In the early 1900s a number of local newspapers throughout Scotland reported the erection of new threshing mills on farms as farmers updated their machinery or moved from using the travelling threshing mill to their own ones.
The erection of this plant was a significant occasion. It marked the introduction of new technology, a substantial investment into the farm and its activities as well as a change in the management of the processing of the grain crop.
Farms often marked this occasion with a social event in which neighbours and others were invited to partake in food and drink, and a congenial evening of activities. They also got to see the new mill at work. The feeding of the first sheaf into the mill was at some farms seen to be a special event, sometimes being given to a key member on the farm; it could be a long-standing farm servant or a past tenant.
The accounts in the newspapers provide varying amounts of information about the new mills. Sometimes they record the names of the maker of the mill and the mode of power for the mill (water, engine or tractor).
The following are short accounts from newspapers that record the introduction of new threshing mills onto farms in Banffshire:
“Introduction of new threshing machinery (from Banffshire reporter, 29 October 1902)
Farmers in the Hilton district are realising the importance of having up-to-date threshing machinery. Last week new mills were “set on” by Mr Watt, Blairmaud, and his neighbour, Mr Andrew Lyon, Alehouseburn. Messrs Macdonald, Bros, Portsoy, were the contractors for the Blairmaud mill, and Messrs Wright, Boyne Mill, for that of Alehouseburn. Both mills are on the high speed principle, with dressing, elevating, and chaff blast appliances, and reflect the highest credit on the firms named, alike for their design, quality of workmanship, and their equipment with the best of up-to-date modern appliances. Both mills are driven by ten feet overshot wheels. At the “on put” of the Blairmaud, mill in spite of the rank, coarse, and not over dry straw, the thresh was about eight quarters per hour.”
“Trial of a new mill (from Banffshire reporter, 25 March 1903)
A short time ago arrangements for a renewal of the lease of the farm of South Sandlaw, Alvah, were completed between Mr Greig and his landlord, and this news was hailed with pleasure by Mr Greig’s many friends and neighbours in the parish of Alvah. Mr Greig belongs to the progressive class of agriculturists, being ever ready to adopt new and improved implements and methods of husbandry, when he sees that their introduction is likely to be attended with economy of labour on the one hand and an increase of yield on the other. On Wednesday afternoon a representative gathering of farmers met at Sandlaw to witness the latest outcome of Mr Greig’s enlightened policy, to wit, the trial of a new and up-to-date threshing mill. The mill is a 3ft 6 in one, and is fitted with a high speed drum and eccentric shakers embodying an improvement by the millwrights on the ordinary shakers of this pattern. By a special arrangement of the draught the winnowing is done to satisfaction by one fan, instead of by two or three as in most mills. The mill is also provided with a. rotary adjustable screen. The grain is delivered ready for the market in a loft above by means of elevators, while by another labour-saving device the straw is conveyed past the middle of the “straw end” of the house. The chaff finds its way to a shed about 80 feet from the mill by means of a “chaff blast”. Here again the ingenuity of the millwrights has improved on devices of this sort for the removal of the chaff. The motive power for all this machinery is supplied by an oil engine (Tangyes) of 10 horse power, but capable of working up to 11 ½ horse power. At the trial on Wednesday the mill gave entire satisfaction, all the visitors being loud in its praise. It may be mentioned that a 45 minutes’ “thresh” gave over 10 qrs. Messrs Wright Brothers, Boyne Mills, Portsoy, were the millwrights.”
“Deskford (from Banffshire reporter, 11 January 1905)
Last week Mr Alexander Jamieson, Mains of Skeith, had been fitted up at his farm a fine new threshing mill, by Messrs Wright Bros, Boyne Mills. The mill is driven from a 12 feet by 4 feet bucket wheel. At the start the mill threshed over 8 qrs per hors, carried the oats up to a high loft, and, having a chaff blast, the chaff can be sent to any part of the farm buildings by a spouting. Messrs Wright deserve great praise for their fine workmanship, seeing it is only a month since Mr Jamieson gave them instructions to proceed with the work, A few friends were present to witness the start. A pleasant hour was spent afterwards, when the health if the millwrights was pledged.”
