Scottish agricultural implement makers

What was being exhibited at the Highland Show in 1914?

In the week of the Highland Show newspapers in Scotland published extensive accounts of what was being exhibited in the implement department as well as the awards to the livestock classes. They provide an invaluable account of what was being exhibited, as well as developments in implements and machines and what the activities of the key makers. They also note key trends, as well as innovations that were being made.

The Scotsman of 14 July 1914 provided a detailed description of what was at the show. It is worth quoting at length:

“The Highland Show

A promising prospect

Exhibition of implements

Progress in agricultural engineering

There is nothing in the implement section of the show on this occasion that could be described is strikingly novel, and manufacturers having learned the lessons of previous failures, there is in the same time an absence of anything of a freakish order. The whole display suggests solidity, progress having been continued along well-established lines rather than new avenues, but a steady all-round advance has nevertheless been made. A broad view of the implement yard illustrates the extent to which engineering achievement in other fields, perhaps most notably in regard to the internal combustion engine, is gradually being applied in the domain of agriculture. The future of the self-propelled agricultural vehicle is by no means certain. Its construction offers many difficulties in the way of high power combined with light weight and small initial and working costs, but already some very practical machines have been put forward. In the “motor yard” of the show, which is situated at the entrance gate, and is divided off from the general implement section and the showyard proper by the river Teviot, there is only one example of the motor cultivator, but it is of a fairly representative. At the “Royal” Show at Shrewsbury there were nine exhibits of this nature. The “agrimotor” in question is the “Garrett-Crawley”, shown by Richard Garrett & Sons, Leiston Works, Suffolk, and it is the first implement of the kind yet staged at a “Highland” Show. It is shown fitted with three drills, but it is so adapted that the ploughing fittings can be easily discarded for others suitable for general cultivation work. It is a tractor as well as a plough. Two men are required to work it, a man being still necessary to guide the plough, although it seems possible that in the course of time this extra hand may be dispensed with. That would appreciably enhance the economical qualities the machine already possesses. The engine is a 45hp four cylinder one, and the working costs are reckoned at something like 1s 6d per acre. The cost of the machine is £250. Superheated steam tractors are another feature of the motion yard, and side by side with the agricultural motor Messrs Garrett show three excellent types of varying power. A “three tonner” is fitted with solid rubber tyres, single in front, and a guarantee of 10,000 miles is given with these tyres, a general use of which on big commercial vehicles would add greatly to the peace of the town dweller.

Messrs John S. Millar & Son, engineers, Annan, have as their principal exhibit the automatic cream separator with which, as a new implement, they gained a silver medal at the Royal Show at Shrewsbury. In no department of the farm has the application of mechanical power been greater within the last year or two than in the dairy, and. This exhibit of Messrs Millar’s represents a line in which there has been keen competition among manufacturers. This separator is driven by 1/3 hp engine. It is crankless and gearless, and the speed is very even. It is adaptable for small and large farms-small enough for five cows, and large enough to separate 170 gallons an hour. The weight of the machine is 150lb, and the working costs are as low as 1 1/2d an hour running under full load. The engine may also be used to operate a churn, washing machine &c. the separator is of the disc bowl type, with a patent device by which the milk supply may be shut off while the bowl is at full speed. In addition, several windmills are to be seen on this stand, together with three types of pumps.

Mr R. G. Garvie, Aberdeen, has his usual display of thrashing and other types of agricultural machinery. The principal implement is a 3-feet wide threshing and finishing machine, which works at high speed and with double blast, and is fitted with a screen for small seeds. “Top finish grass ready for the market without further dressing” is its purpose. A 12hp oil engine for driving purposes is shown in conjunction with it. Two smaller types of thrashers are shown driven by petrol engines, and a hand and foot thrashing machine and two types of sowing machines also find places on the stand.

Messrs Alley & MacLellan, Polmadie Works, Glasgow, confine their exhibit to only one feature, and that a peculiarly British product, and one in which home manufacturers at the present time lead the world. They stage a large steam motor waggon of their own design and construction, suitable for a variety of purposes, and giving economical returns.

Mr Daniel Douglas, Perth, also has only one exhibit-a 4 feet fixed double blast thrashing machine, of improved type, for finishing corn for the market.

The Bon-Accord Engineering Company, Aberdeen, stage a 9hp oil engine, adaptable to various forms of farm work, and also two thrashing machines, one 21 inches wide and the other 30 inches wide. Their comprehensive collection includes an artificial manure distributor, a wire strainer, a liquid manure or water-pump, and a hay collector of handy type.

Two sizes of the “Annan” oil engine are shown by Messrs D. H. & F. Reid, engineers, Ayr, the smaller size being combined with a. pump for the supply of water to farms and estates, and the smaller giving 5 1/2b.h.p. at low speed. An interesting feature of their stand is the “Arno” milking outfit, suitable for a dairy of fifty cows.

Messrs Barclay, Ross & Tough, Aberdeen, have a nice collection of thrashing, dressing and finishing machines of standard type, as well as hand-thrashers, winnowers, and cultivators. Typical examples of some of their agencies are also shown.

Messrs P. & R. Fleming, Glasgow, one of the most prominent stands on the grounds by reason of its size, as well as by its varied nature, show a Hornsby oil engine driving a Richmond & Chandler grist mill, and a small “Associated” petrol engine driving a “Phoenix” potato dresser, an implement which has found considerable favour in the North. A new implement shown for the first time at the “Highland” is the Norfolk farmyard manure spreader, a machine which can be attached to the back of an ordinary farm cart, or can be loaded and driven to the field. A specimen of the Ransome potato digger is shown in motion, and demonstrates the easy working of the modern digger over the old fixed pattern. Rick lifters, potato sprayers, hay collectors, and numerous other implements combine to make a capital exhibition.

Messrs John Wallace & Sons (Limited), Glasgow, show a varied selection of farm implements and machinery. Among the items on their stand are several mowers and reapers of handsome appearance and the “Reliance” manure distributor, which is one of the most up-to-date machines for the distribution of artificial manures. It is only offered to the public this year for the first time. Potato diggers, potato planters, combined drill ploughs, and manure sowers, ploughs &c, complete a very representative display.

Windmills and towers, rick lifters, hay collectors, &c are shown by Messrs William Dickie & Sons, East Kilbride, the display including a new patent rick-lifter for either horse or hand power.

A stand of local interest is that of Messrs D. M. Wallace & Sons, Bowmont Engine Works, Kelso. It is small, but contains two useful specimens, one a massive threshing machine, with a 48 in by 22 in drum, and the other a 19-21b.h.p. oil engine made by Allan Brothers.

Another leading Scottish firm, Messrs john Wallace & Sons (Limited), Dennistoun, Glasgow, include in their exhibit mowers and reapers of improved type, while their cultivators are representative of their most popular designs. Sargeant’s patent manure distributors occupy a prominent place on the stand, together with samples of the Wallace binder, combined drill plough and manure sowers &c and various types of ordinary ploughs.

Messrs Allan Brothers, Aberdeen show five oil engines of different horse-power, but all of the improved lampless type, specially designed for agricultural purposes, and to work with any brand of oil.

Among other Scottish firms in the ordinary farm implement section, a prominent place is taken by Messrs J. & R. Wallace, Castle Douglas, who have enjoyed a reputation for some time past on account of their patent milking machine, which is shown replete with vacuum pump, tanks, can, and set of motors with connecting tubes. They also exhibit three forms of manure distributors.

Messrs john McBain & Sons, Chirnside, have a good display of windmills and pumps, root cutters, sheep hacks, carts, &c.

Stationary oil engines, horizontal and vertical, suitable for all classes of power work, and operating equally well on petrol and paraffin, are the only products shown by Messrs Alexander Shanks & Son, Dens Iron Works, Arbroath.

Messrs Telfords (Limited), Glasgow, have an interesting and thoroughly comprehensive display of dairying appliances, including pasteurizers, rotary pumps, separators &c.

Mr Charles Weir, Strathaven and Glasgow, has a comprehensive thrashing mills, petrol engines, churns, rick lifters, hoes, curd mills &c.

Messrs A. & J. Main & Co., Edinburgh, occupy a prominent place with a large collection of Deering harvesting machinery, comprising the now famous ball and roller bearing “Ideal” binders. It is claimed for the Deering “Ideal” binder that it is the lightest running grain harvester on the market. Much of the light draft is due to the ball and roller bearings. They are made of special quality of steel, and they take up the wear of the moving parts without perceptibly wearing themselves. They are also shown the “Ideal” two-horse and one-horse mowers, the latter being well adapted for the use of hill farmers and dairymen, and hay rakes and tedders. There is also displayed here rick lifters, rick stands, manure distributors, potato diggers, potato sorters; and further variety id given to the display by an assortment of sheep turnip cutters, sheep corn bin, sheep wire netting, and petrol engines.

