In the 1920s a number of the local newspapers, especially in the north-east and north, reported the erection of new threshing mills on a number of farms as farmers up dated 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 generally 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 an important event. That task was sometimes given to a special 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 the north and north east of Scotland:
“Trial of new threshing mill at Cookney (Aberdeen press and journal, 14 January 1921)
A new threshing mill, driven by water, underwent its trials on Saturday at Monquich, Cookney.
A large number of farmers from the surrounding districts were present, and expressed great satisfaction with the superior way in which the oats were dressed ready for the market.
The company were afterwards entertained by Mr and Mrs King.”
“New threshing mill for Fordyce (Aberdeen press and journal, 8 February 1921)
Mr Wilson, Stripeside, Fordyce, who recently installed a new high-speed threshing mill driven by a 6hp oil engine, had a trail of the plant on Friday afternoon in presence of a large number of neighbours and other friends in the district. The thresher, which is furnished with up-to-date equipment for the speedy handling of the grain as it issues from the mill, gave entire satisfaction to all the agriculturists present. The company thereafter were entertained by Mr and Mrs Wilson, when several of those present gave songs and recitations.
Before the company separated, Mr Wilson was congratulated on his enterprise in having such a complete and compact machine installed on his farm.”
“Threshing mill display (Northern chronicle and general advertiser for the North of Scotland, 13 April 1921)
New plant at Inverness farm
An interesting display by the Crichton threshing-mill plant, which has been introduced at Dell of Inshes, Inverness, by Mr Wm Macallister, was witnessed on Wednesday afternoon by a large and representative assemblage of farmers and others from the surrounding districts. Within the last few months a number of the mills have been erected on farms in the Lothians and other parts of the South, and over a dozen have also been introduced on various holdings in the North. On the day previous to the installation at Dell of Inshes, a new mill and engine were started at the farm of Weston in the Black Isle, in presence of a large number of farmers.
The new mill at Dell of Insches, which is erected within the steading, is driven by a Tangye oil engine. The work is carried on smoothly and with speed, and the advantages of the new plant were clearly demonstrated. The plant, which gave evidence of being excellently designed, is fitted with his high speed drum, barley awner, double dressers, straw carriers, and chaff blowers. There is a successful arrangement whereby the chaff is delivered into the cattle courts, a distance of sixty-five feet from the mill. At Wednesday’s demonstration a capital sample of grain was being threshed at the rate of eight quarters per hour. Mr James Crichton, Strichen Engineering Works, Strichen, the sole maker of the plant, was present at the display. Mr Crichton was complimented on the excellence of his design, and the superior finish of the workmanship. The plant was supplied by Messrs ferries & Coy, motor engineers, Inverness, who have been appointed sole agents in the North for Mr Crichton. The installation was carried out under the personal direction of Mr Ferries.
Mr R. Gordon, Wester Inshes, proposed the health of their popular proprietor, Mr R. L. Mackintosh of Insches, who, he said, manifested a keen interest in all improvements on his estate, and was also much interested in his tenantry farming on up-to-date lines (applause).
The toast was cordially pledged.
Mr Alexander Munro, Leanach, said they all regretted the absence of Mr William Macallister, the enterprising tenant, who had had to go South. They were much indebted to Mr Macallister for his kindness in inviting them to witness that afternoon’s excellent demonstration, and he asked the company to pledge his good health-(applause)
The toast was heartily pledged.
On the call of Mr Johnston, Braeton of Leys, a vote of thanks was accorded Mr Crichton, who, in reply, expressed his hearty thanks to the company. On the call of Mr Maclennan, Balmachree, a similar compliment was awarded Mr Ferries, who made complete arrangements for the demonstration.”
“Threshing mill for Knockando Farm (Aberdeen press and journal, 26 January 1923)
Within the last two or three years a number of farmers in Knockando parish have invested in threshing mills. Mr Peter Hepburn, Bogroy, Elchies, has now installed one, and on Wednesday afternoon, he invited a few neighbours to see it at work. The mill is “The Smallholder”. It is driven by a six horse-power oil engine, manufactured in USA. The mill is capable of threshing about four quarters of oats per hour, and on Wednesday’s trials gave every satisfaction.
The company were afterwards hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Hepburn, jun.”
“New threshing mill at Blairs (Aberdeen press and journal, 22 December 1928)
Mr Charles Shaw, Maidenfold, Blairs, Maryculter, who recently got part of his steading burned including his threshing mill, has installed a new and up-to-date threshing mill, The mill has a 36-inch high speed drum, double dressing fans, sizer, awner, and screen. It is capable of threshing and dealing with both barley and oats, As the grain comes from the mill it is delivered into bags.”
On Wednesday Mr Shaw invited a number of friends and neighbours to see the mill set a-going. It was thoroughly run and tested, and did very fine work. The quantity got per hour was over fifteen quarters. The dressing was all that could be looked for, The corn on being weighed, just touched 46lbs per bushel. The mill was supplied by Alex Milne and Sons, engineers and millwrights, Joppa Lane, Aberdeen.
At the end of the test the company sat down to a sumptuous spread provided by Miss Shaw. Dr Cronin, DD, Rector of Blairs College, and proprietor of Maidenfold, occupied the chair. The chairman and Mr Robert P. Collie of Cowford, thanked Mr Shaw and family for their invitation and hospitality.”
“New threshing mill (Mearns leader, 20 September 1929)
At Corntulloch, on the Glen Tanar estate, tenanted by Mr John Cameron, there has just been installed by Messrs Garvie, Innes and Scott, Aberdeen a high speed threshing mill, driven by a Blackstone petrol engine of 3hp, supplied by Messrs Reid and Leys, Aberdeen. To the inauguration of the new plant, neighbouring farmers and friends were invited, and the demonstration proved eminently satisfactory. The company were hospitably entertained by Mrs Cameron. On the call of Mr Walker, schoolhouse, the healths of Mr and Mrs Cameron and family were duly pledged, the Rev L L L Cameron, Dufftown replying, whilst Mr Duncan, Dee-Castle, gave the toast of the firms which installed the machinery, when their representatives, Messrs Reid and Innes responded with song and story, a happy social hour was spent.”
