Scottish agricultural implement makers

If you were a farmer or agriculturist in Scotland in 1920 you may have been interested to see what the implement and machine makers would have new on the market. Tractors were starting to make an appearance on farms and with them their associated implements. Some of the makers were getting their heads around the changing technologies and seeing what new implements they could invent. Existing implements and machines were also being improved.

The Highland Show was an important showcase for these new implements and machines and in 1920 the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland introduced its new implement awards. In that year six Scottish implement and machine makers entered manufactures for this new award: John McBain & Son, Churnside, Berwickshire; H. W. Mathers & Son, Perth; Alexander Newlands & Sons Ltd, Linlithgow; James H. Steele, Edinburgh; David Wilson, East Linton; and Barclay, Ross & Hutchison Ltd, Aberdeen. By 1920 all these companies were well established and well known to Scottish farmers.

John McBain & Son, well-known for its windmills, entered an improved version of the Monarch Windmill for pumping. It was fit with Hyatt roller bearings, giving improved performance and relieving friction. It had double gear wheels which gave for smooth and steady running.

H. W. Mathers & Son entered a self-propelled engine driven turnip cutter or the barrel type. This could be used for cutting turnips into finger pieces for sheep and slices for cattle. This self-propelled machine was geared to the road wheels by a chain and sprockets which allowed it to be moved from place to place by its engine power. The barrel cutter, of single or double action, was by Messrs Bentall. It had an air-cooled engine, made by the Associated Manufacturing Co. which was not liable to be damaged in frosty weather.

Alexander Newlands & Sons Ltd. entered a new “self-lift” attachment for its tractor cultivator. This was an improved design which was designed to operate the tractor cultivator from the seat of the tractor. The motive power was transmitted from one side-wheel and through a chain drive to the operating crank. This could also be attached to any of the old cultivators.

James H. Steele, an extensive agent, exhibited a machine made by another implement and machine maker: Kenneth McKenzie, engineer, Evanton. This was its portable turnip cleaner and cutter. This comprised a root cleaner with two revolving barrels put in motion by chain-drive. The turnips were put into the hopper where they were cleaned and then conveyed to the cutting disc, which was horizontal. McKenzie stated that the cutter was guaranteed not to choke, and would cut as much as “any other machine on the market”. It was claimed to cut in seven different sizes for cattle or sheep. The machine was portable and could be taken to wherever the turnips were to be cut. It was driven by a 2 1/2hp Amanco oil engine which could be used for various purposes such as chaff cutting and corn crushing.

David Wilson entered a potato raiser. Its function was to raise the tubers an leave them directly behind the machine, thus saving labour in gathering the crop. It was claimed to cause no damage to the tubers and did not bury them. Barclay, Ross & Hutchison Ltd entered a twin sack lifter made by G. L. Weir.

All of these implements and machines demonstrated the Scottish implement and machine makers taking steps to improve the work practices on the farm. The new implement awards are still awarded by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, and a silver medal provides recognition of engineering excellence for the Scottish farmer, as indeed farmers throughout the world using Scottish implements and machines.

The photographs were taken at the Scottish National Tractor Show, Lanark, September, 22015, and Daviot vintage rally, October 2016.

The Ayr Show of the Ayrshire Agricultural Association was an important forum for the display of agricultural implements and machines. In the second half of the nineteenth century it was a place where local makers as well as some national makers exhibited. So important was it that some key English makers, such as John Fowler & Co. Leeds, came to the show on their national circuit of agricultural shows. 

The 1880s was a difficult time for Scottish agriculture and also for the agricultural implement makers. However, it was still important for them to be seen at the show and to exhibit their latest manufactures. 

The Ayrshire Advertisier printed an extensive account of the implement stands at Ayr in 1888. It is worth quoting at length for the names of makers and their manufactures, as well as the state of the trade: 

“Notwithstanding the long depression of trade, and the too well known want of money among farmers, the exhibition of implements and machines is fully up to that of any previous year. We were afraid at one time that the attraction of the International Exhibition at Glasgow would have taken away many who have hitherto attended at Ayr, but no such falling off is visible. It is true there is nothing specially new, but before hearing the judges’ report we are inclined to think that improvements of considerable value are generally to be found in many of the stalls, and the walk round the sheds containing the machines and implements is quite as attractive this year as in any one previous. Among the first in number, and, we may add, in importance, we find as usual the great stand of Jack & Sons, Maybole, with the genial Mr Marshall in attendance, and nearly 100 entries. Mowers and reapers in endless variety, carts and barrows, chaff cutters, turnip slicers and pulpers, all of the newest make, and too numerous to particularize. Indeed, Mr Marshall makes a first-rate show of his own.

Next to this stand we have Thomas Bradford’s exhibition of churns and washing machines, which is specially attractive this year. Ladies especially would do well to visit this stand, for it may well be called the domestic stand of the show-yard, and many of the articles must be seen-a description only can give a very imperfect idea of the exhibits. Passing over several stands of more or less importance, but all deserving of some attention, we come to another Maybole exhibitior, Thomas Hunter, whose display is certainly as attractive this year as formerly, new ploughs, rollers, grubbers, scarifiers, turnip cleaners and cutters, make up 70 exhibits, many of them deserving careful attention Ayr Show seems to be also improving in its turn out of carriages, gigs and dogcarts. Mr Robertson and Mr Bryden, Ayr; Messrs Smith and Duncan, Kilmarnock; Mr Holmes, Irvine; Wm Goudie, Whithorn; Sloan & Lonard, Penman & Son. Dumfries, have all stands, and exhibits very neat machines of various kinds. They certainly are elegant, seemingly strong, and considering the high finish are much cheaper than formerly. Mr J. P. Cathcart’s stand as usual deserves a special notice of Wood’s improved Binder, and various other agriculture implements which Mr Cathcart has always kept well to the front. 