“Deskford (from Banffshire reporter, 21 November 1906)
On Saturday Mr Brodie Taylor, Swailend, invited a few friends to witness the start of a fine new threshing mill which has been fitted up at his farm by Messrs Wright Bros, millwrights, Boyne Mills, Portsoy. The threshing mill is quite a small one, having only a 30-inch high-speed drum, and about 10 feet shakers, which are neatly fitted in with a 4-inch crank shaft. The grain is conveyed by elevators to the loft above, and all this, with a fan and barley beater, is driven up to the required speed by a 12-feet underwater wheel, which seems quite fit to drive the machinery. The grain selected for the thresh was oats which had been a very heavy crop, and these the mill drew in at a great rate and finished very satisfactory. Messrs Wright were highly complimented on the finish they had put in such a neat threshing machine.”
“Installation of threshing plant at Durn Mains (from Banffshire reporter, 27 March 1907)
A pleasant gathering tool place at Durn Mains, Portsoy, on Thursday, when a number of neighbouring farmers and others attended to see the start of the new threshing plant which has been introduced by Mr D. O. Stevenson, who at Whitsunday last entered into the tenancy of this fine farm. Formerly there was a steam engine and threshing mill, but these have now been cleared out and an oil engine and new threshing mill introduced, besides various alterations made, which tend to the more convenient working of the arrangement of the steading. The motive power of the new threshing plant is an Allan oil engine. It is of fourteen horse-power, and is of the latest type, with balance discs on the crank shaft, and is at once easy of management, smooth running, substantial in workmanship, and of a pretty model. The mill is driven by a shaft which is introduced through a hole in the east wall of the engine-house, alongside which is the mill and sheaf-barn, a long commodious apartment. At one end is the sheaf-barn, capable of holding a couple of large stacks at a time, and reached from the outside by a large double door capable of introducing loaded carts. The floor has been all laid with concrete, and everything is arranged in a most convenient manner. The mill has been erected by Messrs Wright Bros, Boyne Mills, and is of the three feet six inch full-finishing type, with Pennie’s patent adjustable rotary screen for sizing the grain. It is capable of threshing about ten quarters an hour.”
“Farm improvements in Portsoy District (from Banffshire reporter, 20 November 1907)
On his entering of Hillside, Portsoy, a short time ago, Mr James Murray, V.S., Cullen, set about making many improvements on the steading and on the land. On Saturday, on Mt Murray’s invitation, the neighbouring farmers and some friends from a distance assembled at Hillside to see the maiden efforts of a new new threshing mill. After the first sheaves had been deftly shaken in by ladies, all the guests in turn “fed”, and examined the working of the various parts of the machinery of the mill, and the skilful arrangements for the conveyance of power by rope from the water wheel. After the threshing was finished, the power was simply and quietly transferred to a bruiser and kibbler fitted in the loft near the hear of grain brought up by the elevators. Everything went smoothly and successfully, and it must have been very gratifying to Mr Murray to see the successful issue of all his plans. When the inspection was over the party adjourned to the house and sat down to refreshments prepared by Mrs Brown. An interesting discussion took place on the use of such a mill for the farmer, and it was agreed that the workmanship of the mill at Hillside reflects great credit on Mr Wright, Boyne, who carried out the contract. A very pleasant evening was spent.”
(from Banffshire reporter, 25 March 1908)
“Mr Peter Gaul, farmer, Whiterashes, Turriff, has just got fitted up at his farm a thoroughly modern and up-to-date threshing mill and Allan engine, the work of Mr Wright, Boyne Mills, Portsoy. On Thursday Mr and Mrs Gaul invited a number of their friends and neighbours to spend the afternoon and witness the “on-putting” of the new mill. The expeditious and satisfactory manner in which the mill performed its work was the admiration of all, and reflected the highest credit upon the millwright.”
