In 1906 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 or engine).
The following are short accounts from newspapers that record the introduction of new threshing mills onto farms in east and north-east Scotland:
“Inauguration of new threshing plant at Vale of Alford (from Aberdeen press and journal, 19 January 1906)
Mr Ritchie from London, who became tenant of the farm of Cairnballoch, on the Haughton Estate, at Whitsunday last, invited a large number of the leading agriculturists and others interested in agriculture in the parishes of Leochel-Cushnie, Alford, Tough, and Tullynessle, to witness, on Saturday the inauguration of a new threshing mill driven by an oil engine. The mill, which was built by Mr Murray, Burnside of Fowlis, Leochel-Cushnie, consists of a high-speed drum and all other modern attachments, including a hummeler, with blast for driving away any awns and other impurities, The grain is then deposited in the granary for storage, or it can be weighed-up, ready for the market. The motive power consists of a twelve brake horse power oil engine; built by Messrs Soutar, engineers, Elgin; and, although many of those engines are at work in the north of Scotland, this is the first of the kind that has been introduced into the Vale of Alford. From the excellent behaviour of the engine- the smoothness of running and regularity of action-it may well be classed in the fore front of such engines. The method of regulating the charge and the principle of the vaporiser is peculiar to this engine. The oil is pumped from the tank to a small vessel, where each charge is measured automatically before entering the cylinder, and the charge can be increased or reduced to suit the load on the engine, this securing great economy in oil consumption, and regularity in working. The vaporiser is so designed that every particle of oil is thoroughly vaporised and mixed with the proper proportion of air before entering the cylinder so that any amount of heat developed will not cause too early firing of the charge. This principle of construction is a matter of great consideration as it enables the engine to be run on Rocklight oil or any oil of similar quality without having to resort to the injection of water into the cylinder or to the use of other similar devices to prevent the too early ignition which causes excessive excessive knocking in the engine cylinder. Another important point in connection with this engine is that only perfectly vaporised oil, mixed with the correct amount of air to give an explosive mixture, enters the cylinder, thus practically preventing any internal deposit of carbon in the combustion chamber or on the piston head, and, consequently the engine may be run for several seasons without the vaporiser requiring to be once cleaned. After the trial, which passed off most successful, the company were entertained by Mr Ritchie to an excellent tea purveyed by Mr Stewart, Alford. After tea Rev Mr Adam, parish minister of Alford, who presided proposed the health of their host, Mr Ritchie, wishing him long life and prosperity as the farmer of Cairnballoch. The toast was heartily responded to. Mr Ritchie then proposed the health of “The Tradesmen” who had carried out the work so satisfactorily to himself and so creditably to themselves. Thereafter, a most enjoyable evening was spent under Mr Ritchie’s hospitable roof.”
“Auchinblae (Stonehaven, 20 September 1906)
New threshing mill
The new threshing mill, which was put in at Drumsleed by Mr William Lindsay, was tested on Saturday afternoon in presence of a number of neighbours, and gave every satisfaction. The motive power is a 14-horse power oil engine, supplied by Messrs Allan Brothers, Aberdeen, while the mill, with all the newest improvements, was constructed by Messrs James and David Craig, Waterside, Phesdo.”
“New threshing mill at Leuchars (East of Fife record, 2 November 1906)
At the Milton Farm, Leuchars, tenanted by Mr John Thompson, there has been erected a new threshing mill, which, as an economiser of labour, must be placed in the front rank of agricultural machinery. It is fitted up with every conceivable modern improvement. Mr Daniel Douglas, Auchterarder, whose patent it is, was present during the inaugural test. Perhaps the cleverest thing about it is a simple contrivance for carrying the grain after it comes from the mill, dressed and ready for the market, to any part of the building desired. It is caught up and carried in pouches attached to a belt up to a certain height, then carried horizontally along a spout filled with little swinging doors, and dropped through any one of these. The straw can be removed to a distance in a somewhat similar manner if desired. Attached to the mill are also a bruiser, chaff-cutter, an oil-cake crusher, and a buncher, all of which can be put on or of gear at will. The machine was in operation for about two hours, and in that time there was threshed 60 bags of black oats. The whole of the above mentioned machines were tested and worked smoothly and satisfactorily.”
“New threshing mill at Mains of Kirkbuddo (Dundee courier, 23 November 1906)
Mr William Johnston, Mains of Kirkbuddo, has just installed at his farm a new threshing mill and oil engine, and these were inaugurated on Wednesday in the presence of a number of friends and neighbours.
Amongst those present were:-Mrs Jackson and Miss Jackson, Kirkbuddo House; Messrs William Annandale, Mains of Kincaldrum; Joseph Roberts, Kairton; William Fairley, Drowndubs; Robert Ramsay, Burn, Kirkbuddo; Robert Pattullo, Kemphills; John Davies, Moss-side; Alex Hay, Newton; David Pattullo, Whitebrae; George Mill, Bankhead; James Kidd, Newlands; James Ward, Rosekinghall; John Kerr, Greenhillock; George Robertson, Draffin; as well as the following five sons of the tenant:-Mr David Johnston, Muirside; Councillor G. A. Johnston and Messrs john Johnston and Alex Johnston, Dundee; and Mr Thomas Johnston, Mains of Kirkbuddo.
Not only did Mrs Jackson and Miss Jackson by their presence testify to their interest in their tenantry, but Miss Jackson took an active part in the proceedings, feeding the first twenty sheaves into the mill.
The mill, which is the first of its kind in the neighbourhood, gave general satisfaction in its results during its first few hours’ trial. It was constructed by Messrs J. & F. D. Craig, Idvies, and has all the latest improvements, trussing and bagging the grain ready for the market, besides having a straw carrier fifty feet long for depositing the straw in any part of the barn. The engine, which was built by Mr George Innes, Forfar, is of 10hp, and its powerfulness and smoothness of working were well evidenced in the trial.”
“Fern (from Dundee courier, 21 December 1906)
A new threshing mill and engine have just been put in at Hilton Farm, on the Fern estate, by the tenant, Mr Nicoll. The steading has been greatly improved during the autumn, and the various improvements are all of a most substantial nature. The contractors were:-Mason work, David A. Crabb; joiner, William Black & Son; slater, James Scott; painter, William Bruce-all of Brechin. Messrs G. & J. Fitchet, Gighty Burn, near Arbroath, supplied the threshing mill, and the oil engine was by Alan Bros, Aberdeen.”