Cumnock is represented with stands occupied by John Andrew, chemist, and George McCartney & Co., and John Drummond & Son, millwrights. Kilmarnock by W. G. Highet, with a good lot of dairy utensils, and D. Proctor & Co., engineers. Among local exhibitors we notice Mr Thomas Brown, cooper, with an excellent lot of butts and chissets. Mr James Mackie, millwright, has churns and cheese presses of improved quality, and other articles, which makes up an attractive stand. Daniel Wyllie & Co. as usual exhibits samples of their manures. Mr T. L. B. Robertson shows some famed bee keeping appliances. Mr Walsh, brassfounder, has some very fine specimens of his workmanship. 

Whitletts, near Ayr, is well represented by Mr Robert Cook and Mr Robert Wallace. The former has carts, and the latter a splendid selection of agricultural implements. Other well-known firms deserving of special mention are Mr John Young, Jun, New Cumnock, with reapers and mowers, potato diggers, and land rollers. And Mr Andrew Pollock, Mauchline, has a first-rate thrashing machine and other useful implements. It is matter of much regret to us to miss the appearance of Messrs J. & J. Young, so long one of the best of our exhibitors, but we hope soon to see their works started again. We leave the judges’ report a fuller notice of what, taking together, is an excellent implement show.”

Readers of this blog post will be familiar with the name of Pollock of Mauchline, one of the oldest agricultural implement and machine makers in Scotland. The firm of Andrew Pollock of Mauchline (later A. & W. Pollock of Mauchline and now Pollock Farm Machinery). The business was well-known for its potato diggers, carts as well as a range of food processing machines. 

The business was started by Andrew Pollock in 1867. This is how the Ardrossan and Saltcoats herald described Mr Pollock and his business on his death in early October 1904: 

“Death of a prominent agricultural engineer
On Saturday morning last the public of Mauchline were startled when it became known that early in the morning Mr Andrew Pollock, agricultural engineer, had suddenly expired. On Friday he visited Kilmarnock, and when he got back he attended to his duties apparently in his usual health. Mr Pollock was born at Tarbolton upwards of sixty-three years ago. Like most of the Tarbolton boys of that date, he for a short time wrought as a weaver, but not having any liking for that work, he engaged himself with Mr Carenduff, blacksmith, Millburn, as an apprentice. Shortly after he had finished his apprenticeship he commenced business on his own account at what was known as Coilsfield Smithy. Being rather out of the way here, with little prospect of much increase in trade, about thirty-six years ago he removed to Mauchline, where he started business in premises situated at the head of the Cowgate which had been occupied by the late Mr John Meikle. Very little business was doing in the smithy when Mr Pollock took it over, but by industry, enterprise, and perseverance he built up a splendid business. He rebuilt the old premises and extended the workshops, adding up-to-date machinery. His stand of agricultural implements has, for a number of years, been a feature at all the leading shows in the country, and at every centre of agricultural enterprise Mr Pollock’s tent could be seen. He also, since coming to Mauchline, has accumulated a large amount of house property. He was, at the time of his death, an honoured member of the Parish Council and an elder in the Established church. His funeral took place on Tuesday, and was private, with the exception that his workmen and the members of the church session were present. He leaves a widow and a family of three sons and three daughters to mourn their sudden bereavement.” 

The business was continued by his widow, Martha Pollock, until Andrew’s sons were old enough to run it. On 31 December 1912 the business was transferred to Andrew Pollock and William Pollock, under the name A. & W. Pollock, agricultural implement works, Mauchline.

If you were a farmer at the end of the Fist World War you may have had an interest in tractors that were starting to be used on Scottish farms, or had used one of them. The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland was also interested in the tractors and tillage implements, running a series of trials from 1915 into the early 1920s.

The Society’s trial held between 17 and 20 October 1922 was provided an important forum for the exhibition of tractors – including the Glasgow tractor – and implements, especially ploughs, made by Scottish and other makers. The Scottish ploughs were made by some of the leading plough makers of the day, showing their recognition that tractor ploughs were the way forward for the Scottish agriculturist. The ploughs included ones from Robert Begg & Son, Implement Words, Dalry, had a double-furrow self-lift tractor plough which was described as “strongly constructed”. The committee described it as “a well-constructed, easily adjustable plough, readily adapted for either stubble or lea, and suited for all classes of soil. It did good work both on stubble and lea, and the plots ploughed by it were considered to be amongst the best on the ground.”

Morton Engineering Company, Ladylands, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, had a new combined utility implement for general purpose tractor work which embraces a 2-furrow adjustable plough and subsoiler, 9- or 11- tine cultivator, 9-tine stubble scarifier, 5- or 7- tine grubber. The committee described this new plough, convertible into a grubber or cultivator” as being “well designed, simple in construction, and readily adjustable. It did very good work on stubble and excellent work on lea, where its performance reached a very high standard. The Committee are of opinion that a combined implement of this description is a creditable production, and one likely to commend itself to farmers”.

A. Newlands & Sons Ltd, St Magdalene Engineering Works, Linlithgow, demonstrated a self-lift 7-tine grubber, constructed on the same principles as the old Scotch parallel frame grubber, but made specially strong for work with a tractor, as well as two self-lift cultivators, one with 9 tines, the other with 11 tines, and a self-lift brake harrow to work in conjunction with a cultivator.

G. Sellar & Son, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, demonstrated its Sellar B.D.F. type, 2/3-furrow self-lift tractor plough which had a main frame of simple construction combined with strength; it was made of best quality Bessemer steel. It also had a self-lift tractor grubber. The Committee described the 3-furrow, convertible to 2-furrow plough as a “good plough”. It was “easily and quickly adjustable to varying widths and depths. Its work did not reach the highest standard at the demonstration, the principle objection noted being that it did not sufficiently bury the surface vegetation.” The grubber was described as “a well-made powerful 5-tine self-lift grubber, wich broke an unploughed stubble to a depth of 7″ or 8″, and did its work in a first-rate manner”.

