sower, hand seed drill, and a broadcast sowing machine.