Messrs Alexander Balloch & Sons, Manderston Street, Leith, have an attractive stand of well-finished examples of their leading specialities. Their famous patent disc drill scarifiers occupy a prominent position. The machine is suitable for turnips, mangolds, carrots, beans, &c and can be adjusted to suit the various stages of the crops. There are also exhibits of drill scarifier with side-lands arrangement and hoeing attachment.

Messrs J. Bisset & Sons (Limited), Blairgowrie, have on view three of their patent Bisset binders, which it is claimed are light in draught, easy to handle in working and durable. One of the principle features of this type. Of binders is that the binder attachment has been lengthened, and has a greater transverse than ordinary. This is an advantage in tying long crop. The Bisset straw trusser, with simple and effective knotters, and with simple adjustable hoppers, is also a notable exhibit.

Messrs Alexander Jack & Sons (Limited), Agricultural Implement Works, Maybole, Ayrshire, have a large stand on which prominence is given to several “Imperial” artificial manure distributors to sow in different widths up to 9ft 4 in. These implements distribute all kinds of artificial manures, and each manure is supplied with five change speed pinions of wide range. The firm also make a speciality of potato raisers, carrying six forks. The forks, though centrally driven, do not move in a circle, but give a good hand-fork action.

Messrs J. D. Allan & Sons, Murthly, have on view a variety of appliances of their well-known manufacture, including their patent dung spreader, potato diggers, and a number of coup and other carts.

In addition to a number of drill ploughs, grubbers, and scarifiers, Messrs Thomas Hunter & Sons, Maybole, show an “Excelsior” manure distributor, features of which are that it is worked by an endless chain, and will distribute very wet manure.

Messrs Robert Begg & Sons, Dalry, Ayrshire, have among their exhibits six chill ploughs, two with sett irons, as well as a special double-furrow plough, and an improved drill plough, with marker.

Messrs Kemp & Nicholson, Stirling, display a number of specimens if their drill grubbers, horse hay or stibble rakes, harrows, carts and lorries. Three double-action leverage hay and straw balers with steel framing, on this stand, should receive close attention.

Messrs A. Newlands & Sons, St Magdelene Engineering Works, Linlithgow, make a feature of drill grubbers, with renewable plates, which go into the hardest ground. A side lever on the wheels regulates the depth. Besides a number of ploughs and cultivators, the firm also display a self-acting rake and a “Parmeter” flexible harrow for taking fog out of pasture.

On the stand set apart for Messrs Thomas Brown & Sons, Duns, are to be seen the “Cammo” combined reaper and mower, turnip cutters and slicers, an improved potato sorter with elevator, corn drills and cultivators, including a thirteen double-tined cultivator with front swivel wheel.

The outstanding feature of the stand occupied by Mr David Wilson, Bridgeside Implement Works, East Linton, Prestonkirk, is a potato digger, which, it is claimed, will raise the whole crop undamaged, and leave it in narrow rows. The outer exhibits include a potato cleaning and sizing machine, a washing machine, and potato sprouting boxes.

A large assortment of farm and horticultural implements are exhibited by Messrs Thomas Gibson & Son, Bainfield Iron Works, Edinburgh, who occupy one of the largest stands in the yard. They have on view about 150 different iron and steel articles of their own manufacture. Among the outstanding exhibits are two iron corn rick stands, one 14 feet diameter and the other 10 feet, with improved air bossings, the purpose of which is to enable farmers to take in corn in wet weather. There are exhibited carriage, and field gates of every description, ornamental wire archways, and a variety of shelter tents, ornamental hurdle and garden fencing, and a large assortment of horticultural requisites.

Among a variety of lawn mowers on this stand allotted to Messrs Alexander Shanks & Son (Limited) Dens Iron Works, Arbroath, the outstanding article on view is a 30 inch motor lawn mower, complete with grass box.

A wind engine and water wheel are exhibited by Mr D. T. Paterson, Duns.

A number of the “Sherriff” corn drills, a market gardener seeder, with adjustable coulters, for all kinds of market gardens, seeds and grains, fitted with patent tempered steel delivery brushes and markets, and a variety of steel frame sowers are among the more prominent exhibits displayed by Messrs Thomas Sheriff & Co., West barns, Dunbar. Of special interest is the “Small Holdings” combined drill and broadcast sower, with adjustable coulter. This is a handy machine, which sows all kinds of small seeds and grain and grass seeds.

Various types of binders, including a “Milwaukee” special light draft binder, combined reapers and mowers, general purpose ploughs, improved potato diggers, and turnip and mangold sowers are among the principal exhibits on the stand occupied by Mr George Henderson, Kelso Foundry, Kelso. A number of cattle and pig troughs are also shown.

Messrs Wm Wilson & Son, Crosshouse, Ayrshire, exhibit a patent horse fork and crane; and a blowing, winnowing, and screening machine for cleaning grain and grass seed, with a special riddle for taking runches out of oats.”

A well-known Banffshire implement and machine maker was Auchinachie & Simpson, Mid Street, Keith. It was already undertaking its business at that address by 1868; it continued to be associated with that address until at least the First World War. After 1920 the company, as Auchinachie & Simpson Ltd, was located in Keith, Morayshire.

The company undertook a number of trades. From the mid 1870s it was an agricultural implement maker, general implement dealer, machinery broker and dealer, mechanical engineer, smith, and smith and farrier. Its manufactures included ploughs, harrows, seed sowing machines, grubbers and manure sowers. It was also an agent for a number of key Scottish and English makers, which allowed it to sell a wider range of manufactures, including mowers, reapers and binders, which had a huge impact on north-eastern farming. Its agencies included those for W. N. Nicholson & Son, Newark on Trent, Walter A. Wood, London, Macdonald Brothers, Portsoy, Harrison, McGregor, Leigh, Lancashire. D. M. Osborne & Co., London.

The company was a forward-looking one, advertising and promoting its manufactures at the Highland Show from 1876 onwards until 1923. It was awarded a silver medal for its collection by the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in 1876. It entered its manufactures at a number of the Society’s high profile trials, including the trial for three tined-grubbers in 1885, grass seed sowing machines in 1887 and manure distributors in 1899. It was an advertiser in the North British Agriculturist from March 1870 until July 1911.

In 1910 the business was acquired by Mr James Auchinachie, and was undertaken under the old name of the business: Auchinachie & Simpson. According to the Banffshire herald of 5 February 1910, he was joined in business “with one of his sons, who has had experience of almost every branch of engineering in London, Glasgow, and elsewhere, including electrical engineering. The repairing of motor cars, motor cycles, steam, oil and gas engines will be undertaken at moderate prices.”

In February that year the business was advertising its spring implements:

“Spring implements

Broadcast sowing machines, manure distributors, turnip sowers etc, etc

The business of Auchinachie & Simpson, implement makers, Keith, has now been acquired by Mr James Auchinachie, and is being carried on under the old firm name.

Special attention is invited to the above implements, which have a reputation not only in England, Scotland, and Ireland, but in many foreign countries, and are able to hold their own in the face of all competition.

Our celebrated steel tined harrows and manure distributors have been imitated by many but equalled by none. The latter machine has been much improved for 1910-all the gearing in box is now malleable, which reduces the weight by one-half.

Our broadcast corn sower has been in the market for over 40 years, and has been highly manufactured by every user for its work.

Our far-famed turnip and mangold sower is without a rival. We have now one of a lighter pattern for light lands. Once set, a boy can work it.

Our harrow frames are complete in themselves, and not held together by the tines. The tines are made of the best Sheffield steel. None are genuine except those that bear our name. These harrows have been supplied to the Royal Farms at Windsor.

All implements required for the farm are either manufactured by ourselves or sold on commission. (Banffshire herald, 5 February 1910)

In the following month it noted that it was “makers of patent jubilee manure sower, improved for 1910, new steel-tined keyed harrows as supplied to the Royal Farms, Windsor, the celebrated broadcast sowing machine, turnip and mangold sowing machines, drill ploughs, drill harrows, grubbers &c” (Banffshire journal, 8 March 1910)

The business provided further details of its jubilee manure distributor and its other manufactures in the following March:

“The celebrated jubilee manure distributor patented and advertised by Auchinachie & Simpson, Keith.

Of all the labour-saving machines this is the greatest boon to the farmer. Light and easy draught. Recognised by leading agriculturists as the best, simplest and easiest operated on the market. Beware of imitations.

Makers of broadcast sowers, turnip sowers, steel tined keyed harrows, etc. All of the best manufacture.” (Aberdeen press and journal, 8 March 1911)

At the Highland Show in that year The Scotsman noted that the business exhibited “corn and grass seed sowing machines, turnip and mangold seed sowing machines, and improved manure distributors. (The Scotsman, 25 July 1911) The Dundee courier of 26 July 1911 provided more detail:

“Auchinachie & Simpson, Keith

The sole partner of this old established firm is now Mr James Auchinachie, and he has for the work on the farm effected considerable improvements on the implements made by the firm. The greatest has been in the feed box of the “Jubilee” manure distributor, and it is now impossible for the “barking” or “clogging” in the distributing of the manure to occur. All the working parts in the box are in sections, and should repairs ever be necessary they can be done without the aid of a mechanic and at a trifling cost. The working parts within the box, as well as the bottom of the box, are made of aluminium, which will give a much large life to the distributor. Agriculturists would do well to pay this stand a visit. Mr Auchinachie is one of the oldest exhibitors at the “Highland” having first exhibited in 1877.”