A number of Scottish implement and machine makers demonstrated implements from other makers, usually from companies outside Scotland. For example, Henry Alexander & Company, Nottingham Place, Edinburgh, a Fordson dealer, had an Oliver no. 7 2 furrow 10″ to 12″ adjustable plough. Henderson Brothers, 29 Barnton Street, Stirling, had a Massey-Harris 2 furrow adjustable plough, a Massey-Harris 9-tine self-lift cultivator, a Massey-Harris tandem disc harrow and a Massey-Harris spring-tooth harrow. Alexander Jack & Sons, Maybole, had a Dux- self-lift tractor plough with subsoiling attachment. Wallace (Glasgow) Limited, 34 Paton Street, Glasgow, had an Oliver no 78 3-furrow self-lift tractor plough, 10″ wide.

The Committee considered that there had been a significant advance in ploughs since the earlier trials of the Society. It reported that “much good work was performed. All ploughs are now fitted with a self-lift attachment. Many of them are also provided with and efficient means of adjustment to different widths and depths. In view of the varying conditions of soil in Scotland and the variety of work to be undertaken, a plough that is not adjustable must be regarded as being unsuitable. There is still room for improvement, but in the case and rapidity with which adjustment may be effected. In this connection it may be noted that a tractor plough, taking 2 or 3 furrows, requires more adjustment than a horse plough.”

Next time you are at a ploughing match and you see trailing ploughs, think about the early days of the tractor ploughs and the important work of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in promoting them to the Scottish agriculturist.

The photographs of trailing ploughs and ploughing with them were taken at the Scottish Ploughing Championships, October 2016.

The Royal Show, or the annual show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, was a key event in the agricultural calendar, especially for English agriculturists. Scottish ones did attend, though their attendance varied according to the location of the show. The same was true for the Scottish implement and machine makers, though some did specially attend when they had new manufactures to show to the public, or when there were key trials for which they wanted to enter.

The number of Scottish exhibitors was generally small. They usually included some of the key ones. They brought with them their major manufactures to introduce them to an English and wider audience. These included ones that they were renowned for as well as improved ones. They also included ones that they considered filled a niche within the market for implements and machines.

The Scotsman included a lengthy account of the Scottish exhibitors to the Royal Show in July 1922. It is worth quoting at length as it says a lot about what was innovative and important about Scottish agricultural implement and machines and who were some of the most important makers. It states: 

“… Imposing display of implements
There is a comprehensive display of implements and machinery, and the 494 separate stands occupy over 12,000 feet of shedding of various descriptions, in addition to some acres of open ground space. The tendency to combine implements and machines is well illustrated this year. The self-binder, for example, does the work of the reaping machine together. With what was formerly done by hand. Self-lift implements used with tractors from a combination appliance. Some of the latest machinery on view carries this process a step further. There are to be seen drills which also cultivate, how, sow corn, distribute fertiliser or lime, and roll. Again there are harrows combined with a skim plough or with a cultivator, mills which do both grinding and crushing, a manure distributor and sprayer and crusher all in one, and a combined stubble breaker and cultivator. It is through the development of power that such combinations of machines have become possible. 

Scottish implements
Considering the distance of the Show from Scotland, there is a fine display of implements from north of the Tweed. About twenty makers are represented, and it says much for their enterprise that they should have come so far South to compete with the late English manufacturers on their own ground, and the varied and useful implements which they have on view make an exceedingly creditable appearance. Two Scottish manufacturers have entered for the Society’s silver medal for “new implements”. Many of these implements can hardly be called “new”, the main principles on which they operate having been in use for several years, but if they are not a distinct novelty, they all contain some advantageous features that bring them still nearer perfection, and secure greater efficiency in working. These improvements will, no doubt, receive critical attention at the hands of the practical farmers who examine them. 
Mr George Henderson, 58 Leith Street, Edinburgh, is one of the exhibitors of new implements. He shows the “Waverley” manure distributor, which has a number of special features. It is designed to distribute every class of both wet and dry fertilisers, is unusually simple in construction, and has a hopper which is adjustable for hilly land. The force feed distribution is effected by a series of star wheels revolving in brass bushes, while the driving mechanism consists of a worm and pinion to each star wheel, which gives a direct and positive drive. The ball-bearing thrusts blocks are fitted to the ends of the driving shafts. The driving worm and pinions are entirely enclosed, and run in grease, and no fertilisers can reach the driving mechanism. The “Waverley” distributor can be fitted with a special attachment for sowing manure in drills or rows, and there is also a special transport which can be supplied to enable the machine to travel along narrow roads and through small gateways. 
The other Scottish new implement is a 6 to 8 hp single sleeve valve engine known as the “Glasgow” Model M, on the stand of Messrs Wallace (Ltd), 34 Paton Street, Glasgow. The application of the single sleeve valve to stationary engines is new, although it has been used successfully on cars, marine engines, and motor cycles for some time. The advantages are that no poppet valves, tappets, springs &c are employed. The normal speed of the “Glasgow” is 800 revolutions per minute. There is a standard pulley supplied, which can be fitted on either side of the engine, and an extended boss to take any type of pulley. The engine starts on petrol from an auxiliary tank, and afterwards runs on paraffin. The cylinder has a head which is detachable by loosening four studs, and this is done without disturbing the valve gear.

