The world of potato harvesting was changed in 1855 with the development of Mr John Hanson’s potato digger. In essence, this was the forerunner of the potato spinner that became the most widely used machine for digging the potato harvest until after the Second World War. Mr Hanson’s machine was the subject of a number of trials in that year and in the following ones. While it was seen to have both advantages and disadvantages over the potato plough, in following years it started to become more widely adopted and seen as an important machine for the raising of the crop.
The following newspaper articles set out the different phases of the introduction of this important machine, from the early trials, through to its early adoption and more widespread used and acceptance by farmers:
The first exhibition in Ireland (from Elgin courier, 26 October 1855)
“Hanson’s potato-digging machine
The first exhibition of this important invention was at the late Belfast Meeting of Agriculturists, in connection with the Irish North-East Agricultural Society. It is thus described:-the potato-digging machine is drawn by two horses, and supported by four wheels, from the onward progress of which the mechanism which performs the digging derives the required motion, the necessary power to scatter the tubers, break up the soil, and root up the wheels; and it is in every and all these respects alike useful and ingenious, on account of the combination of important results which arise from its digging and revolving operations. It is not only capable of digging the potato from every description of soil, without exposing the tubers to any risk of being injured, but, while it performs its work most efficiently and economically in these respects, it is also calculated to break up and pulverise tough and adhesive soils; and, by the revolving operation of the fork spades, forming the machinery which cleanly scatter out the roots, it effects at the same time the most complete mixing of the manure with the earth, and roots up and shakes out the weeds, and brings them to the surface.
Trial near Glasgow (from Glasgow examiner, 3 November 1855)
“Hanson’s potato digging machine
A most useful and ingenious machine, invented by Mr Hanson of Ballycalket Doagh, Belfast, for the purpose of superseding land labour in raising potatoes, and lately used with great success, in Ireland, was tried, the other day, on the farm of Mr Renwick, Garbraid, near Glasgow, in the presence of a large gathering of agriculturists. The implement, which is simple enough to recommend itself at once to the potato grower, consists of an open timber frame, bearing some resemblance to a hand-cart. The back part of the frame is supported upon a pair of large running wheels, set upon a transverse rotating axle, on the central portion of which is a bevil wheel driving a bevil, fast on the forward end of a longitudinal shaft, carried in bearings in the centre of the frame. The rear end of this shaft projects beyond the frame, and carries a wheel or ring of radial digging forks, disposed like the paddle arms of a steamer and revolving at a right angle to the line of the implement’s path. Immediately beneath the digging wheel, there is a broad horizontal ploughing-share, carried by the frame, the share surface being just clear of the tips of the digging forks as they revolve in working. This plough piece, which is adjustable vertically to suit the depth of action required, passes along beneath the drill of potatoes, deep enough to lift up both the manure and the potatoes. In this way, as the manure and the potatoes are elevated upon the share, the rotatory action of the forks scatters out the potatoes, which can then be easily removed. The front portion of the digger is supported upon a pair of small adjustable running wheels, so contrived that the attendant can set the front end of the frame up or down by merely shifting a vertical lever. The machine is drawn by a pair of horses attached to this end of the frame, and, as the share passes along and brings up the earth, manure, and potatoes, it lifts the entire mass within range of the revolving forks, and every potatoe is this thrown out of the drill ready for hand gathering. The trial which we witnessed on the Gairbraid farm was completely successful. Each drill was disembowelled with surprising rapidity, and we remarked that not one of the potatoes seemed to be marked by the forks.-Practical Mechanic’s Journal.”