The business had a good trade in 1911. These were recorded at the end of the year in a trade report:

“Messrs Auchinachie and Simpson, implement makers, report that their trade for 1911 has been fully maintained, and that they have established a record in the output of spring implements. During the year they effected improvements on their manure distributor, and their latest type of machine has attracted the attention of agriculturists everywhere. One of these, we understand, has been supplied to his Majesty. It is fully expected that the same of their improved machines will be much increased in the coming season. The firm has recently established an export trade with the colonies in harrows and manure distributors, and have expectations that this enterprise will develop considerably in the near future.” (Banffshire herald, 30 December 1911)

Displenishing sales provide an insight into the implements and machines that were being used on a farm when the tenant was leaving a particular farm. They reflected the type of activities that were being undertaken, including chicken rearing, potato growing, or cheese making. They can also show whether the farm was using new and innovative ones or were relying on older ones. Some of the items that are listed were old, though others, as notices sometimes point out were new. They would also have included implements that might have been allocated to the “hedge back” that were put out for sale to realize some money.

In May 1924 a number of displenishing sales took place in north-east Scotland. It is worth looking at these to see what implements and machines were being used a century ago. There is a great emphasis on ones for ploughing, cultivation, carting, crop processing, and animal husbandry.

Green of Savoch, Auchnagatt (Aberdeen press and journal, 2 May 1924)

Implements-5 box carts (with tops), water cart, dog cart, 5 sets and set pony harness, sledge, 3 box harrows, turnip sower, 3 single, 2 D.B. and 2 shim ploughs; 2 sets iron, 2 sets wooden, chain, and grass seed harrows, 2 grubbers, broadcast sowing machine, turnip slicer, turnip plumper, 2 Massey-Harris binders, mower, 2 metal rollers, horse rake, snow plough, rick props and centres, quantity of firewood, 2 metal troughs, 2 metal pots, barn furniture, including 2 fans in splendid order, weighing machine and weights, sack barrow, forks, bushel measure etc, and all the tools necessary for the farm.

Hill of Park, Park (Aberdeen press and journal, 2 May 1924)

Implements-2 box carts with tops, Massey-Harris binder (in grand order), Ransome cultivator (almost new), 3-horse cultivator, Sellar grubber, drag harrow, 2 stone rollers, single and double ploughs, set iron, set link, and set potato harrows, shim, horse rake, hay gatherer, turnip sower, plough hurley, 2 water troughs, feeding boxes, and all smaller implements. Barn furniture-weighing machine and weights, corn scoop, sack barrow, turnip hasher, stone cheese press, and usual barn furnishings. Harness- 2 sets cart and plough harness, in good order, and the usual stable furnishings.

Rashinlochie, Drumoak (Aberdeen press and journal, 2 May 1924)

Implements etc-2 box carts with tops, long cart with hakes, long cart with sides, spring card, binder (by Wood), mower, 2 single, B.M.P., and rill ploughs, iron, wood, chain and spring-toothed harrows, grubber, shim, turnip sowing machine, turnip cutter, manure distributor, broadcast sowing machine, metal and stone rollers, hay cutter, hay knife, horse and drag rakes, 2 box barrows, grindstone, work bench, saws, stone and wooden troughs, iron and wooden barrels, 2 portable boilers. Barn furniture and harness-barn fan, 2 rick covers, binder cover, weighing machine and weights, sack barrow, riddles, rick yarn, and barn furnishings, 2 sets cart and plough harness, gig harness, and stable furnishings. Furniture and dairy utensils.

Harthills, Kintore (Aberdeen press and journal, 2 May 1924)

Implements-3 boxcarts with tops, 2 long carts, water cart (as new), dogcart, 2 single, 1 double plough, shim, 2 drag. Iron, wooden and chain harrows; grubber, turnip sower, wooden roller, Wallace binder, Albion reaper with mowing gear, water barrels, hen coops, 2 hand barrows, all minor tools; barn fan and barn furnishings; 3 sets cart and plough harness, gig harness, and stable furnishing; hay cutter, sledge, mangle; 100 Larch fencing posts, fencing wire. Quantity of household furniture and all the kitchen and dairy utensils.

Danestone, Woodside (Aberdeen press and journal, 2 May 1924)

Implements-3ft portable threshing mill (by Crighton), Case Tractor, 10-18 H.P., with extending axles; Cockshutt double-furrow tractor plough, tractor double disc harrows, 7 box carts with tops and double shelvings, 2 long carts, rally car, 2 binders (McCormick), 2 mowers (Albion), broadcast sowing machine, 2 metal rollers, drill scarifier, 3 grubbers, 4 sets iron, spring-tined, potato and chain harrows; 5 M.P. and 2 D.B. ploughs, 3 shims, potato digger, horse and drag rakes, potato dresser, barrows, barn fan, steelyard and weights, turnip pulper, turnip hasher, paraffin drum and barrels, feeding troughs, grindstone, chicken coops, cart ropes, and yarn, turnip sower, power horse clipper, portable forge, 15ft boat, and all minor farm implements, also a quantity of fencing posts and wire and rick posts, 8 sets cart and plough harness and all the usual stable requisites.

Note-the threshing mill, tractor and tractor implements are of recent purchase, and are in splendid working condition.

Displenishing sales provide an insight into the implements and machines that were being used on a farm when the tenant was leaving a particular farm. They reflected the type of activities that were being undertaken, including chicken rearing, potato growing, or cheese making. They can also show whether the farm was using new and innovative ones or were relying on older ones. Some of the items that are listed were old, though others, as notices sometimes point out were new. They would also have included implements that might have been allocated to the “hedge back” that were put out for sale to realize some money.

In May 1924 a number of displenishing sales took place in north-east Scotland. It is worth looking at these to see what implements and machines were being used a century ago. There is a great emphasis on ones for ploughing, cultivation, carting, crop processing, and animal husbandry.

Moss-side, Wartle (from Aberdeen press and journal, 5 May 1924)

Implements- Box cart, long cart body, wooden, link, and S.T. harrows, iron drag, grubber, 2 single and 1 D.B. ploughs, stone roller, shim, turnip sower, barn fan, bushel and straik, ladders, plough hurley, yokes and swingletrees, cart and plough harness, hopper, box and peat barrows, drag and hand rakes, scythes, ladders, all fencing and joiners’ tools, paling posts and wire, and all the necessary minor hand tools. Cheese press, churn.

Upper Greenfield, Monquhitter (from Aberdeen press and journal, 5 May 1924)

Implements- 2 box carts, binder (New Century), M.P. plough, D.B. plough, iron and S.T. and link harrows, grubber, stone roller, turnip sower, shim, yokes, and swingletrees, cart and plough harness, drag and hand rakes, pig box, chicken coops, turnip hasher, ladders, fan, bushel and straik, scythes, box and peat harrows, 2 feathers and sole of plough (new); all necessary hand tools and dairy utensils.

Gordonston, Rothienorman (from Aberdeen press and journal, 5 May 1924)

Implements- 2 boxcarts with tops, single and double ploughs, wooden and chain harrows, sheep dipper, metal and stone rollers. 3-tined grubber, shims, broadcast McCormick binder, B.D. reaper, manure distributor, mill, picks and shovels, and all minor hand tools. Box barrows, etc; portable henhouse, chicken coops, cart and plough harness.

Bodichell, Fyvie (from Aberdeen press and journal, 5 May 1924)

Implements- 3 boxcarts with top and peat creels, long cart, Hornsby binder, B.D. reaper, turnip sowing machine, broadcast, manure distributor; wooden, iron and chain harrows; horse rake; S.T. harrows, single and double ploughs, metal and stone rollers, 3 and 5-tined grubbers, drag, shims, turnip hasher, feeding troughs, forks, shovels, graips, fencing tools, and all minor hand tools, barn fan, bushel etc; 3 sets cart and plough harness, gig harness, dogcart, 2 tons potatoes, 40 head poultry.

Coldwells, Inverurie (from Aberdeen press and journal, 5 May 1924)

Implements- 2 box carts (good), by Simpson, Peterhead; 2 spring carts, single and D.B. ploughs, iron, spring tooth, and chain harrows; 2 rollers; grubber, drag, 2 shims, broadcast and turnip sowers, Hornsby binder, B.D. reaper, horse and drag rakes, 2 sleighs, rick covers, 6 large cattle feeding troughs, ladders, grindstone, cake breaker, bench, box and peat barrows, pig troughs, corn chest, weigher and weights, garden seat, and all the minor tools on the farm.

2 sets cart and plough harness, firewood, wooden garage (14ft x 10ft), 1 D.B. hammerless ejector gun (almost new), and 2 game bags.