There are no fewer than half a dozen exhibitors from Aberdeenshire. 
Messrs Robert G. Garvie & Sons, Aberdeen, show a light portable threshing and oil engine mounted on a rigid frame, and fitted for use by one or two horses. 
Messrs Barclay, Ross & Hutchison, Aberdeen, exhibit the Austin tractor, as well as threshing machine, manure distributor, and cultivator. 
The Bon Accord Engineering Company have on view a four-foot wide portable threshing machine and a smaller type, oil engines, pumps for water or liquid manure, and drain cleaning rods. 
Messrs Marshall & Philp, Aberdeen, show a series of spraying machines.
Mr James Marshall, Aberdeen, has a great array of egg boxes in all sizes to carry from a dozen to thirty dozen and potato sprouting boxes.
A silo is shown by Messrs James Scott & Son (Ltd), Aberdeen. It is built of reinforced concrete, and it is claimed that it is storm, fire, and vermin proof. And that it entails no upkeep or insurance costs. 
Messrs George Seller & Son, Huntly, make a feature of their ploughs, which are shown in great variety.
The enterprising makers, Messrs Wallace (Ltd), Glasgow, are the largest of the North Country exhibitors, their stand comprising over thirty different articles of farm husbandry. In the forefront are their well-known “Glasgow” tractors, which have been received with great favour by prominent farmers in the Lothians and elsewhere throughout Scotland. They also show the “Glasgow” single sleeve engines which are ready for continuous work of any description without any additional expenditure beyond fuel.
Another Glasgow firm, Messrs Watson, Laidlaw, & Co (Ltd), exhibit eight “Princess” cream separators of various sizes, the largest having a capacity of 330 gallons.
Messrs Alexr Jack & Sons, Maybole, Ayrshire, are as usual represented by a selection of implements so long associated with their business. They make a feature of their “Imperial” potato diggers and manure distributors.
Messrs J. & R. Wallace, Castle Douglas, show, in addition to different types of manure distributors, their milking machine, which is a popular labour-saving device in Scotland. 
Messrs Wm Elder & Sons, Berwick On Tweed, have no fewer than eighteen separate articles on view. Their broadcast sowing machines are shown in various sizes, and have been adapted to suit different quantities of seed.
Among exhibitors of windmills are Messrs John S. Millar & Son, Annan, who show two windmills and pumps suitable for different requirements. 
Beehives and appliances are exhibited by Messrs R. Steele & Brodie, Wormit, Fife.”

Local agricultural shows were an important forum to exhibit agricultural implements and to provide farmers and other agriculturists with a forum to show the latest developments and what was new. Some shows were also accompanied by trials, which put the latest implements and machines through rigorous work and inspection. 

Some of the local shows, such as those in Ayr, Glasgow, and East Lothian, were especially important, with some of the English makers taking a stand and bringing their manufactures to audiences there. They included the show in East Lothian of the United East Lothian Agricultural Society, one of the leading agricultural societies. In 1876, a time of increasing mechanisation, the Show was a large one, with an “excellent and varied” display of implements and machines, including those from English and leading Scottish makers; it also had a trial field. 

What could the farmer and agriculturist see at the United East Lothian Agricultural Show? As the show was an important one, extensive accounts of it were published in the local newspaper press and the framing newspapers. The North British Agriculturist, the national farming newspaper, provided an extensive and detailed account of the implement department, which is worth quoting at length: 

“This department of the show formed, as usual, an excellent and varied display of agricultural implements and machinery, as well as of many articles which could scarcely be recognised as coming within this category, but which, undeniably, contributed much to the generally attractive character of this part of the exhibition. In giving a notice of particular stands, it will be most appropriate on our part for obvious reasons to confine ourselves mostly to what may be termed agricultural stands, and indeed only to the more prominent of these. First in order we have pleasure in noticing Ord & Maddison, Darlington, represented here with their weed eradicator for clearing the grain braird of wild mustard and other weeds. By recent trials in Scotland, both under the auspices of the Highland Society and the East Lothian Agricultural Society, this machine has come very prominently before the public, and its exhibition here necessarily excited much interest. On Friday week it was tried under the auspices of the East Lothian Society, and a committee was appointed to report upon it, but the report has not been issued yet. The trial field, which was on the farm of Mr Stevenson, Hawthornbank, was scarcely so dirty (but the soil from recent rains was very moist) as that at Craigmillar, where it was tried under the auspices of the National Society. In the East Lothian field, of course, more of the weeds were torn up by the roots, although it may be said that in other respects the capabilities of the machine were more fairly put to the test in the Craigmillar field. The judges here, as in the former trial, seemed quite impressed with its usefulness, but its present price, it was considered, would be a deterrent circumstance in regard to its general use by agriculturists. It may be noticed fitly here that since last year Messrs Ord & Maddison have made an important change on the machine, which will very obviously make it easier in motion and more durable. The improvement is the introduction of bass rollers-thus removing all friction in the parts-to run in the excentrices.

Messrs Dodds & Rignall, engineers, Haddington and Edinburgh, exhibit a fine collection of mowers and reapers, rakes, potato digger &c, made by the most of the widely known firms in the kingdom, which secured a good share of attention from visitors. In the large stand of Isaac Cole, Princes Street, Edinburgh, the grooming machine which he had forward attracted a good deal of attention on the part of farmers. It consists of a stand with a fly-wheel, and operates by a series of shafts, encased tubes, and connected by a peculiar species of universal joint which enables a revolving brush to be operated upon in every direction. The brush proceeds, in the hands of an operator, over the horse’s flanks and legs in a surprisingly short time. A horse was brought forward in the show and underwent a grooming, the operation being witnessed by a large number of farmers. The horse, although somewhat dirty, was exceedingly well cleaned, but even during the few minutes to which the operation extended the turning of the handle seemed a pretty hard job, and such as no weakling would like to undertake. The machine can be driven by steam power, and in this way twenty of them are in operation in the Glasgow Tramway Car Company’s establishment, where they are said to be giving satisfaction. Twenty horses, it is also said, can be cleaned in an hour with one machine applied to steam power. We understand it has lately been introduced into some of the valuable English cattle herds, where it might be of great service in maintaining the clear, sleek, mellow coat so desirable. Among work horses also it seems likely to be of some use. Although there seems no doubt as to its utility and capabilities, it is, like most new inventions, just rather too “salt”, in a pecuniary sense, for the farmer, and perhaps the aptness of the remark of an onlooker-“We’ll wait till it’s cheaper”-will be proved by its being carried well into practice.

