Adverts for displenishing sales are a useful source of evidence to see what implements and machines were used on particular farms at a specific point in time. They may include implements and machines that had been used for decades as well as newer ones and the latest technologies. They can show the preference of particular farmers for certain makers and makes of machinery as well. They can also be used to show how widespread some implements and machines were, especially if they were more specialised.
The following selection of adverts from a number of newspapers across Scotland shows the implements and machines on a small number of farms in 1935. They show widespread mechanisation with up-to-date implements and machines to undertake a wide variety of tasks from ploughing, sowing, cultivation, management, harvesting and processing of crops.
Implements and machines from key makers were noted. They included names such as Thomas Sherriff of West Barns, Thomas Hunter of Maybole and Bisset of Blairgowrie. English and north-American names were also represented for some of the implements and machines. They included well-known names associated with particular products such as Massey Harris for corn drills and binders, and Martin for cultivators.
The farms were using a range of motive power. Some had both tractor and horse implements and machines, with the former focusing largely on ploughing and cultivating implements and machines.
Abbeymill, Haddington (The Scotsman, 6 November 1935)
“Farm implements &c
4 short carts on wheels, 3 long carts on wheels, long cart body, van, 2 “Ransome” ploughs, double moulded plough, 2 sets English harrows, set chain harrows, set spring-toothed harrows, 2 drill grubbers, “Finlayson” grubber, barley brake, “Hunter” hoe, metal roller, Cambridge drill roller, swing roller, “Sheriff” grain drill, “Sherriff” manure distributor, turnip seed sowing machine, “Massey Harris” binder, mower, potato dresser, horse fork, horse rake, 2 hay collectors, 2 hay bogies, swathe turner, hand hay baler, set barn weights, cattle turnip slicer, vice, troughs, stack stances, ladders, 2 henhouses, 2 brooders, “Tamlin” incubator, milk separator, graips, forks, shovels, spades, hoes, scythes, swingletrees, and other small barn and stable utensils. Also 4 sets cart and plough harness. Quantity of surplus household furniture.”
Thomasean, near Milnathort (The Scotsman, 6 November 1935)
“Implements
4 coup carts, 3 flat corn carts (with wings on wheels), 2 corn cart bodies, 1 turnip cutting cart, 2 binders (McCormack and Standard), McCormack mower, 1 Hosier driller, 1 double driller and manure distributor, 1 grass seed sowing machine, 2 rollers, Martin cultivator, 2 horse rakes, 2 tumbling rakes, potato digger, potato planter, potato screen, 3 senior Dux ploughs, 3 110A ploughs, 4 drill ploughs, 1 rigg marker, drill grubber, 3 Hunter hoes, circular harrows, Permiter harrows, chain harrows, 3 sets diamond harrows, 3 drill harrows, scarifier, turnip barrow, manure distributor (Bisset), power turnip cutter, hand turnip cutter, hand and power hay cutter, 30 sheep feeding troughs, 30 sheep turnip troughs, 2 cattle troughs, feeding bin, 6 fireclay troughs, 3 20-gallon boilers, 6 small cattle troughs, 2 metal pig troughs, 2 galvanised troughs, sheep netting and stakes, 4 sheep haikes, steelyard and weights, 4 wheelbarrows, sack barrow, slipe, cart ropes, 3 sack covers, hose, 6 sets iron swing trees, 4 sets wood trees, 3 iron master trees, harness for 3 pairs horses, 5 sets clear haimes, 2 sets clear chains, horse clippers, 6 ladders-14ft to 22ft, scrap, all the byre, barn and stable utensils, bothy furnishings &c. Also a number of hen houses, 2 foster mothers, 1 incubator, chicken runs, &c.
Note-the implements are all in first-class order, the bulk being equal to new.”
Cuiltburn, Muthill (Strathearn herald, 16 November 1935)
“Implements
Coup cart, 2 F.B. carts, corn cart, 3 cart frames, water cart, “Massey-Harris” binder, “Wood” mower, horse rake, potato planter, turnip barrow, 2 rollers, potato digger, 2 hay collectors, cultivator, 3-horse grubber, 2 Dux ploughs, Oliver plough, 2 drill ploughs, 3 sets iron harrows, set circular harrows, set chain harrows, turnip pulper, 2 turnip slicers, sheep troughs, set fanners, cake breaker, weighing machine, wheelbarrow, potato screen, sheep netting, 3 ladders, sack barrow, end-over-end churn, and the usual barn, byre and stable utensils, including 3 sets cart and plough harness.”
Drumness, Auchterarder (Strathearn herald, 16 November 1935)
“Implements
2 coup carts, 1 coup cart, “International” disc driller, broadcast sowing machine, potato digger, “Bisset” binder, “Bisset” mower, turnip barrow, shafted roller, horse rake, hay collector, water barrel, 2 swing ploughs, Dux plough, 110 Oliver plough, 2 drill ploughs, furring-up plough, drill harrow, long harrow, Hunter hoe, iron harrows, chain harrows, saddle harrows, scarifier, S.T. harrows, 3-horse grubber, cake breaker, turnip slicer, potato barrow and riddles, steelyard and weights, ladders, sack barrow, and the whole of the barn, byre and stable utensils, including cart and plough harness for 2 pair, also 2 henhouses, hen coops, dairy utensils, Hathaway churn, and quality of household furniture.”
East Crieffvechter, Crieff (Strathearn herald, 16 November 1935)
“Implements
2 coup carts, 2 coup cart bodies, corn cart, corn cart body, “Massey-Harris” binder, “Bamford” mower, “Jack” potato digger, potato planter, 110A Oliver plough, 10a Oliver plough, Dux plough, 2 drill ploughs, D.F. plough, tractor plough, grass seed machine, turnip barrow, horse rake, hay collector, grain driller, roller, Martin cultivator, drill cultivator, grubber, manure distributor, brake harrows, set harrows, set chain harrows, 2 drill harrows, set circular harrows, turnip pulper, 2 turnip slicers, potato screens, riddles and baskets, steelyard, sack barrow, 2 ladders, set fanners, hay cutter, and the usual barn, byre, and stable utensils, including cart and plough harness for 2 pairs, also sectional hen house (12ft by 8ft), 2 brooders, 50-gallon paraffin drum, and surplus kitchen furniture and dairy utensils.”