Balcraig, Keith-Hall (from Aberdeen press and journal, 5 May 1924)

Implements-Hornsby binder, turnip sowing machine, 2 box carts with tops, grubber (almost new), drag, chain harrows, iron harrows, skim, 1 single plough, 1 drill plough, yokes and swingletrees, scythes, netting wire, wire strainer, water barrels, box barrow, ladders, feeding troughs, rick posts, cart ropes, hand rakes, forks, graips, spades, shovels, lanterns; cart and plough harness.

Greens, Newmachar (from Aberdeen press and journal, 5 May 1924)

Implements-McCormick binder (practically new), horse rake, turnip sower, metal and stone rollers, 3 box carts with tops, grubber, springtooth harrow, chain harrows, 1 set iron harrows, 1 single plough, 1 drill plough, barn fan, steelyard and weights, bushel, corn scoops, grain sacks, turnip hasher, yokes and swingletrees, drag rake, portable boiler (25 gall.), perfection oil cabinet (50 gall), 2 rick covers, ladders, box barrows, feeding troughs, scythes, paling wire, potato riddles, lanterns, rakes, forks, hoes, spades, graips, shovels, ropes, and other minor hand tools; cart and plough harness.

The Ayr Show of the Ayrshire Agricultural Association was one of the most important agricultural shows for implements and machines in Scotland. The most important one was the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

The Ayr Show as important not only for local makers but also those coming from further afield, especially in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It was also attended by some of the major English makers such as John Fowler & Co., Leeds.

The west of Scotland newspapers, including the Ayrshire newspapers and the Glasgow herald published extensive accounts on what was exhibited at the show. The agricultural newspapers such as the North British agriculturist also published accounts.

The following accounts reveal a lot of information on the show and what implements were available to Ayrshire agriculturists in 1889 and 1890. This includes

A context to the display, including trends in the development of implement and machine making, as well as who was exhibiting and what they were exhibiting.

From the Irvine Times of 3 May 1889:

“Ayrshire Agricultural Association

The fifty-fourth show of live stock and implements in connection with the Ayrshire Agricultural Association opened on Tuesday at Ayr. As usual, the proceedings extend over two days.

Implements

Although there are two more stands of implements in the yard, the area occupied is about the same as last yard. Looking at the display as a whole, it is a good one, and comprises examples of nearly all the appliance used in agriculture. There are none which can be described as quite new in the sense that they have not previously been shown, but many of the implements have had improvements made on them during the year. Held, as the show is, in the capital town of the county, it is only appropriate that the makers of Ayrshire should be well represented. Immediately at the entrance to the yard the old-established firm of Messrs Alexander Jack & Sons, Maybole, occupied a large area. They show a varied selection of all their manufactures. Prominent among them are their well-known buck-eye reapers and mowers. They also show a varied selection of highly-finished horse-rakes of simple arrangement, and a new combined mangold and turnip sowing machine. They have also a large number of carts, spring vans, and lorries; and to meet the requirements of farmers going to England, they have designed a substantial Scotch farm cart with harvest ladders of large carrying capacity. A hay tipping cart is worthy of attention. By its means a stack of 20 or 30 cwt can be lifted bodily, or moved from place to place without the trouble of forking.

Mr A. Pollock, Mauchline, who makes all sorts of appliances used in agricultural and dairy operations, has amongst other things the compact curd mill, which has been adopted in the dairy school at Kilmarnock. He also shows a rick lifter with all the working portions of it made of iron. Another handy appliance on his stand is a hay baling machine on wheels. It is worked by lever power, and by its means a quantity of about 2cwt of hay can be compressed into a space 4 feet long, 4 feet deep, and 2 feet 8 inches wide.

Mr T. Hunter, Maybole, has on exhibition a new Cheshire drill plough made of steel. It should be specially valuable to Ayrshire farmers, as it earths up potatoes very well. The mould boards are made boat or tube shape. Mr Hunter also had a successful-looking drill plough with truss beam. It has steel boards, and is stronger and light. The Advanced Plough, which is of Canadian design, is also of steel, and has a particularly light draught.

Messrs J. Wallace and Sons, Graham Square, Glasgow, occupy a large portion of the machinery yard. They show the Thistle Reaper, an implement which was introduced last year, and has become popular. Messrs Wallace have also on exhibition a numerous selection of Oliver chilled ploughs.

Mr J. P. Cathcart, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, shows in motion one of Wood’s binding machines with the original knotter; a new tubular frame mower and reaper combined; an old-style opening reaper and mower; and a number of other farm implements and Paris lawn-mowers.

Mr James Wyllie, Cross-hill, Maybole, shows a turnip pulper of a form which has become popular.

Messrs J. Drummond and Sons, Cumnock, show cheese-presses and a thrashing machine.

Mr W. G. Highet, Kilmarnock, has a variety of dairy appliances and a new washing-machine called the “Torpedo.”

From the Ayr observer of 2 May 1890:

“Ayrshire Agricultural Association’s annual exhibition

Favoured with fine weather the annual show under the auspices of the Ayrshire Agricultural Association has proved the most successful in almost every respect of any previous exhibition. The entries were larger than in any former year, and the drawings taken at the gates and stands exceed any previous years.

Implements

Report of judges

The judges have to report that the exhibition of implements is first-class in workmanship and finish, and always getting nearer the idea of perfection is usefulness. The great variety of implements now in use in use in the different processes connected with agriculture is in striking contrast to those used half-a-century ago; and the form and finish of the implements show a very marked advance. There is no new implement shown on this occasion; but there is a continual improvement going on in the details, making the machines more easily kept in order, and all more readily made to suit different kinds of work.

Messrs A. Jack & Sons, Maybole, cover a large space with specimens of the implements they make, all got up with the greatest care, and finished in the finest art. Wheels are to be seen in the native timber, with a thin film of varnish, and others finished in paint. One market cart has a set of panels or sides and doors of very beautiful variegated elm which would have made a fine dining table. It is difficult to see where improvement is to be made on those articles.

Messrs Wm Waide & Sons, Leeds, exhibit a collection of their Victoria and other churns. They are useful implements but have not yet come into general use in Ayrshire. They are made of good material and well-finished.

Messrs Thomas Sherriff and Co., Westbarns, Dunbar, show their well-known drill and broadcast sowing machine with the latest improvements.

Messrs George McCartney and Co., Cumnock, exhibit a well-made thrashing mill, and cheese presser.

Mr Wm Mair and Son, coopers, Ayr, have a stand which the dairy folks should take a good look at. The quality and variety are excellent.

Mr Edmund Richardson, Kendal, exhibits churns and butter-workers of good materials and workmanship.

Mr Wm Elder, Berwick-on-Tweed, exhibits a number of well-made implements for the field.

Messrs John Drummond & Son, Cumnock, show their usual well-made presses.

Mr John H. Campbell, seed merchant, Ayr, exhibits a number of garden implements and implements for bee-culture.

Messrs Shearer and McCutcheon, Garlieston, show a first-class grubber with a great improvement in lifting the tines out of the ground by throwing them back as they rise out of the ground.

Mr James P. Cathcart, Glasgow, shows Wood’s reaper and binder, and ordinary reapers with improvements.

Messrs Thomas Brown and Co., coopers, Ayr, show well-made dairy utensils.

Mr James Mackie, Peebles Street, Newton, shows strong and well-made churns and butter workers and cheese presses.

Mr James Wyllie, Cross-hill, shows a large collection of churns, reapers, and spring carts, well-made.

Messrs Robert Scoular and Sons (John Allan and Co.) Ayr, show a variety of manures, etc, for the use of farmers.

Mr Charles Weir, Strathaven, shows churns and rollers, turnip sowers, and weighing machines.

Mr Harold Olson, Leith, show a new product-viz-straw rope spun by machinery, and useful for tying beans and roping stacks.

Mr John Richardson, Carlisle, shows his usual hand fanners with improved riddles for taking runches out of grain.

Mr John Gray, Stranraer, shows very large and well-made dairy implements, and a creamer for hand power.

Mr James McHarrie, Stranraer, shows a good collection of dairy implements.

Mr Thomas Hunter, Maybole, show a very large collection of field implements, and a new implement, “Perimeter” harrow for grass seed.

Mr W. G. Highet, Kilmarnock, shows a collection of large and well-made dairy implements, consisting of cheese vats, butter workers, and milk churns, milk heaters, and am apparatus for testing the acidity in milk, all deserving the notice of the dairying class.

Mr A. Pollock, Mauchline, exhibits a very large collection of field implements, fanners, and hay presser of his own well-known make.

Mr John Douglas, Minnieshant, shows a strong and well-made hay presser-a very cheap article.”

East Lothian is well-known as a leading agricultural district. As part of that reputation it has been innovative in the way that it has used the land, grown and harvested crops, raised livestock, as well as developing and using implements and machines to undertake these activities.

The following blog post notes four examples of innovation carried out by different businesses and members of the agricultural community.