David Foulis, ironmonger, George Street, Edinburgh, had forwarded a choice collection of stoves, mangles, wringing and washing machines &c; and Mr Linton, Jedburgh, had as usual an attractive display of well-known churns, as also of butter and cheese vessels, for which he and Mr Brown and Murray, Haddington (who were also first in the washing and wringing competition), were awarded certificates. The combined corn and grass seed-dressing machines, and the National Society’s premium fanners of John Richardson, Carlisle, were not the least conspicuous amongst the exhibits. 
Jack & Sons, Maybole, were represented by well-tried and useful implements, such as the Buckeye mower and reaper, a turnip tailing and topping machine, and Aspinall’s patent potato planter. Their strong and well-made barrel churns were the special exhibits which Robinson & Richardson, Westmoreland, had forwarded; while a splendid assortment of hay-rakes, washing-machines, and American ploughs were all of substantial make. The “Excelsior” stone-breaking machine of Messrs David Gray, Coatbridge, was in operation, and was an object of considerable attention to large numbers of visitors. Edwin Sherwood, Bedale, had forward his two-horse reaper, with new crank arrangement; and Logan & Elder, Berwick-on-Tweed, their imperial reapers and mowers, which came in for a share of notice. A. & J. Main & Co., Edinburgh, had perhaps as fine a show of agricultural implements as any firm represented in the showyard. Amongst the most conspicuous of the many useful implements they exhibited was Wood’s self-delivery reaper, which, having here controllable rakes, can put off sheaves of any size; Samuelson & Company’s well-known reaper and mower, and Ransome’s “Star” semi-acting chain delivery horse-rake, which were exhibited for the first time in Scotland; Wallace’s patent potato digger, and the continuous bar-fencing of their manufacture. Sheaves of any size can also be put off by the Johnston Harvester, which was introduced into this country three years ago, and which is here shown by Mr Thomson, Alnwick. It, however, requires, if we mistake not, to be stopped and gearing changed before the Harvester can alter or vary the size of the sheaves.

J. Bisset & Sons, Blairgowrie, had forward, along with one or two useful reaping machines, their potato digger, which is doing good work in practice. Mr hunter’s (Maybole) stand has for a long time been a great attraction to progressive agriculturists, and to show that it was here still as attractive we have only to mention he had forward, among other well-known firms, his self-acting double drill turnip thinning machine and his “Excelsior” double drill turnip topping and tailing machine. Messrs Robey & Co., Lincoln, made a very creditable appearance here in their beautiful and well constructed “Robey” traction engine, which, it may be mentioned, has all the working parts carried in a U-shaped casting placed on the top if the boiler; a thrashing and finishing machine and two portable engines of the most approved construction occupying the rest of their space.
Messrs Fowler & Co. are not behind, which, of course they were not expected to be in the East Lothian showyard. In addition to three powerful and finely-finished ploughing, traction, and general purpose steam-engines, they have on the ground a nine-tined steam cultivator for grubbing and opening the land, and making turnip drills at the same time if necessary. This enterprising firm has also on the ground a steam harrow and clod-crusher, and a presser-roller which had never been exhibited here before. The harrow and clod-crusher is introduced by this form to remove a difficulty experienced, especially in East Lothian, where steam cultivation is adopted. It has been found that the farmers are not able to break the clod and bring the land to a fine tilth in good time after the steam cultivator. Often the clods get so hardened by drought that they cannot be crushed by the common horse Crosskiller or roller, and the land loses-which it has no need to do in East Lothian-the moisture too much by being left so open. The presser-roller consists of five convex-edged wheels, which run between and press the furrows. It is attached to and runs behind the steam plough on the ploughed land. The trial of these new implements will be found reported in another column. The next stand-that of John Doe, Errol-contains a large and splendid assortment of Bamlett’s well made and useful reapers and mowers. Thomas Shirreff & Co., Dunbar, occupy a large space well filled with farm implements of almost all kinds, the ploughs, harrows, grubbers, turnip slicers and cutters, sowing and reaping machines, and carts especially attracting attention. Messrs McIllwraith and Co., Glasgow, had on the ground a large assortmrnt of covering material worthy of special notice, being their new, self-ventilating covering for stacks. While keeping the rain out, it is so openly wrought as to afford free ventilation, and in this respect is better than tarpaulin. The portable steam engine and thrashing machine of Wm Foster & Co., Lincoln, attracted considerable attention. The British Dynamite Company, Glasgow, had forward samples of their material for blasting purposes, an account of experiments in which will be found in another column.

On Saturday Hanson & Hunter’s (Maybole) turnip-thinning machine, and also that of Messrs Pirie & Co.’s (Aberdeen), were put under trial by the implement judges of the show in a field some distance from the yard. The work of the two machines came so near each other in point of efficiency that the judges awarded to each of the owners a silver medal. The thinning, as it was, was done with remarkable regularity, but a cluster of plants, instead of one, were generally left at the specified distances, so that the machines would always require to be supplemented or followed by hand labour for the purpose of trimming. Notwithstanding, the machines were considered a very important addition to the appliances of machinery in the cultivation of the soil, as they would have about one-third of the labour in thinning.”

Quite a show with lots of developments for the East Lothian farmer to consider.

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) for 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.

“The Gentleman Farmer: being an attempt to improve agriculture, by subjecting it to the test of rational principles” of Lord Kames, Henry Home, was an agricultural best-seller of its day. It was first published in 1776. By the early 1800s it had gone through six editions. No other Scottish agricultural book had that level of success. 

Kames showed himself to be a practical agriculturist, and provided comments on the implements and machines used. He was both positive but also critical on the merits of them, and made a range of suggestions on how they could be improved. 

