The north-east of Scotland had some prominent implement and machine makers that were known well-beyond the boundaries of that district; some were known world wide as well as their manufacturers.
We can meet the makers and their manufacturers through a range of evidence, including show reports, business records and local newspapers. Newspapers in the north-east played an important role in promoting the activities of the makers. These included adverts of their manufactures as well as reports from the key agricultural shows.
The Royal Northern Show (both the winter and summer shows) were featured at length in the local newspapers. They published extensive accounts of the implement department, including accounts of the most important stands and what implements and machines were notable on them. These included the latest ones, new developments and ones that were highly regarded.
An extensive account of the Royal Northern Show was published in the Aberdeen press and journal of 21 July 1927. It recoded what was on the stands of some of the key local makers that were well-known in the district:
“Royal Northern Show
Round the stands
Fine display of farming implements
Visitors from the country and town alike will find much to interest them in the display of implements, etc, at the show of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society at St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, to-day. Every kind of implement, machine, and utensil necessary for the. Successful working of a modern farm are on view. All enterprising firms are showing their most up-to-date appliances, and additional interest is lent to the fine display by the fact that many of them are seen in actual operation.
Messrs Barclay, Ross, and Hutchison (stand no. 21)
Messrs Barclay, Ross, and Hutchison, Ltd, are showing a large selection of implements and machinery, which includes a 3ft 6ins portable thresher driven by an Austin tractor. Ruston-Hornsby oil engines and Lister petrol-paraffin supply the power for several smaller portable threshers. This firm also exhibits its own make of wave disc manure distributor with an improved type of shutting bar and a new Standard binder manufactured by Messrs Ruston Hornsby. This is an all-steel machine, and is claimed to be the lightest on the market.
Messrs W. Smith and Son, Ltd (Stand no 17)
On Stand no. 17, Messrs W. Smith and Son, Ltd, seedsmen and implement agents, Aberdeen, show a large and comprehensive collection of farming implements, etc, manufactured by some of the best British and American agricultural engineers. They show the popular McCormick Binder which can be supplied to cut 5, 6, 7, and 8 feet, for use with horses or tractor, and may be had with sheaf carriers to deal with from one to six sheaves.
Prominent on the stand is Bamfords’ famous Royal mower and reaper with their new patent curved spiral and bevel gearing for which the makers were awarded seven medals last year at the principal English and Irish shows. This gear ensures noiseless and even running, imparts to the cutting bar a very smooth motion, whilst the draught if considerably reduced.
For the benefit of the farmer’s wife there is a large and varied collection of dairy appliances-churns, butter-workers, the well-known “Diabolo” and “Alfa Laval” separators, and the popular “Framer’s Friend” combined cheese chessel and press. Bar frame hives and appliances, fountain lime-washing and spraying machines, are among the other agricultural appliances that find a place in Messrs Smith’s display.
Messrs Wm Reid and Leys (Stand no. 18)
A fine display of agricultural implements is that of Messrs W. Reid and Leys, on stand 18. The Don patent pole grubber, Aberdeen ploughs, Osborne binders and hay mowers, both Vickings and Jacks, are among the exhibits. In addition there is a good display of Alpha Laval cream separators, the Don cart turnip cutter and the firm’s own turnip sower. The turnip sower is an entirely new machine and is bound to attract considerable attention.
Harper Motor Co., Ltd (Stand no. 23)
As authorised Ford dealers for this territory, the Harper Motor Co., Ltd, have a very interesting display. The famous Fordson Tractor is prominent, and while little change may be apparent to the untrained eye, there are several noted improvements. One tractor is fitted with a Junior mower which should be of great interest at this time of the year. Another Fordson is equipped with rubber tyred wheels and is capable of pulling up to 10 tons.
The Ford Young car is exhibited and a noted feature is its exceedingly smart appearance. It is priced at £125.
The familiar Ford ton-truck completes the vehicles, but there is also shown an Oliver 2-furrow plough, specially built for the Fordson Tractor, as well as an interesting display of spare parts.
James Roberston, Aberdeen (Stand no. 15)
Almost every requirement of the framer is to be found at the stand occupied by Mr James Robertson, 14 Hadden Street, Aberdeen. The universally famed Lister engines for various farm uses provide a notable feature of his exhibits. There are also Deering binders, mowers, and horse-rakes, which have the admirable qualities of lightness and durability to commend them. Dairymen will find their interest captured by a special display of diabolo cream separators. They have a 10 years’ guarantee and have the merit of being easily run and easily cleaned. A display of bee hives and appliances will be given throughout the day. Other important parts of farm equipment that are being exhibited at this stand are the Albion mower, the Jack potato digger, barn fanners, 50 gallon oil tanks, manure pumps and boilers, and hay collectors.
Messrs C. F. Wilson and Co., Ltd (Stand no. 29)
Economically-driven engines for threshing mills are exhibited by Messrs C. F. Wilson and Co. Ltd, at stand 29. “Wilson” oil engines, which have for so many years faithfully aided the farmer in completing his harvest, are here exhibited in their latest models. A crude oil engine of 15 brake horsepower is also seen running. The simplicity of the working parts and the smooth running of this engine are at once noticeable. A particular feature of this crude oil engine is its fuel pump and engine spraying device, the simple design of which, in combination with the governor, does away with all irritating adjustments.
There are also exhibited the “Wilson” 15 and 8 b.h.p. paraffin oil engines. These are so well known to farmers for their reliability and success in driving threshing mills that we merely mention them here.
Messrs C. F. Wilson and Co. Ltd, are also makers of cold starting crude oil engines, which can be inspected at their works at Constitution Street.
Messrs George Bruce and Co. (Stand no 16)
Messrs Bruce and Co., are showing on Stand 16 a number of new Massey-Harris no. 6 binders, mowers, and rakes from the same factory and a large assortment of potato sorters and potato cutters. An extremely useful hay loader with an attachment for levering the hay on to the flat lorry is also shown. Cake mills, weighing machines, and various sizes of milk churns of the most up-to-date types and also shown on this stand.
Balgownie Dairy (Stand no. 7)
Every utensil for the efficient and hygienic purveying of milk is to be exhibited at the stand occupied by the Balgownie Dairy. The firm conducts the largest business in dairy utensils in Scotland outside Edinburgh, and dairymen would be well repaid by a visit to the stand. They will find there the most up to date separators, cleaners, seamless milk bottles and boxes, churns, butter workers, cooler pans, cooler stands, bottle-filling machines, washing-house tanks and boilers, milking pails and bottle washing outfits. Mr G. Maitland will be in charge of the stand.
Messrs J. Shepherd and Sons (Stand no. 25)
At Stand no. 25, J. Shepherd and Sons exhibit a collection of vehicles for agricultural purposes, the principal exhibits being their famous farm carts. These carts are all built of oak framing with larch linings, shelvings and bottom. The horse-drawn lorry is still to the front, both for farm work and town work. The specimen shown is an instance that the farm has the material as well as the skill to turn out a first class and highly finished article. They also show a variety of wheels in wood, showing the richness of the timber used and the quality used in manufacture. A variety of farm and garden barrows is also shown.”