Thomas Sherriff

The first is through perhaps the most important implement and machine maker in East Lothian. Although there were only a small number of implement works in the county, the best-known one, was that of Thomas Sherriff. Its location was pinpointed by the North British Agriculturist in 1893: “those who travel to London on the East Coast route, will observe at West Barns, shortly before reaching Dunbar Station, a very neat red brick building, labelled in large letters, “Agricultural Implement Works”.

Thomas Sherriff started his business in 1816. A few months after his unexpected death in December 1856, his widow Agnes Punton, also known as Mrs Thomas Sherriff, took over the business. She ran it until her retiral on 19 July 1871 when she assigned it to Robert Robertson, the works manager, who had started in the works in 1851. On taking it over, the business became known as Thomas Sherriff & Co. He managed it until his death in the mid 1900s. In September 1941 it became a company limited by guarantee, with its main subscriber being Thomas Sherriff Robertson. Although Thomas died in September 1945, the business continued. Today you will recognise the company’s name throughout East Lothian and beyond.

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the business specialised in sowing and cultivating implements and machines. In 1893 its manufactures were described as “drill and broadcast sowing machines”, and later in 1911 as “a varied collection of grain drills, broadcast sowing machines, and turnip and mangold drills”. It also manufactured other “agricultural implements”.

Thomas Sherriff widely exhibited at agricultural shows, including ones in the county and the national one of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. It entered competitions and trials including those of the aforementioned society and international ones. It was eminently successful at them, winning numerous awards. There were few businesses in Scotland that had received as many. By 1893 it “had taken no fewer than sixty-four medals and prizes at the various shows they have attended”. In March 1887 they were listed as “11 gold medals, 12 silver medals, 8 bronze medals, and 31 money prizes” awarded “in competition with the best makers. For example, in a competition against thirty other makers including “the best English and Scotch” ones at the Dutch International Exhibition in 1872 it won the “first prize gold medal for the best corn and seed drill”. It also won trials, such as one for sowing machines, arranged by the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in 1888 “in competition with twelve other machines”. It was awarded first prize for its sower which then became known as its “first prize broadcast sower”.

Sheriff’s implements and machines were well-known. In 1857 Mrs Thomas Sherriff noted that they “are extensively used in East Lothian by the first farmers”. In April 1863 the business was completing an order “for a set of the most improved machines” that was to be sent to India. In 1893 the agricultural press noted that its sowing machines “are to be found at work in all parts of the world”.

The Sherriff implements and machines had a sound reputation. In 1863 the Illustrated Berwick Journal noted that “the well-known firm of Sherriff, at West Barns, has acquired something more than a local notoriety for the excellence of their manufactures”. By 1899 it had “for many years enjoyed a great reputation for their drills”. Similar comments were made in following years and in 1924 it was described as “a firm with a long-standing reputation as makers of seed-sowing machinery”.

Why did the business have such a reputation? Its manufactures were well-designed, well-made and “of great utility to the farmer”. In 1861 they were “manufactured on the most improved principle”. They were continually improved and included “all the latest improvements for this season”. In 1899 its drills had “been brought up to date by the introduction of improvements suggested by experience”. Even in 1924 they had “a well-established reputation for good workmanship”. Mrs Sherriff had suggested that her manufactures “are the best that can be used”.

As they were practical implements and machines, Sherriff’s concepts and patterns were adopted and used by other makers and came into more wider use. For example, by July 1891 its two-row turnip drill was described as “an implement which has been taken as a type by a large section of the trade”. It was the first maker to bring out the “land-measuring index, attached to sowing machines, by which the quantity of seed per acre can be accurately measured”.

Farmers as implement makers

The second example of how innovation took place in East Lothian is through farmers as implement makers. At least one farmer became an implement maker: David Wilson of East Linton. Through him, the county had a role in the development and manufacture of machines to raise or harvest the potato crop and also to grade or dress it. Many of the leading makers of these machines were in other districts such as Ayrshire and Perthshire.

David Wilson came to East Linton in 1904 from Riccarton Farm, Linlithgow, West Lothian, where he had been a farmer. By 1914 he was recorded at Bridgeside Implement Works. The reason for his coming to East Lothian was recorded by the West Lothian Courier after his death in 1929: “he invented an agricultural implement which caused him to give up farming and leave Linlithgow for East Lothian where he developed a successful business as a result of his genius”.

After he started business in East Lothian he developed, patented and manufactured a number of implements and machines. As an article in The Scotsman in 1922 reported, he had “been responsible for many valuable improvements in the world of agricultural implements”. His first one was a potato dressing machine “of great utility, which promises to bear a part in economising farm labour”. Another early one included “boxes for sprouting seed potatoes” (or chitting boxes) for the first earlies. By 1907 his manufactures included a potato dresser, a patent farmyard manure spreader, a patent thistle and weed cutter, a potato digger and a coup cart. In 1911 he had available for sale “a representative collection” of “potato implements”. He continued to improve the efficiency of his machines. For example, in 1912 he had modified his potato digger so that it could more easily handle the potato shaws or “tops”.

David was ambitious with his implements and machines. He wanted to ensure that they were well-known and had an extensive market. In 1907 he exhibited them at the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s (RASE) show at Lincoln. He was one of a small number of Scottish makers to do so. Three years later, his potato raiser attracted “considerable interest” at that show. He continued to attend in following years. In 1919 he was one of sixteen Scottish exhibitors, and one of eighty one makers that entered in the new implement class. He entered a potato digger or raiser.

David entered a number of machines into the trials of the national agricultural societies in Scotland and England. This included the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland’s trials of potato raisers in 1911. It won an equal prize to the other three machines on the ground. In that year he also entered his potato digger and potato sorter into the RASE trials near Spalding. It was reported that “under these conditions it [potato digger] made excellent work, leaving the tubers undamaged, in a nice narrow space, most handy to gather”. By 1918 he advertised that machine with reference to one of these trials. As it notes, the “Highland Society report says:-“less labour in gathering than any other type of machine”. In 1919 he entered a “two row machine for topping and tailing turnips” at the trials of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

He was awarded a number of prizes for his implements and machines. They included a “special medal” for a new potato raiser at the East Lothian Show in 1912, and an award of merit for a new potato raiser at the Holland Potato Show at Spalding in 1921.

Farmers as agents

Farmers recognised the importance of particular implements and machines for use on farms in East Lothian. Some of them became agents for particular implements and machines so that they could introduce them and ensure that they were more widely used within the county, and further afield, sometimes for the whole of Scotland. Holding an agency could be prestigious, especially if it was for a national or international business.

In 1886 William Ford, farmer at Fenton Barns, Drem, visited the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London where he saw the Massey Manufacturing Company’s “Toronto” light binder in the Canadian exhibit. Although it had been used for a number of years in Canada, where there were “several thousands of them” at work, this was the first time it had been exhibited in Britain. Recognising the potential of this lightweight and compact binder, he “ordered a consignment of them” from Toronto. By 1 September that year he had one working on his farm. He arranged and advertised a demonstration of it on his farm working alongside one of the “celebrated binders” of Hornsby of Grantham, a leading English maker. He must have been persuasive for the Massey Manufacturing Co. sent its “expert” to it. The agriculturists who saw the new binder at work were “thoroughly satisfied” with it. In its first season, its use was described as “an unqualified success”.

William was reported to have “introduced the machine into Scotland”. By April 1887 he had become its “agent for Scotland”. He continued to place orders for it, and acted as the Scottish agent until 1889; he continued to sell the machine until 1892. By this time the Massey Co. had set up an office in London. It moved its agency to well-known implement and machine maker in the north-east: G. W. Murray, Banff Foundry, Banff.

William widely promoted the Toronto binder. As noted, he held a public demonstration of it on his farm in September 1886. This was attended by “over fifty prominent agriculturists and other gentlemen”. He also advertised it in the Scottish agricultural press, in the North British Agriculturist from 6 April 1887 until 11 August 1892. He exhibited it at the major agricultural shows that had extensive implement departments. They included those of the agricultural societies of East Lothian, the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, Ayr, Strathearn, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Show reports commented favourably on it, also noting each year where there had been improvements made.

The binder quickly gained popularity. In July 1887 a report of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland show reported it to be “a feature of great interest, especially to people who have read of its utility on the harvestfield”. By April 1888 it was recorded as “gaining in popularity among Scotch agriculturists”. Two years later, it had “gained quite an unprecedented popularity amongst the class who require binders”.

Steam ploughing

Another use of innovation in East Lothian was the adoption of new technologies by farmers. A key development in nineteenth century agriculture in the county, and throughout Britain, was the application of steam to a range of activities, including ploughing and cultivation, threshing, and pulverising foodstuffs. It was in the application and use of steam to ploughing and cultivation, and the extent to which this was used, that the county was seen as one that was not only “high in agricultural improvement” but also as a “pre-eminent” one in Scotland. This was because the use of steam ploughing and cultivating involved a major investment in terms of capital and expenditure; it also required to be used on large farms, and ones that had large fields and were relatively easy to work.