Kames provides a detailed account of the harrow, an important implement for making a good seedbed for a range of crops. It is worth quoting at length for his observations, and to show what farmers and agriculturists were using for harrows. This account is from the 1798 edition of his book: 

“Harrows are commonly considered as of no use to cover the seed. They have another use scarce less essential, which is to prepare land for the seed. This is an article of importance for producing a good crop. And to shew how imperfectly either of these purposes is performed by the common harrow, take the following account of it.
The harrow commonly used is of different forms. The first I shall mention has two bulls, four feet long and eighteen asunder, with four wooden teeth in each. A second has three bulls and twelve wooden teeth. A third has four bulls, and twenty teeth, of wood or iron, ten. Eleven, or twelve inches asunder. Now, in fine mould the last may be sufficient for covering the seed; but none of them are sufficient to prepare for the seed any ground that requires subduing. The only tolerable form is that with iron teeth; and the bare description of its imperfections, will shew the necessity of a more perfect form. In the first place, this harrow is by far too light for ground new taken up from the state of nature, for clays hardened with spring-drought, or for other stubborn soils: it floats on the surface, and after frequent returns in the same track, nothing is done effectually. In the next place, the teeth are too thick set, by which the harrow is apt to be choked, especially where the earth is bound with roots, which is commonly the case. At the same time, the lightness and number of teeth kept the harrow upon the surface, and prevent one of its capital purposes, that of dividing the soil. Nor will fewer teeth answer for covering the seed properly. In the third place, the teethe are too short for reducing a coarse soil to proper tilth; and yet it would be in vain to make them longer, because the harrow is too light for going deep into the ground. Further, the common harrows ate so ill constructed, as to ride at every turn one upon another. Much time is lost in disengaging them. What pity is it, that an industriuous farmer should be reduced to such an imperfect instrument, which is neither fit to prepare the ground for seed, nor to cover it properly! And I now all, that it is equally unfit for extiripating weeds. The ground is frequently so bound with couch-grass, as to make the furrow-slice stand upright, as when old lea is ploughed: notwithstanding much labour, the grass-roots keep the field, and gain the victory. What follows? The farmer at last is reduced to the necessity of leaving the weeds in peaceable possession, because his field will no longer bear corn.

A little reflection, even without experience, will make it evident, that the same harrows, whatever be the form, can never answer all the different purposes of harrowing, nor can operate equally in all different soils, rough or smooth, firm or loose. Looking back not many years above thirty, no farmer in Scotland had the slightest notion of different ploughs for different purposes. The Scotch plough was the only one known. Different ploughs are now introduced; and it is full time to think of different harrows. Rejecting the common harrows, as in every respect badly constructed, I boldly recommend the following, I use three of them of different forms, for different purposes. They are all of the same weight, drawn each by two horses. Birch is the best wood for them, because it is cheap, and not apt to split. The first is composed of four bulls, each four feet ten inches long, three and a quarter inches broad, and three and a half deep; the interval between the bulls eleven and three fourth inches; so that the breadth of the whole harrow is four feet. The bulls are connected by four sheths, which go through each bull, and are fixed by timber nails driven through both. In each bull five teeth are inserted, ten inches free under the bull, and ten inches asunder. They are of the same form with those of the brake, and inserted into the wood in the same manner. Each of these teeth is three pounds weight; and where the harrow is made of birch, the weight of the whole is six stone fourteen pounds Dutch. An erect bridle is fixed at a corner of the harrow, three inches high, with four notches for drawing higher or lower. To this bridle a double tree is fixed for two horses drawing abreast, as in a plough. And to strengthen the harrow, a flat rod of iron is nailed upon the harrow from corner to corner in the line of the draught.

The second harrow consists of two parts, connected together by a crank or hinge in the middle, and two chains of equal length, one at each end, which keep the two parts always parallel, and at the same distance from each other. The crank is so contrived, as to allow the two parts to ply to the ground like two unconnected harrows; but neither of them to rise above the other, more than if they were a single harrow without a joint. Ina. Word, they may form an angle downward, but not upward. Thus they have the effect of two harrows in curved ground, and of one weighty harrow in a plain. The harrow is composed of six bulls, each four feet long, three inches broad, and three and a half deep. The interval between the bulls nine and a half inches; which makes the breadth of the whole harrow, including the length of the crank, to be five feet five inches. Each bull has five teeth, nine inches free under the wood, and ten inches asunder. The weight of each tooth is two pounds, the rest as in the former. 

The third consists also of two parts, connected together like that last mentioned. It has eight bulls, each four feet long, two and a half inches broad, broad, and three deep. The interval between the bull sis eight inches; and the breadth of the whole harrow, including the length of the crank, is six feet four inches. In each bull are inserted five teeth, seven inches free under the wood, and ten and a half inches asunder, each tooth weighing one pound. The rest as in the two former harrows. 
These harrows I hold to be a considerable improvement. They ply to be a considerable improvement. They ply to curved ground like two connected harrows, and when drawn in one plain, they are in effect one harrow of double weight, which makes the teeth pierce deep into the ground. The imperfection of common harrows, mentioned above, will suggest the advantages of the set of harrows here recommended. The first is proper for harrowing land that has lain long after ploughing, as where oats are sown on a winter-furrow, and in general for harrowing stiff land: it pierces deep into the soil by its long teeth, and divides it minutely. The second is intended for covering the seed: its long teeth lays the seed deeper than the common harrow can do; which is no slight advantage. By placing the seed considerably under the surface, the young plants are, on the one hand, protected from too much heat, and, on the other, have sufficiency of moisture. At the same time, the seed is so well covered that none of it is lost. Seed slightly covered by the common harrows, wants moisture, and is burnt up by the sun; beside, that a proportion of it is left upon the surface uncovered. The third harrow supplies what may be deficient in the second, by smoothing the surface, and covering the seed more accurately. The three harrows make the ground finer and finer, as heckles do lint; or, to use a different comparison, the first harrow makes the bed, the second lays the seed in it, the third smooths the cloathes. These advantages are certain. If any man doubt, let him try the experiment, and he will find the effect of them in his crops. I can say so with assurance from the experience of many years. They have another advantage not inferior to any mentioned; they mix manure with the soil more intimately than can be done by common harrows; and on such intimate mixture depends greatly the effect of manure. To conclude, these harrows are contrived to answer an established principle in agriculture, That fertility depends greatly on pulverising the soil, and on an intimate mixture of manure with it, whether dung, lime, marl, or any other.”