A trial in East Lothian (from Edinburgh advertiser, 16 November 1855)
“Potato digging machine
A trial of a potato digging machine took place on the farm of Athelstaneford, New Mans (Mr Douglas’s), a few days since. The machine is invented and patented by Mr John Hanson of Doiagh, Belfast. There were a number of the agriculturists of the neighbourhood present, among whom were Mr George Hope, Fentonbarns; Mr Rbert Scot Skirving, Camptoun; Mr Reid, Drem; Mr Oliver, West Fourtoun; Mr Scott, Beanston; Messrs Tod, Castle Mains; and Mr Binnie, Seaton Mains. The day was good, and the machine, under the superintendence of the inventor, progressed steadily-digging one drill at a time, and scattering thoroughly out the tubers. The work was very satisfactorily done, few, if any, of the potatoes being injured or left unexposed by the process. The machine is of a very simple although of ingenious construction, and is worked easily by a pair of horses. It has a broad sock or elevator for penetrating the drill and raising the dung and tubers, which are scattered out regularly to the right by the revolving plate at the end of the machine, to which are attached forks. The motion of the sock is got by the draught; the other by two bevel wheels on the axle of the wheels of the carriage, which give motion to the revolving plate; it has also attached a screen or guard for confining the scattering of the tubers to a space of three or four feet, which allows of their being gathered with greater facility. In digging with this machine it is not necessary to cut or pull the tops of the potatoes, which forms such a formidable item of expense when taken up to prepare for the plough. Considering that a very efficient job can be made of 2 ½ Scotch acres of crop per day by a pair of horses with ease, Mr Hanson’s potato digger cannot be but regarded as a great auxiliary in potato lifting.-North British Agriculturist.”
A trial in Perthshire (from Inverness courier, 14 August 1856)
“Trial of Hanson’s potato-digger at Earnside
A trail of this newly-invented implement for lifting potatoes, was made on Mr Kay’s farm, at Earnside, on Saturday last, The machine is drawn by a pair of horses, with a draught about equal to the common plough. The wheels, about three feet high, run one on each side of the drill that is to be dug up. An iron plate fixed like the sock of the common drill harrow passes under the drill when the machine is set in motion, and a prolonged wheel with twelve spokes strikes the loosened frill cross-wise and throws the potatoes and earth to the right side, leaving the potatoes exposed on the land. The experiment was completely successful, and a number of the agriuclturists who were present expressed their satisfaction with the result, and orders were given to the patentee for several of the diggers. The machine will dig about three acres per day, and when in full operation will require twelve hands to glean after it.-Forres Gazette.”
A trial against other machines (from Glasgow courier, 26 September 1857)
“Trial of potato digging machines
The trial of the potato-digging machines, entered for competition at the late highland Society’s Show, took place on Thursday, on Mr Drew’s farm at Carmyle, in presence of a large number of agriculturists, and of several of our own citizens. Mr Hall maxwell was unable to attend, but Mr McCowan, the local secretary, was present. The judges were Mr Arthur Mather factor on Eaglesham estate; Mr Peter Drew, Carmyle; Mr Andrew Renwick, Gairbraid; and Mr Alexander Murdock, Hilton. Five machines had been entered for competition, but only four came forward. They belonged to the following gentlemen, viz:-
Messrs Smith Brothers & Co., Kingston Engine Works, Glasgow
– Kemp, Murray & Nicholson, Haddington
– Robert Scott, Revoch, Eaglesham.
After a trial, which lasted upwards of two hours, the judges unanimously awarded the premium to the machine exhibited by Messrs Smith Brothers, which is a Hanson’s patent, made by the exhibitors, with improvements in raising and lowering the coulter and front wheels. This machine performed the work in a very efficient manner, completely lifting the drills from the bottoms with the incline sock, whilst the revolving forks thoroughly separated the potatoes from the earth by throwing them up in the air, when they are caught by a netted screen, and deposited compactly on the surface for the gatherers. The other machines also dis their work very satisfactorily, showing that by this new intervention labour and expense are much economised. In fact, the drills were opened up, and the potatoes thrown out as quick as the horses could walk. It was considered by some of the gentlemen that the draught was rather severe, but this is a fault which, it is hoped, it will not be difficult to remedy. Mr Hanson was present, and was highly and deservedly complimented. At the close of the competition, Mr Drew very courteously, entertained the judges and a number of the other gentlemen present to lunch.”