While the earliest demonstrations of steam ploughing in Scotland were in the mid 1840s, the first one in East Lothian was in 1851. In that year the Marquis of Tweedale had “succeeded in bringing to a great degree of perfection a steam plough”. He tested it out at Yester, his seat in East Lothian, and then used it for a number of years. However, he “abandoned” it owing to its cost.

Although steam ploughing was being used commercially in other counties such as Stirlingshire, Angus and Kincardineshire, in the late 1850s and early 1860s, it was not officially introduced into East Lothian until 1862. This was by Mr Saddler, tenant of Ferrygate, Drem. The introduction on that farm, which was celebrated by a public demonstration and dinner, and attendance by the local MP, was recorded in 71 newspapers across Britain and Ireland. A month later, newspapers reported the introduction of a second steam plough, this time by Mr Begbie, Queenstonbank. By the end of 1863 there were four sets of steam ploughs (of various designs) used on four adjoining farms in the parish of Drem: those at Ferrygate, Queenstonbank, Fentonbarns, and Drem. In 1864 a further neighbour at Castle Mains was reported to have purchased a set. At this time The Scotsman noted that “we do not think that anywhere in the sister country can be witnessed a sight such as that to be seen in East Lothian any time during the present season”. By February 1866, that newspaper commented that “all the various methods of cultivation by steam may be seen within a radius of five or six miles” in the county. By 1875 the North British Agriculturist was able to note that there were “nearly thirty” sets of steam ploughs in the county: “these are mostly hiring sets, and each set will work on an average on a dozen of farms”.

After 1881 when the acreage under crop declined in the county and nationally, so too did the use of steam ploughs. However, in 1903, the Berwickshire News suggested that “steam cultivation is very much in evidence in East Lothian nowadays. No fewer than five steam ploughs are regularly at work in that county at the present time.” However, the North British Agriculturist considered that this number was significant. It reported that: “certainly the enterprise displayed by so many East Lothian agriculturists in equipping their farms with steam-ploughing tackle is rather notable, for probably no other county in Scotland – if not in Great Britain – can show five steam ploughs in regular use on its farms”. Steam ploughing continued to be used in the county until at least the late 1940s. This was at East Barns, Dunbar, by Sir James Hope. He also used continued to use it in Northumberland until as late 1960.

It was the tenant farmers who led the way in introducing this expensive and innovative technology into the county when it became considered to be commercially viable. However, this did not mean that the landowners did not support it. They too were interested in its introduction. They supported it by visiting the public demonstrations of it organised and held by their tenants, and visited them to see their machines at work. In some cases these visits helped them to inform their own decisions on purchase. For example, the Earl of Caithness visited Mr Saddler to see his set at work before purchasing one for his estate at Barrogil in Caithness.

Displenishing sale notices provide an important record of the implements and machines that were used on specific farms at specific times. They record all the implements and machines used on a farm. These included all the main ones as well as minor ones, such as tools, utensils and sometimes home furnishings.

When a series of adverts are gathered from different time periods they can be used to show how the implements and machines changed (and also remained the same) on some of the farms. In the 1860s and 1870s some older technologies were also being used. These included wooden ploughs and horse threshing mills. There were also a lot of hand tools being used. There were also some key developments which helped to mechanise and make easier some of the tasks on farms. These included the introduction of implements and machines from the United States and Canada as well as mowers and reapers which were used in increasing numbers.

The following adverts show what implements and machines were being used in Kincardineshire between 1865 and 1891.

Brackmuirhill, Dunnottar (from Stonehaven journal, 19 October 1865)

The implements consisting of-2 box carts with tops; 1 lying and 1 water cart; 1 double boarded and 1 iron two horse plough; scraper; yokes, swivel trees, and harrows; 1 stone roller, with frame; 1 turnip sowing machine; horse harness; graips, forks and shovels; a threshing mill, fan and other barn furniture; paling and posts; cattle bindings; water cask and spouts; a large meal girnal, a patent milk churn, and a variety of other articles.

West Town of Barras, Kinneff (from Stonehaven journal, 19 October 1865)

Horse and harness; 1 cart and top lying cart; 1 two horse wooden plough; 1 drill harrow; 3 harrows; 1 stone roller, turnip sowing machine, fan and barn furniture, metal boiler and dairy utensils, &c; 1 horse threshing mill, 2 horse power, if not previously sold. Paling and posts with wire fencing.

Briggs, parish of Dunnottar (from Stonehaven journal, 19 October 1865)

Carts; ploughs; harrows; rollers; rollers; turnip sowing machine; threshing mill of two horse power with three levers attached; barn fan and other barn furniture; horse harness. &c pony cart and harness almost new; dog cart and harness; a large quantity of larch paling and posts; wooden shed; some household furniture and dairy utensils; and a great variety of other articles.

Gowans, parish of Glenbervie (from Stonehaven journal, 19 October 1865)

2 box carts and frames; 1 long cart; 2 iron ploughs; 1 double moulded plough; 1 iron turnip scrapers; turnip sower; harrows; shovels; graipes; horse harness; barn fan, and other barn furniture; a large quantity of larch pailing rails and posts; a small quantity of hay, and various other articles, dairy implements, and some household furniture, etc.

Auquhirie, Dunnottar (from Stonehaven journal, 24 October 1872)

Box and lying carts; water carts; stone and wooden rollers; turnip sowing machine; broadcast sowing machine; iron and wooden single and double boarded ploughs; iron, chain, and drill harrows; horse harness; grubber; meal girnal; turnip cutter; some wooden sheds; paling and posts; some hardwood planking; cornyard sticks; barn and dairy utensils, and a variety of other articles.

Cottonbrae, Fetteresso (from Stonehaven journal, 24 October 1872)

Box cart; hand water cart on wheels; wooden plough; 1 pair harrows; drill harrow, and iron grubber; turnip sowing machine; paling and posts; also, a quantity of wire; barn fan; bushel measure; graips; spades; riddles; horse harness, &c &c. Also, a threshing mill, unless previously disposed of by private bargain.

Meikle Tulloch, Durris (from Stonehaven journal, 24 October 1872)

2 box carts with tops; stone cart; iron and wooden ploughs; turnip sowing machine; iron turnip scraper; iron grubber; stone roller and frame; harrows; box barrow; graips; forks; barn fan; bushel measure, and other implements; horse harness; a quantity of wooden paling, posts, and wire fencing; and a few articles of household plenishing. Also, if not previously disposed of by private bargain, a good threshing mill driven by water power.

Mill of Uras, Dunnottar (Stonehaven journal, 2 November 1882)

Implements- 6 box carts with tops, 2 lying carts, 3 brakes iron harrows, 2 grubbers, reaper (Bisset’s, Blairgowrie), broadcast sowing machine, turnip sowing machine, 3 iron single ploughs, 1 four horse plough, drill harrow, 2 double boarded ploughs, 4 stone rollers, stone stathels, horse harness, barn fan and other barn furniture, graips, forks, tramp and shoulder picks, yokes, swiveltrees &c.

Blairs, Fetteresso (Stonehaven journal, 2 November 1882)

4 box carts, 1 long cart, 3 single ploughs, 2 double ploughs, 2 drill harrows, 2 rollers, 1 grubber, 2 brake iron harrows, 1 brake wooden harrows, 1 brake chain harrows, horse harness, spades, graips and shovels, barn furniture, broad cast sowing machine, turnip sowing machine, 1 reaper.

Candy, Drumlithie (Stonehaven journal, 2 November 1882)

Implements-4 box carts and tops, 2 lying carts, 4 iron two-horse ploughs, 1 iron three horse plough, 2 iron double mould ploughs, iron and wooden harrows, drill harrows, drag harrows, potato digger and grubber, metal and wooden rollers, turnip sowing machine, broadcast corn sowing machine, horse rake, 2 reaping machines, barn fan and barn furniture, barrows, graips, forks, ladders, &c &c.

Upper Wyndings, Fetteresso (Stonehaven journal, 21 May 1891)

2 carts, harvest cart, spring cart, light gig, Bon Accord Reaper and Horse Rake, Oliver Hillside Plough and other ploughs, barn fan and other barn furniture, horse harness, and stable furniture, and other minor implements and tools.

Brunthillock, Portlethen (Stonehaven journal, 21 May 1891)

Implements-1 box cart, 1 long cart, 1 spring cart, 1 brake wooden harrows, 1 brake iron harrows, D. B. plough, single plough, shim plough, turnip sowing machine, barn fan, wooden roller, grubber, spades, shovels, grains, forks, picks, yokes, swingletrees, rakes, horse harness, wire and wooden fencing, a quantity of household furniture and dairy utensils.

West Bendings, Kinneff (Stonehaven journal, 23 October 1891)

Implements-2 box carts with tops, 1 long cart with hakes, turnip sowing machine, reaper (as good as new), 2 turnip scrapers, 2 D. B. iron and wooden ploughs, 2 iron and 2 wooden single ploughs, grubber, 2 brakes, iron and wooden harrows, wooden roller, 2 turnip cutters, 2 drag rakes, horse harness, quantity of wire and wooden fencing and wire netting, ladders, box barrows, scythes, spades, picks, shovels, graips, forks, and a number of corn yard posts &c.