What do you think of Kaimes’ views on the roller?

A number of the implement makers held a range of formal events of the work staff. These include visits, dances and other events in the community. They were much looked forward to.

We have attached a number of accounts of these social events from 1900 onwards. They provide a range of insights into the human side of the businesses and their employees and how they came together.

One business that had arranged a number of events for its staff was Ben Reid & Co., Aberdeen. It held a range of annual events. An account from the Aberdeen Press and Journal on 10 February 1900 also provides information on the development of the business:

“The annual assembly of the employees of Messrs Ben Reid and Co., engineers, nurserymen, and seedsmen, was held in the Trades Hall, Aberdeen, last night, under the presidency of Mr Alex Hay. There was a large attendance, and amongst those present were Mr Geo. Duncan, manager of the engineering works, and Mr Morrison Barclay, implement maker. After tea had been served, The Chairman, in the course of some remarks, said he had many pleasant recollections in connection with the Bon-Accord Works, and those employed and associated with them. His recollections went back for about forty years, and before the Bon Accord Works, where they now stood, were built. The engineering department of the firm was founded about 42 years ago by Ben. Reid and Co., seedsmen and nurserymen, a firm that had been in existence for about a century. The implement and engineering works were started in a small way, and carried on under the able management of the late respected Mr Geo. Reid, with whom for many years he was closely associated. The connecting link of the combined business was broken on Mr Geo. Reid’s death in 1881, and they were carried on separately for about sixteen years. After the decease of Mr Anderson-who at the time of his death was sole partner of the Bon Accord Works-the firm purchased the engineering establishment from Mr Anderson’s trustees in 1896, so that the business of seedsmen, nurserymen, and agricultural engineers was again combined and consolidated. In conclusion, the chairman said it was very gratifying to the firm that they had such a body of first class, reliable, and capable workmen in all the departments. (Applause). A most enjoyable programme of songs etc was then gone through, being contributed to by Miss Gordon, Miss B. Bruce, Miss E. Willox, Misses W. Wilson, Griffan, W. McWillie, and W. Murdoch. The accompaniments were tastefully played by Miss Bremner. At the close of the concert dancing was taken part in, the duties of M.C.’s being ably discharged by Messrs Kinnaird, Robertson, Cormack, and McHardy. The success of the function was in a great measure due to the admirable arrangements made by the committee, with Mr W. Mitchell as secretary.”

In July 1915 Newlands and Sons of Linlithgow arranged an excursion for the workers. These excursions were commonplace in central Scotland. They tended to go to fairly local places. They could enjoy the journey and the place where they visited. The Linlithgowshire Gazette of 23 July provides a favourable account of the excursion:

“On Saturday last the employees of Messrs Newlands and Sons, agricultural implement makers, along with their friends, enjoyed the first excursion organised by the firm, when their venue was Callander, which they reached in Mr Galbraith’s motor char-a-banc. They were lucky enough to be favoured by weather which was good, and kept steadily favourable throughout the whole day, when they were journeying through the beautiful country to their destination. A halt was made at Stirling, giving the party an opportunity to wander through this historic town. The day’s outing was voted thoroughly enjoyable.”

Newlands and Sons also contributed to the annual festival in Linlithgow. In June 1929 the Linlithgowshire gazette recorded its contribution to the march:”… The advent of the employees of Messrs Alexander Newlands and Sons Ltd, implement makers, in the ranks of the Marchers’ procession was an occasion for the introduction of something new. This took the form of an agricultural “tractor” and motor lorry, the latter being bedecked with artistically arranged paper colours and models of agricultural implements. Mottoes were legion, and included “Speed the Plough”. “Good equipment makes a good farmer better”. “Roll our way”. The “tractor” was “manned” by two men and a gaily attired fair lady. This was an outstanding display.”

Social events also included an annual dance and wist drive. Whist drives were extremely popular social events in the past. Sellars of Huntly were one business that held an annual staff social. The Aberdeen Press and Journal provided an amount of the social in December 1936:

“Guests at the annual whist drive and dance of the employees of Messrs George Sellar & Son, agricultural implement makers, Huntly, which took place in Huntly Hotel Hall, were welcomed by Mr Robert T. Sellar on behalf of Mrs Sellar and himself. He remarked that since they met a year ago industry in the country generally had been prospering, and unemployment figures were very much reduced. Farmers were finding it very difficult to get labour, as many men had gone into the military and air service, and consequently there had been a bigger demand for tractors.”

Another business that had an annual dance was Barclay, Ross and Hutchison, agricultural implement makers and seedsmen, Aberdeen. An account of its annual dance from the Aberdeen Press and Journal on 20 February 1937, suggests that this was given to thank the staff for their support during the year. It appeared to be a much enjoyed event:

“The staff of Messrs Barclay, Ross and Hutchison, agricultural implement makers and seedsmen, Aberdeen, were thanked for the loyal support and co-operation they had given during the year by Mr T. Hutchison last night, on the occasion of the staff’s annual dance. A company of about 140 enjoyed whilst, supper and dancing in the Palais de Danse. Mr T. Hutchison presided at supper, and along with him were Mr M. Heddle, county road surveyor, and Mrs Heddle; Mr G. Donald, lecturer in the principles of agriculture, and Mrs Donald; and Mr A. A. Girling. Mrs Hutchison handed over the whist prizes to the following-women- 1. Mrs D. Kinghorn, 2. Mrs G. Watt, 3. Mrs N. Salmon, 4. Miss C. Reid (after a tie with Mrs A. McCombie); consolation, Miss M. Cruickshank. Men-1. A. Smart, 2. Gordon Watt, 3. T. Hutchison, 4. A. Farquharson (after a tie with A. A. Girling); consolation, E. Dawson; travelling prize, A. Smart. For their interest in the gathering and the staff, Mr and Mrs Hutchison were cordially thanked on the call of Mr Girling. The arrangements were made by a committee, of which Mr A. Rae was secretary.”

