In the early 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:
New threshing plant at Carron (from Aberdeen press and journal, 14 February 1920)
Mr J. McConachie, Tombreck, Carron, has had been installed a new threshing mill made by Mr George Wright, millwright and engineer, Blacksboat. The mill, which is a credit to its maker, is fitted with the newest improvements, including a grain elevator to the loft above, thus saving. Time and labour. A demonstration took place on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a few neighbours, and the thresher gave every satisfaction. It is driven by a Lister oil engine of from 9 to 11 horse power, and can thresh about eight quarters an hour. The company were afterwards hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs McConachie.
New threshing mill for Loanhead (from Forfar herald, 27 February 1920)
A thirteen horse-power threshing mill has been installed at Loanhead farm by Mr John Allardyce, the tenant, and the opening ceremony was performed by Mrs Allardyce in presence of a gathering of neighbouring farmers, including a deputation from Forfar Town Council, to whom the farm buildings, and who congratulated Mr Allardyce on his enterprise. The company was afterwards entertained to tea by Mrs Allardyce.
Mr Adam McNicol, Kinnettles, in the course of an interesting speech regarding the Allardyce family, said he had known four generations of the family and all had been industrious, hard-working people.
A progressive farmer (from Arbroath herald, 13 August 1920)
Mr George Robb, who has purchased East Hills, Carmyllie, of which his father has been tenant for over 20 years, has introduced a 12 1/2hp oil engine, by Messrs Shanks, Arbroath, and a new threshing mill by Messrs Craig, Idvies. The plant was set in motion in presence of a large company of neighbours and friends, and everything went off most satisfactorily, threshing being done at the rate of about 14 quarters per hour.
New threshing mill for Fordyce (from 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 trial 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 uses 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.
(from Dundee courier, 2 April 1921)
Extensive structural alterations have just been completed at Pressock Farm, Guthrie, at present in the hands of Mr J. S. Callender Brodie. A new threshing mill with a four-foot drum, by Messrs J. & D. Craig, of Idvies Mill, Letham, has been installed, and this is driven by a 21 hp Shanks oil engine. This plant was formally started yesterday afternoon, on which occasion a number of the adjoining farmers and tradesmen were invited to be present. Both engine and mill worked without a hitch.
New threshing mill at Newton of Barras (from Aberdeen press and journal, 4 November 1922)
A representative company from the district gathered at Newton of Barras to see the inauguration of a threshing mill there for Mr James Begg, Muirton of Barras. The mill, 2 feet 6 inches wide, with high speed drum, double dressing and humler, chaff blast, equipped with elevators, and driven by a converted Crossley engine is the third that Messrs Hadden and Sons, Newtonmill, have installed in that part ofKincardineshire. The start could not have been bettered. Everything worked smoothly, and about 9 quarters per hour were threshed. The company were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Begg, and owner and builders congratulated.
New threshing mill- demonstration at Tipperty, Alvah (Aberdeen press and journal, 24 November 1922)
A large company of neighbours and friends assembled at Tipperty, Alvah, on Wednesday, on the invitation of Mr Duff, farmer, to witness the inauguration of a new and improved threshing mill. The mill is fitted with a 3ft 6in high speed drum. A Fordson tractor supplies the motive power. The straw, as it leaves the mill, is carried by a mechanical “forker” to a shed some distance away.
Mr Duff, who specialises in black oats, finds it difficult at times to execute his orders. He has, therefore, had his mill set on wheels, so that it can be run out to the cornyard and the grain put through it direct from the stack, thereby saving time and labour,
At the trial on Wednesday the mill was severely tested, but it came through the ordeal well, putting through 10 quarters per hour easily.
Another labour saving device was witnessed at work in an adjoining shed, this being a turnip-cutter driven by a 2 11/4 horse power oil engine. Its usefulness was favourably commented upon. Mr Duff was amongst the first of the farmers of the district to have his dwelling-house and steading lit with electric light.
After the demonstration the company were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Duff, and a happy evening was spent.
New threshing machine at Guthrie farm (Dundee courier, 13 November 1923)
Extensive structural alterations have just been made at Heughhead Farm, on the Guthrie estate. The farm is newly occupied by Mr Alexander Martin, who has been installed a new threshing mill by Messrs J. & D. Craig, Idvies Mill, Letham, and is driven by an oil engine supplied by Messrs Shanks, Arbroath.
At the starting of the new machinery a number of the neighbouring farmers and tradesmen were present by invitation, and in one hour fourteen quarters of oats were threshed, both engine and mill giving the utmost satisfaction.
A granddaughter of Mr Martin’s had the honour of passing through the first sheaf, and Mr and Mrs Martin hospitably entertained the company.
An enterprising farmer (from Arbroath herald and advertiser for the Montrose burghs, 16 November 1923)
Extensive structural alterations have just been made at Heughhead Farm, Friockheim, on the Guthrie estate. This farm has just been occupied by Mr Alexander Martin, who on Saturday last started a new threshing mill. At the starting-off of the new machinery a number of the neighbouring farmers and tradesmen were present by invitation, and in one hour 14 quarters of oats were threshed, both engine and mill giving the utmost satisfaction. A grand-daughter of Mr Martin had the honour of putting the first sheaf. Mr and Mrs Martin hospitably entertained the company.
Rothiemay threshing mill (from Aberdeen press and journal, 21 November 1923)
A new threshing mill has been installed at his farm steading by Mr Dawson, Turtory, Rothiemay. It is a three-feet full finishing mill, with chaff blower and straw carrier. Water power drives the mill through a wheel with galvanised steel buckets.