Broombank, Glenbervie (Stonehaven journal, 23 October 1891)

Implements- 4 box carts, 2 long carts, water cart, chain pump, broadcast sowing machine, turnip sowing machine, 2 reapers, 5 single and 3 double boarded ploughs, iron, wooden, and chain harrows, 2 drag harrows, 3 drill harrows, 2 grubbers, oil cake breaker, iron, wooden and stone rollers, horse rake, turnip cutters, weighing machine and weights, corn bruiser, 2 barn fans and other barn furniture, stone stathels, cattle bindings, cart and plough harness, 1 set gig harness, yokes and swiveltrees, box and sack barrows, mangle, cheese presser, scythes, shovels, spades, rakes, ladders, wire fencing and posts, dog cart, and a variety of other articles.

Feathers, Fetteresso (Stonehaven journal, 23 October 1891)

Implements-2 box carts with frames, 1 long cart, 2 iron single ploughs, 1 D.B. plough, grubber, 3 brakes iron and wooden harrows, turnip scraper, 4 rollers, reaper (in good order), turnip sowing machine, barn fan and other barn furniture, horse harness, wire and wooden fencing, box barrows, yokes and swingletrees, tramp and shoulder picks, graips, forks, spades, ladders, &c.

Smiddymuir Croft, Dunnottar (Stonehaven journal, 23 October 1891)

Reaper and binder with back delivery (by Wood), a very good worker and almost new, 2 reapers in good working order, mower (by Young, Ayr), 3 single ploughs, 2 drill scrapers, 2 turnip scrapers (one of them new), grubbers, pony cart, barrow, barn fan, dairy utensils, cheese press, and other minor implements, turning lathe and sliders, rest to suit the lathe, vices, shears, wrenches, anvils, fore and small hammers, bellows and forging tools, ring bending machine and metal bed, boreing braces, nippers, files, grindstones, spades, graips, forks, axe, ladders, metal pump a large quantity of screw tools, and a superior vertical (boreing) machine (a splendid worker).

Displenishing sales provide an insight into the implements and machines that were being used on a farm when the tenant was leaving a particular farm. They can show the type of agriculture practiced as well as the range of implements and machines used. They can also show whether the Farm was using new and innovative ones or were relying on older ones.

By the late 1940s farm mechanisation was making in-roads on Scottish farms. There was an emphasis on tractor power and using a wide-range of implements and machines for crop and animal husbandry, though horse power and horse-drawn implements still continued to be used. Some farms invested in tractors with their associated name-sake implements and machines.

The following displenishing sale notices for farms in north-east Scotland show the level of mechanisation on these farms, the different types of implements and machines as well as in some cases their makers – who tended to be leading and well-known ones.

Mains of Bellyhack, Botriphine, Keith, on 11 October 1947 (Aberdeen press and journal, 8 October 1947)

Implements- Fordson Major (rubbers and straiks, 1946), tractor plough (Sellars, B.D.F.), tractor grubber, tractor yokes, tractor tipping bogie on rubbers (Standfast, as new), Bisset binder (tractor attachments), 4 single ploughs, 2 drill do., 3 sets iron harrows, 2 sets wooden do., 3 drill harrow, 1 3-drill harrow horse grubber, broadcast sower, manure sower (Auchinachie and Simpson), turnip sower (Sellars), metal roller, 2 stone do., mower (Wallace, as new), reaper, 3 box carts and frames, wood do., and creels, 2 sledges, cart body, horse lorry (rubber tyred), 2 box barrows, peat do., sack do., barn fan, Bessemer and weights, oilcake breaker, 5 ladders, wire strainer, horse rake (in good order), corn sizer, 230 gal), paraffin tank 25 gal., do, portable henhouses, chicken coops, harness for 2 pair horses; also ploughing match set of harness (good), Clydesdale Stud Book and a large quantity of minor hand tools, dipper, Cooper swing bath, 12 rolls pig wire, quantity wire netting and fencing posts, rails, stack kilns, etc.

Meetlaw, Drumlithie, on 21 October 1947 (Aberdeen press and journal, 16 October 1947)

Implements- box cart with tops (rubbers), long cart on rubbers, turnip sower, 110a plough, D.B. plough, 3 drill scrapers, S.T. harrows, Planet cultivator, circular harrows, 9ft metal roller, harrows, chain harrows, barrow, 2 cattle troughs, 2 ladders, steelyard and weights, bushel, potato bagger, riddle and stand, stack cover, sowing sheet, Esparto rope, scythe, lanterns, riddles, graips, shovels, picks, forks, hoes, Mell wire strainer, bosses and props; also harness for 2 horses and 2 stacks of hay, and the usual minor hand tools.

Laes of Arbuthnott, Fordoun, on 25 October 1947 (Aberdeen press and journal, 16 October 1947)

Implements – 3 box carts on rubbers, long cart on rubbers, Johnston binder, Bamford mower, Bamford rake, Jay paddock, Garvie broadcast, McCormick driller, Blackstone potato digger, Sellar turnip sower, 2 horse grubber, Ransome cultivator, S.T. harrow, 2 metal rollers, 3 single and 3 D.B. ploughs, 2 brake iron harrows, 2 scrapers, turnip cutting cart, turnip hasher, barn fan, steelyard and weights, grindstone, sack barrow, bushel and straik, ladders, 20 rolls sheep netting, potato boxes, 2 stack covers (15×15), portable henhouses, 3 stacks of hay, harness for two pairs horses, sundry tools etc.

Touxhill, Auchnagatt, on 8 November 1947 (Aberdeen press and journal, 28 October 1947)

Implements-Fordson tractor with belt pulley, 6ft Massey-Harris binder, tractor cart, tractor grubber, hay sweep, spring tine harrows, Martin cultivator, Massey-Harris tractor plough, tractor harrows, 3 box carts, 3 sets C. and P. harness. 2 manure distributors, T.S.M.P. plough, shim, iron harrows, chain harrows, scarifier, Moulder turnip sower, stack posts, steelyard and weights, potato sculls, scythes, spades, graips, shovels, brushes, forks, hammers, wire stretcher, mall, coir yarn, turnip hasher, stack cover, ladders, barrows, pails, lanterns, smithy bellows, anvil, vie, 1 200 gallon paraffin drum, 5 50-gallon paraffin drums.

Trees, Netherley, Stonehaven, on 8 November 1947 (Aberdeen press and journal, 31 October 1947)

Tractor implements- 10.20 International tractor, David Brown tractor (both on rubbers with pulley and power take-off and fitted with lights), spare 12 in pulley for International, front and wheel rear wheels for David Brown tractor, set of Bower straiks to fit 11.25×24 centres, pair of chains for tractor rear wheels, Massey-Harris grain and fertiliser combine (15 row almost new), Massey-Harris 2 furrow plough, set of harrows and yoke, set of rollers, set of heavy rollers, Bisset binder (5 ft cut, with converted handles), Deering binder (5ft cut), spring tooth harrow, 3 drill (Ogg, Muchalls), ridger fitted for a David Brown tractor, tractor bogie, Ransome cultivator, Jack manure distributor, Wallace potato digger, body, wheels and screw for a tractor cart, endless mill belt, circular saw.

Horse implements-2 box carts (1 on rubbers), 2 long carts, Hoosier driller (15 row), Deering horse rake, Sellar turnip sower, Albion mower, Sellar grubber, 2 sets chain harrows, 110a plough, Sellar plough, 2 scrapers, 2 stone sledges, 3 wheel hurley, hay paddock, snow plough, Wolseley power clippers (almost new), Cooch potato dresser (almost new with filling and bagging elevators, complete with 1 1/2hp Petter engine), potato riddles, sculls, boxes, 2 potato graips, box barrow rubber wheel, sheep troughs, ladders, steelyard and weights, bushel and straik, scythes, graips, forks, hoes, stack covers, 5 spare clothes for Deering binder, posts and wire, netting wire, turnip slicer, 200 gallon paraffin drum, binder fingers and the usual minor implements, 4 Glevum incubators (150 egg size), 8 hovers, 7 henhouses (12ft x 8ft, weather boarding and slated floors, complete with nests and feeders), henhouse (8ftx10ft), brooder house (16ftx16 1/2ft), brooder house (12ftx8ft), water fountains, feeders, etc, harness for 3 horses.

Adverts for displenishing sales are a useful source of evidence to see what implements and machines were used on particular farms at a specific point in time. They may include implements and machines that had been used for decades as well as newer ones and the latest technologies. They can show the preference of particular farmers for certain makers and makes of machinery as well. They can also be used to show how widespread some implements and machines were, especially if they were more specialised.

By the early 1950s mechanisation was a key word on Scottish farms. The horse era was giving way to the tractor era and on some farms both kinds of power were used, sometimes for specific tasks. With labour shortages both of full-time and seasonal and casual workers, there was a push to start to find more mechanised ways to deal with the handling, harvesting and processing of crops.

