Given all the restrictions that were placed on Britain during the Second World War, we do not always think of it as a time of agricultural innovation. However, mechanisation and its increased use was an important part of the war effort. Although there were no major agricultural shows help during the war – such as the Highland Show – there were some demonstrations, including ones at ploughing matches, others arranged by the agricultural colleges throughout the country as well as tractor distributors and the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.
An important demonstration was held at Eassie Farm in April 1944, organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. The following is an account of it from the pages of the Kirriemuir free press and Angus advertiser of 27 April 1944:
“Demonstration at Eassie Farm
New war-time implements
The tremendous strides made in the application of power to agriculture in Scotland since 1939 was amply demonstrated at the two days’ display of new farm implements, held under the auspices of the Highland and Agricultural Society at Castleton, Eassie, last Wednesday, when no fewer than eighty different types of implements were on view. The arrangements were carried out by a committee of management, of which Sir Joshua Ross-Taylor, Mungoswells, Duns, was convener, and Mr John Stirton, Edinburgh, the secretary. There was a large attendance from all parts of Scotland, and from Northern England and as far south as Wales.
Power farming come to stay
Power farming has come to stay and is recognised as a vital factor in agricultural development. Before the war something like 50,000 tractors were in service in Britain; now there are over 150,000 in regular use. In Scotland the number of tractors in the hands of farmers is more than 16,000 and with the machines held by contractors and the Government reserve, the tractor strength of the country is almost three times what it was in 1939.
The use of ordinary tractors with rear attached toolbars for three-crop work was demonstrated late in the afternoon, and was the high-light of Wednesday’s event. It was successfully carried out in light sandy soil. Among the other notable implements were the robot potato planters and the robot transplanter of vegetable crops. The potato planter opens up the ground, plants the potatoes, sows the manure, and forms up the drill all in one operation. There is one man with the tractor and one with the machine.
The handling of dung is one of the heaviest manual jobs now left on the average farm, and considerable interest was taken in the Thwaites power manure loader. The device is effective, and certainly reduces the toil of dung handling, but whether it proves an economic advantage to the equipment of any particular farm will probably depend a great deal on the lay-out of the yards from which dung is to be drawn. A manure spreader was also demonstrated with success.
A large crowd examined a portable thresher shows by Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd (Messrs Barclay, Ross & Hutchison, Aberdeen). It is fitted with an automatic sheaf conveyor, self feeder, also an automatic weighing machine for the grain. In addition, there is a straw lifter for carrying away the straw.
Among the exhibits not for demonstration was a combine harvester, the use of which is extending in Scotland. It is likely to be demonstrated at the Society’s autumn trials. There was also a new type of binder which is being made in this country; it has a direct drive for tractor use. Also on exhibition was a “complete potato harvester”, and two hill drainage ploughs which will be demonstrated at the later trials.
Among the Scottish exhibitors were:-
Macneill Tractors Ltd, who showed the David Brown 3-furrow unit principle plough and unit principle potato spinner; L. O. Tractors Ltd, Coupar Angus, the John Deere farmyard manure spreader, with lime spreader attachment, angle-dozer for Fordson tractor, mill drainage plough, and potato harvester; Mr James Mackintosh, Forfar, Massey-Harris elevator digger, power lift combined seed and fertiliser drill and combine harvester; Mr Alexander Scott, three-way two-wheeled tipping trailer; Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd (Barclay, Ross & Hutchison), Aberdeen, chemical dresser for coating seed grain with mercurial powder, driven by a 1 1/2hp petrol engine; J. B. W. Smith Ltd, Cupar, the “Catchpole Beet Harvester”; John Wallace & Sons Ltd, Glasgow, 5-furrow tractor plough and row crop tractors with equipment.
Thursday’s proceedings
The display and demonstration was concluded last Thursday. There was even a larger number of visitors than on the previous day, with over 5000 people attended. It was estimated that well over £200 has been raised for the Red Cross. Exhibitors expressed satisfaction at the business done.
Mr T. A. Wedderspoon, on whose lands the exhibition was held, said the directors of the “Highland” were very well satisfied.
A number of recordings were made. Sir Joshua Ross Taylor, chairman of the machinery committee of the Highland and Agricultural Society, spoke on the part of the Society had played; Mr T. A. Wedderspoon dealt chiefly with Angus and the need for maintaining fertility, and with larger crops the need for crop row machinery; Mr C. Davies, technical adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture, dealt with tool bars, and Mr J. Mackie, The Bent, Laurencekirk, spoke on mechanisation and the need for better standards of agriculture.
Visitors on Thursday included Mr Allan Chapman, Scottish Under-Secretary; Lord Radnor, chairman, Agricultural machinery development Board; Sir P. laird, Secretary, Department of Agriculture for Scotland; Mr Bonanquet, principal assistant secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.”
