The Royal Northern was one of the key agricultural shows in Scotland. It provided an important showcase for agricultural implement and machine makers in the north east and further afield to exhibit their manufactures and those for which they held agencies. The Aberdeen press and journal provided an account of the implement department in its issue of 23 July 1925. It described what was new, innovative and worth a look at the key stands of makers. It is well worth a read for seeing what was on display at that time and to consider how much implements and machines have changed since that date:
“Royal Northern
Prospects of an excellent display
In every prospect of the Royal Northern Show, which takes place in the grounds of the Society at Kittybrewster to-day, gives promise of being one of the best held for many years.
Round the stands
One of the sections of the show which will attract all visitors from country and city alike is that devoted to the display of agricultural implements. Every kind of implement, machine, and utensil necessary for the successful working of a modern farm are on view. All the 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 J. Shepherd & Sons
Stand no. 27-Messrs J. Shepherd and Sons, wheelwrights and commercial motor vehicle builders, 59 and 61 John Street and 20 Charlotte Street, Aberdeen, specialists in the provision of the indispensable farm cart, stanced a number of very fine examples of the wheelwright’s craft, the workmanship of which in the well-seasoned timber for which the firm is famous, being appreciatively commented upon. The carts and lorries presented an effective appearance in the colours in which they were painted-ultra-marine blue and carmine red. The collection also included a four-wheel horse lorry for Elgin Town Council, and they have various motors in hand. There were also wheels in wood, hay frames, shelvings, casehardened axles, and other articles of agricultural requirements; and Mr John Shand extended a cordial welcome to the stand, which is well worth a visit.
The Harper Motor Co. Ltd
Stand no 20-At this stand will be found the world-famous Fordson tractors, suitable for both agricultural or industrial purposes. One canopied tractor had an Eagle 3 ½ ton tipping trailer, specially adapted for the Fordson. There is also on view a Ford Sedan and a Ford van, and all who wish to see the latest in tractor development will not fail to call at this stand where the workmanship and material is of the best.
Messrs Barclay, Ross & Hutchison Ltd
Stand no 25-Fresh from the Royal at Chester and the “Highland” at Glasgow, this well-known firm in the agricultural world have a great display of types of portable and semi-portable threshers, all to be seen in motion, with an Austin tractor and Ruston-Hornsby crude oil engine. There is a Lister petrol engine, and the usual selection of Albion and Hornsby binders, mowers, food-preparing machinery. Ransome’s celebrated horse rakes, cultivators, and potato diggers; with a great variety of other articles, such as garden seats, churns, separators. The practical demonstrations are interesting and instructive, and are the firm have a national reputation that is best in machinery and implements, a visit to this stand should not be overlooked.
Messrs George Bruce & Co
Stand no 11-The long-established and well-known firm of Messrs George Bruce and Co., seed and implement merchants, 14 Regent Quay, Aberdeen, have one of the largest and most up-to-date assortments in the showyard. The display of beautiful Massey-Harris binders will attract attention. There are half a dozen on view, the attest improvements including an ingenious canvas slackener. The Massey-Harris binder is one of the best on the market, and, as it is adapted with the sheaf-carriers, it is a great saving of labour in the harvest field, and for tractor work indispensable. Agriculturists should not miss inspecting the other implements, which include mowers, horse rakes, potato diggers, manure distributors, corn bruisers, chaff and turnip cutters, and cake breakers; while there is also an excellent collection of food-preparing machinery. Not the least attractive feature of the display is the selection of dairy appliances, comprising butter churns of different types and miscellaneous implements all useful to the dairy farmer.
Mr James Robertson, seedsman
Stand no 13-Mr James Robertson, nurseryman and seedsman, 14 Hadden Street, has a splendid collection of all kinds of machinery and implements essential to the farming industry. Among them is the Lister oil and petrol engine, which on account of its efficiency and durability has enjoyed much popularity. There is also shown at work a Lister single ram pumping plant, which is an ideal pumping set for country houses, estate farms, hotels, and other domestic water supplies. Other exhibits are seen in operation, and the latest is shown in food-coolers, barrows, binders, weighing machines, potato diggers, manure pumps, garden implements, portable boilers, oil tanks, churns, separators, bruisers, mangles, beehives, and other appliances for the apiarian.
Messrs W. Smith & Son Ltd
Stand no 14-At this stand-one of the largest in the showyard-Messrs W. Smith and Son Ltd, the well-known Aberdeen firm of seedsmen and implement dealers, have as usual, a large and comprehensive display of farm implements-examples of the manufacturers of manufactures of many of the leading agricultural engineers at home and abroad. The famous McCormick binders, mowers, and rakes are shown, including binders of 5 and 6 feet cut for use with horse or tractor, with sheaf-carriers to carry from one to half a dozen sheaves. The form of binder is now very popular with tractor users. The equally-famous “Royal” mowers, “Lion” rakes, and “Triumph” potato digger of Messrs Bamfords, and a large assortment of that firm’s food preparing machines-corn bruisers, grinding mills, chaff-cutters, turnip pulpers-are prominent on the stand. 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 Journal” 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.
For the horticulturist, they show a selection of their famous roses, garden seats, lawn mowers and lawn rollers, and Shank’s “Wizard” motor mowers.
Messrs R. G. Garvie & Sons
Stand no 24-Here Messrs R. G. Garvie and Sons, engineers, are exhibiting a 3ft 6 in, finishing threshing machine, which is equipped with a new device for extracting dust and dirt, so that the grain is delivered absolutely free from impurities. This firm is also showing a 2ft 4in single dressing machine with high-speed frum and a 2ft medium-speed machine of the same kind with barley awner. Another interesting exhibit of Messrs Garvie’s is a 9-horse Blackstone oil engine, with ball-bearings all over, which is claimed to be the finest type of oil engine on the market. The Fairbanks-Moss petrol and paraffin engines, all steel, unbreakable saw benches, manure distributors, and bruisers are other features of stand no. 24.
Messrs A. Milne & Sons, cartwrights
Stand no. 33-Messrs A. Milne and Sons, 50 Jopp’s Lane, Aberdeen, are well known experts as millwrights and engineers, cart, lorry, and body builders, and their finished workmanship always commands a ready market. At the stand they exhibit splendid farm carts, barrows &c, and those in search of these farm indispensables will find their wants courteously attended to here.
Messrs A. Dey & Co., engineers and wheelwrights
Stand no 23-Messrs Alex Dey and Co., engineers, general blacksmiths, body builders, and wheelwrights, who carry on a successful business at the Deeside Cart and Lorry Works, Poynerneuk Road, Aberdeen, have an established reputation in their own particular industry, and their exhibits will command the attention of agriculturists. As examples of their fine workmanship, the firm show a complete farm cart, two-wheeled lorry, and dairy cart, and these will bear approved inspection.”