The following selection of adverts from the Strathern Herald in Perthshire shows the implements and machines on a small number of farms in the early 1950s. They show widespread mechanisation with up-to-date implements and machines to undertake a wide variety of tasks from ploughing, sowing, cultivation, management, harvesting and processing of crops.

Implements and machines from key makers were noted. They included names such as Wallace of Glasgow, Newlands of Linlithgow, Allan of Muthly, Dickie of East Kilbride, and Bisset of Blairgowrie. English and north-American names were also represented for some of the implements and machines. They included well-known names associated with particular products such as Albion (Harrison, McGregor & Co. Ltd., in Leigh, Lancashire) fro mowers and binders and Massey Harris for corn drills and binders). At some farms there was a preference for particular makers: at Rotteans Farm there was a preference for the Ferguson system with its implements and Fordson with its associated implements.

The farms were using a range of motive power. Rotteans Farm had both tractor and horse implements and machines, with the former focusing largely on ploughing and cultivating implements and machines. Woodside Farm, Auchterarder appeared to be working with horses, no tractor being listed.

Rottearns Farm, Braco (advert, 18 April 1850)

Tractor implements- Ferguson (complete with strakes); D.F. Ferguson plough; S.F. Ferguson plough; Ferguson ridger; Ferguson light cultivator; Ferguson heavy cultivator; Fordson on rubbers (with strakes); Fordson on rubbers (with pulley); bogey (tipper), with float sides; bogey; coup cart; Fordson Major 2-furrow plough; Newlands ridger for Fordson; Albion binder (6ft cut); set S.T. harrows; 2 sets harrows; 2 sets iron front wheels (for Fordson); 1 set iron rear wheels (for Fordson); set M. M. discs; 9 ft roller.

Horse implements- Massey Harris corn drill; Massey Harris binder; Wallace potato digger; Allan potato dresser; Garvie grass seed barrow; Macdonald manure distributor (for horse or tractor); Albion hay mower; saw-bench; harrows; 2 wheelbarrows; 2 hay collectors; 2 oil drums; coup cart (on rubbers); corn cart; horse roller; set saddle harrows; berry plough; drill grubber; potato hopper (2 screens); Dickie swathe turner; 6 raspberry barrels; 3 ladders; 400 stack props; weighing machine and weights; fanners; sack barrow; 6 rolls netting; sheep stakes; a quantity of furniture, and all the usual barn, byre and stable utensils, etc, etc.

Ross Farm, Balgowan (advert, 11 November 1850)

Implements – Fordson tractor on rubbers, double-furrow tractor plough, rubber-tyred box cart, box cart, corn cart, horse roller, turnip barrow, turnip slicer, rick lifter, tractor hay sweep, hay mower (Albion), 2 binders (Albion), manure distributor, corn drill (Massey Harris), potato digger, horse rake, cultivator, grubber, 2 sets iron harrows, set tractor harrows, saddle harrows, set S. T. harrows, 2 Hunter hoes, 3 ploughs, pulper, 2 rubber-tyred hand barrows, hay collector, potato harp, 220 gallon oil tank, fanners, steelyard and weights, sack barrow, 2 oil cabinets, bench and vice and small hand tools, ladders, props, bosses, wire netting, sheep troughs, 80 new posts, 14 milk cans, pails, basins, milk cooler, and all barn and stable utensils, 6 henhouses (portable), 2 brooder houses, 2 brooders, 2 incubators, churn, 2 chemical closets and a small quantity of household furniture.

East Mains Farm, Tulliebardine (advert, 26 May 1951)

Implements-Ferguson tractor, 1949 (with electric lighting), tractor ridger, D.F. plough, Ferguson D.F. plough, 2 R.T. box carts, 2 corn carts, car trailer, grass seed machine (Garvie), 2 Massey-Harris binders, 2 hay collectors, Wallace mower, Bisset mower, Ruston Hornsby mower (oil bath), corn driller, manure distributor (Bisset), hay turner (Nicholson), horse rake (Nicholson), horse roller, cultivator, turnip barrow, pulper, turnip slicer, 2 sheep haiks, set iron harrows, circular harrows, grass seed harrows, drill grubber, steelyard and weights, Dux plough, 110A plough, drill plough, potato planter, sack barrow, R.T. barrow, Hunter hoe, zinc bin, fanners, 3 ladders, electric fence, potato hopper and screens, props, bosses stakes, sheep troughs, netting, chests, 4 henhouses (2 as new), and all barn and stable utensils.

Woodside Farm, Auchterarder (advert, 10 November 1852)

Implements – R. T. general purpose cart convertible to rick lifter, coup cart, R. T. corn cart; hay mower (Bamford), hay collector, binder (Massey Harris), corn driller (Massey Harris), broadcast, hay turner (Massey, as new), horse roller, horse rake, potato digger (Wallace), fitted for tractor, turnip barrow, drill plough, 2 Dux ploughs, 2 sets iron harrows, 3 drill harrows, steelyard and weights (white), pulper, R. T. sack barrow (as new), 2 corn bins, R. T. dogcart, ladder, 3 sets cart harness, set pony harness, 12-bore gun, and all the usual barn and stable utensils, 50-gallon oil cabinet, scrap iron, surplus furniture.

Kipney, Logiealmond (advert, 1 November 1952)

Implements – Fordson row crop tractor (on rubbers), Fordson tractor (on irons), 2 D. F. tractor ploughs, tractor bogie, tractor cart (rubber tyred), tool bar, potato spinner, McCormack binder, Bisset binder, Jack potato digger, Wallace hay mower, hay sweep, Bisset manure distributor, corn drill, cultivator, 3 sets iron harrows, set circular harrows, set chain harrows, set spring tooth harrows, set drill harrows, drill plough, hay rake, grass seed machine, turnip barrow, double driller, set elevator fanners, weighing machine and weights, cake breaker, hay cutter, turnip pulper, turnip slicer, wheel barrow, sack barrow, ladders, bench, vice and tools, anvil, bellows and tools, 100 gallon paraffin drum, 40 gallon paraffin drum, guddle and mell, pig feeder (dry), fireclay troughs, sheep troughs, forks, rakes, shovels, spades, picks, brooms, lanterns, sheep nets and stakes, potato screen, riddles, baskets, quantity of wood, usual barn and stable utensils. Also 3 hen houses, 6 coops and runs, quantity household furniture and dairy utensils.

How were some of the key implement and machine makers advertising their spring implements in the agricultural and general press in the early 1930s?

While adverts tended to be short, they needed to include as much pertinent information as possible. They could note that they were selling spring implements and ask farmers and agriculturists to enquire. Some also listed the main ones as a way of highlighting what was available. These could quickly turn into a long list. Such a list could also get agriculturists to think about their future requirements, even into the early summer and into harvest time.

Rarely were specific prices of implements noted. More usually, it was that their prices were low. An advert from Sellars of Huntly in 1930 noted “keenest prices for all spring implements”.

A selection of adverts:

“Sellars steel frame broadcasts stand supreme for strength, durability, lightness in draught, and even distribution.

Keenest prices for all spring implements, new and second-hand.

Geo. Sellar & Son Limited, Glasgow Road, Perth” (from Perthshire advertiser, 15 March 1930)

“Farmers, take notice! Spring a surprise, and purchase your spring seeds, spring implements, and springtime requisites for this busy time of the year from Alex. McCutecion (onything fur the ferm).” (from Falkirk herald, 24 February 1934)

“Buy the best spring implements.

Tractors-International and Fordson, Tractor plows International and Cockshutt. Tractor grubbers, cultivators, soring tooth harrows. Broadcasts, land rollers. Manure distributors-Don and International.

Wm. Reid & Leys, Ltd, 9 Hadden Street, Aberdeen.” (from Aberdeen press and journal, 1 April 1937)

“Spring implements of all kinds, including tractor ploughs, grass and seed harrows, corn drills, cultivators, spring-toothed harrows, disc harrows, lawn rollers, etc-Thomas Duff, implement agent, Annan.” (from Dumfries and Galloway standard, 1 March 1939)

“Agricultural implements-Bamford’s supreme and McCormick sowers, broadcast seed sowers, disc harrows, cultivators, land rollers, and all spring implements at keenest prices-Alex Baird & Sons, Pleasance Works, Dumfries.” (from Dumfries and Galloway standard, 8 March 1939)

“Spring implements of all kinds, including tractor ploughs, cultivators, and disc harrows, corn drills, broadcast sowing machines, spring tooth harrows, McCormick manure distributors, land rollers, etc-Thomas Duff. Implement agent, 48 Whitesands, also at Annan and Lockerbie.” (from Dumfries and Galloway standard, 15 March 1939)

“Spring implements

Martin’s cultivators, Climax spring-tooth harrows, zig-zag and flexible harrows, manure distributors, horse hoes etc, in stock. Also spare parts.

Robertson & McLaren, agricultural engineers, Burnside Works, 19 Lower Craigs, Stirling.” (Stirling observer, 4 May 1939)