Do you recollect any social events with the implement makers?

By the 1790s the “Agricultural Revolution” had been underway in Scotland for a number of decades. Fields were being enclosed and levelled, trees planted; the appearance of the landscape was being radically altered. With this change there started to be some technological changes in the tools and implements made. The most significant was the development of the iron plough – ploughs made all of iron rather than wood and wood and iron – which was drawn by the two horses rather than the team of oxen. 

During this “Agricultural Revolution” there emerged a small number of agricultural writers who commented on the process of change, their observations on the new practices and gave advice to farmers and landowners on the improvement process. The most noted was Lord Kames, Henry Homes, renowned for his book “The Gentleman Farmer: being an attempt to improve agriculture, by subjecting it to the test of rational principles”. It was first published in 1776. It was to become a best-seller, going through 6 editions from that time until the early 1800s. No other Scottish agricultural book managed that feat. In that book Kaimes shows himself to be a practical farmer and to have given great consideration to agriculture and developing a set of rational principles on which it could operate. His book includes accounts of the most well-used implements of the time. 

Kaimes was critical of some of the implements and machines, but he also provided a range of views on how to make them as good and effective as possible. For this reason, his accounts are worth quoting to show what was being used, what was seen to be effective and what changes could be made to them. 

The following is an account from Kaimes on the roller, published in the 1798 edition of his book: 

“The roller is an instrument of capital use in husbandry, though scarcely known in ordinary practice; and, where introduced, it is commonly so slight as to have very little effect. 

Rollers are of different kinds, stone, yetling, wood. Each of these has its advantages. I recommend the last, constructed in the following manner. Take the body of a tree, six feet ten inches long, the larger the better, made as near a perfect cylinder as possible. Surround this cylinder with three rows of fillies, one row in the middle, and one at each end. Line these fillies with planks of wood equally long with the roller, and so narrow as to ply into a circle. Bind them fast together with iron rings. Beech wood is the best, being hard and tough. It has a double pair of shafts for two horses abreast. These are sufficient in level ground: in ground not level, four horses may be necessary. The roller without the shafts ought to weigh two hundred stone Dutch; and the large diameter makes this greater weight easy to be drawn. 

With respect to the season for rolling. Rolling wheat in the month of April, is an important article in loose soil; as the winter-rains pressing down the soil may leave many roots in the air. Barley ought to be rolled immediately after the seed is sown; especially where grass seeds are sown with it. The best time for rolling a gravelly soil, is as soon as the mould is so dry as to bear the roller without clinging to it. A clay soil ought neither to be tilled, harrowed, nor rolled, till the field be perfectly dry. And as rolling a clay soil is chiefly intended for smoothing the surface, a dry season may be patiently waited for, even till the crop be three inches high. There is the greater reason for this precaution, because much rain immediately after rolling is apt to cake the surface when drought follows. Oats in a light soil may be rolled immediately after the seed is sown, unless the ground be so wet as to cling to the roller. In a clay soil, delay rolling till the grain be above ground. The proper time for growing grass-seeds in an oat-field, is when the grain is three inches high and rolling should immediately succeed whatever the soil be. Flax ought to be rolled immediately after sowing. This should never be neglected; for it makes the seed push equally, and prevents after growth, the bad effect of which is visible in every step of the process for dressing flax. The first year’s crop of sown grasses ought to be rolled as early the next spring as the ground will bear the horses. It fixes all the roots precisely as in the case of wheat. Rolling the second and third crops in loose soil, is an useful work; though not so essential as rolling the first crop. 

The effects of rolling properly used, are substantial. In the first place, it renders a loose soil more compact and solid; which encourages the growth of plants, by making the earth clap close to every part of every root. Nor need we be afraid of rendering the soil too compact; for no roller that can be drawn by two or four horses will have that effect. In the next place, rolling keeps in the moisture, and hinders drought to penetrate. This effect is of great moment. In a dry season, it may make the difference of a good crop, or no crop, especially where the soil is light. In the third place, the rolling grass-seeds, beside the foregoing advantages, facilitates the mowing for hay. And it is to be hoped, that the advantage of this practice will lead farmers to mow their corn also, which will increase the quantity of straw, both for food and for the dunghill.

There is a small roller for breaking clods in land intended for barley. The common way is to break clods with a mell, which requires many hands, and is laborious work. This roller performs the work more effectually, and at much less expence; let a harrowing precede, which will break the clods a little; and after lying a day or a day and a half to dry, this roller will dissolve them into powder. This however does not supersede the use of the great roller after all the other articles are finished, in order to make the soil compact, and to keep out the summer drought. A stone roller feet long, and fifteen inches diameter, drawn by one horse, is sufficient to break clods that are easily dissolved by pressure. The use of this roller in preparing ground for barley is gaining ground daily, even among ordinary tenants, who have become sensible both of the expense and toil of using mells. But in a clay soil, the clods are sometimes too firm, or too tough, to be subdued by so light a machine. In that case, a roller of the same size, but of a different construction, is necessary. It ought to be surrounded with circles of iron, six inches asunder, and seven inches deep; which will cut even the most stubborn clods, and reduce them to powder. Let not this instrument be considered as a finical refinement. In a stiff clay, it may make the different of a plentiful or scanty crop.”

What do you think of Kaimes’ advice on the roller in 1796?