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.
By the early 1950s mechanisation was a key word on Scottish farms. The horse era was giving way to the tractor era and on some farms both kinds of power were used, sometimes for specific tasks. With labour shortages both of full-time and seasonal and casual workers, there was a push to start to find more mechanised ways to deal with the handling, harvesting and processing of crops.
The following selection of adverts from the Strathearn herald from 1954 to 1956 show the implements and machines on a small number of farms in 1954. 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 Sellar of Huntly and Alloa, Newlands of Linlithgow and William Dickie of East Kilbride. 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 Bamford of Uttoxeter (for mowers) and Massey Harris for corn drills and binders). At some farms there was a preference for particular makers.
The farms were using tractor power through Fordson tractors. There were also a number of new or nearly new implements and machines that were available at the sales.
“Nether Braco, Braco (Mr Thomson) (Strathearn herald, 13 November 1954)
Implements
Standard Fordson tractor (spade lugs), Newlands toolbar, tractor sweep, Massey-Harris binder, Massey-Harris corn drill, Sellar manure barrow, Bamford mower, Dickie swathe turner, horse fork, hay slipe, turnip barrow, potato digger, pair wheels and axle, double-furrow plough; 3 carts (1 R.T.). 2 Dux 96 ploughs, drill plough, drill harrows, drill grubbers, horse harrows, 5-leaf tractor harrows, 3-barrel roller, chain harrows, rig marker, drilling trees, plough trees, turnip slicer, weighing machine and weights, Lister churn, Ceresan mixer, sack barrow, byre barrow, potato riddle, Fordson pulley, 250 gall tank, oil drum, paraffin drums, anvil, 3 henhouses, ladders, 15ft cover, fireclay troughs, corn bin, tin Ceresan, rat proof netting (new), netting, stack props, bull blinders, horse harness, and all the usual barn, byre, stable and dairy utensils.
Several articles of household furniture.”
“Tomperran, Comrie (from Strathearn herald, 18 June 1955)
Implements
Fordson Major diesel tractor, only 3 months old, with hydraulic lift, licensed to end of the year; H. M. mower with power take-off; M.H. 6ft binder; two tractor cultivators for Major Tractor; tool bar with three furrow plough for Major tractor; tractor transport box; tractor tipper trailer; hay bogey R. T. with harvest flaks; coup cart R. T. fitted for tractor; Ransome D. F. plough; set harrows with iron trees and transport; set saddle harrows; hay sweep; turnip sowing machine fitted for tractor; three barrel metal roller fitted for tractor; horse rake for tractor; International grain drill (15 spout); Nicholson manure distributor; Tullos manure distributor (new); Allan potato digger; potato dumper; turnip slicer; grindstone on iron stand; electric paint sprayer; steam boiler and chest; two wheel barrows; six rolls barb wire (new); quantity netting, 2 in x 3ft 6 in; three jerry cans; bang chains; wire strainer; wooden doors; two tractor jacks; three stack ladders’ knife rest; six hen coops (wooden); guddle and mell and a few barn and byre utensils; Railton motor van.
The implements are all in very good order and well worthy the attention of those in quest of such.”
Easterton, Blackford (Mr McEwan) (from Strathearn herald, 17 November 1956)
Implements
1954 Ferguson diesel tractor, 2 Fordson tractors, Ferguson ridger, Sellar D.F. plough. Pierce turnip sower (new), 3 Massey-Harris binders, hay mower, potato digger, 2 corn drills, grass seed sower, set tractor harrows (as new), set discs, 2 cultivators, 2 trailing ploughs, tractor trailer, 2 box carts (1 for tractor), corn cart, corn cart body, 2 rollers, 2 roller barrels (new), saddle harrows, light harrows, hay rake, hay turner, Ogle hay fork, manure sower, barn fanners, chopper, weighing machine (tested), 3 ladders, fire extinguisher, 2 fireclay troughs, quantity harness, 2 corn chests, cattle cage, 7 henhouses, warm floored brooder, 2 sack barrows, shafts and pulleys, binder canvasses, potato baskets, oil drums (250, 120 and 50 galls), bellows, anvil, 2 R.T. barrows, stakes, nets, churn, 2 blow lamps, corn sacks, vice, corrugated iron, circular saw, stack covers, 2 turnip slicers, horse ploughs, drill ploughs, scythes, 40 gall drum diesel oil, belting, incubator; and all the usual barn, byre and stable utensils, etc, Nissen hut 30ft x 16ft (if note previously sold), few articles of household furniture, 5 skeps bees, and equipment.”
