It is always interesting to compare the development of specific agricultural implements and machines through reports of trials of them in different years. A number of implements and machines such as milking machines, potato harvesters, reaping machines, turnip harvesters, ploughs, underwent public trials at different times by national, regional and local agricultural societies.
In the 1870s mechanisation was playing an important role on Scottish farms, and there had been significant inroads made in harvesting the grain and potato crops. Attempts were also being made to try to mechanise other labour intensive farm tasks, such as raising turnips and planting potatoes. At this time the planting of potatoes – and in some areas significant acreages were being planted by hand. Mechanising this work was no easy task: potatoes were not all the same size or shape and had to be planted singly at regular intervals.
In 1875 the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland arranged a trial of a number of potato planters that had been exhibited at its summer show. In October two machines were brought forward for trial (along with some manure distributors). Accounts of that demonstration are important to show the challenges faced in making an effective potato planter. One such account was published in the Jedburgh gazette of 16 October 1875 and is quoted at length:
“Trial of potato planters and manure distributor
The trial ordered by the Implement Committee of the Highland and Agricultural Society of potato planters and a manure distributor selected at the Glasgow show, took place on Tuesday afternoon on the farm of Liberton Tower Mains, about a mile and a-half from Edinburgh. Though four planters were exhibited in the show yard-viz, those of A. Guthrie, Craigo, Montrose; W. Dewar, Kellis, Dundee; G. Ferguson, Kinnochtry, Coupar-Angus; and C. Hay, North Merchiston House, Edinburgh-and though all were invited to take part in the trial, only the two first-mentioned makers sent their machines to the field. These two planters, together with the combined driller and manure distributor, patented by R. Parker, Cuthorn Park, Stranraer, were set to work at one o’clock on a field from which Mr Monteith, the tenant, has just lifted a fine crop of turnips, and which was in every way suited for the trials. The first machine put into gearing was the manure distributor, an implement which has been contrived with a view to save labour and secure more efficient work, the distribution of manure having at present to be overtaken almost entirely by hand. The distributing portion of Mr Parker’s machine consists of a pair of hoppers or feeding boxes, in the interior of which two sets of teeth are made to revolve in such a way as to admit of the manure escaping in a perpetual stream from an aperture in the bottom, the size of which can be regulated. After passing from the hopper the manure is carried by means of sprouts or slides to the drills, which in the meantime have been opened up by two single-furrow ploughs attached to the implement beneath, and travelling immediately in front of the slides. In the fore part of the machine are the driving wheels, as well as appliances for steering and for regulating the depth of the furrow. Drawn by a pair of horses, and attended by two men-the hoppers having been filled with a couple of cwt of dissolved bones-the machine was carefully tested, and though it cannot be said that the manure was put into the drills with perfect regularity, and while some exception might be taken to the heaviness of the draught, the implement seemed such as is likely to be made really serviceable before long. From one of the hoppers the manure flowed freely and regularly enough, but the delivery from the other was intermittent, apparently owing to some flaw in the working of the teeth inside. Another objection taken was to the closeness of the furrows which were made-the drill being only a two-feet one; but this, of course, could be easily remedied. With the potato planters the experiments were less satisfactory. Great irregularity characterised the delivery of the seed, and as many as five potatoes were sometimes found lying close together. The machine first tried was that of Mr Guthrie, which is worked by a revolving wheel about two feet in diameter, furnished with a set of cups by which the seed is lifted and deposited alternately in one or other of the two drills covered by the planter. It is intended that by each cup only one potato should be caught, but on Tuesday as many as three tubers were frequently lifted at a time, causing an objectionable waste of seed. The irregularity of the delivery was increased by the unsteady working of the horse, which by the arrangement of the gearing of the implement was made to walk along the crown of the drill. Me Dewar’s patent, it may be remembered, was exhibited at the show of the East Lothian Agricultural Society. The seed, it is only necessary to repeat, is taken from the hoppers by a pair of large wheels, round which are arranged, at intervals of 11 inches, a series of catches, worked by spiral springs, and which unfailingly lift the potatoes from the basket. So far, the operation of the machine seemed perfect; but the tubers were thrown out into the furrow by a slide in such a way that they became scattered, and in many cases lay together in threes or fours. The draught in this case was lighter; but with neither of the machines did the judges seem satisfied. The members of the Society’s Implement Committee present were Captain Hunter of Thurston, Mr Minro, Fairnington, Kelso; Mr P. B. Swinton, Holyn Bank, Gifford; Mr D. Stevenson, C.E., Edinburgh, consulting engineer to the society, and Mr J. D. Park, practical engineer to the society. Mr F. N. Menzies, secretary, was on the ground superintending the arrangements. The report of the committee as to the result of the experiments will be presented to the next meeting of the directors. Of farmers not more than half a dozen were present.”
After 1875 there were other trials of potato planters. If we go forward in time to 1950 we can see the significant changes that were made to the mechanisation of potato planting. In that year the “Smallford” potato planter was described to be “as automatic as it is possible to be”. If the demonstrators from 1875 had seen what was being developed in 1950, I think they would have marvelled at the sight.
An account of the “Smallford potato planter” was published in the Kirriemuir free press and Angus advertiser on 6 April 1950 and it is quoted at length:
“The Smallford potato planter
Interesting demonstration
A most interesting demonstration on the “Smallford” potato planter, a three row automatic machine, was given at Inchyra, Glencarse, last Thursday, by J. Bisset & Sons, Ltd, Blairgowrie, who are the sole agents for the whole of Scotland.
The planter has taken approximately six years to develop, and now in its final form is as automatic as it is possible to be. Using graded seem 95 to 97 per cent automatic planting is obtained, the remaining 3 to 5 per cent being made up by the operator.
Planting can be done at anything from 10 to 16 acres per eight-hour day, depending on the nature of the ground.
It is easily adjusted for “setting” and spacing between rows and can be used as a straightforward planter, or planter and coverer, or planter, coverer and ridger.
The driving wheels are 3ft 6ins in diameter, and have a 5in face. So that the machine can be turned in its own length, each wheel is fitted with a free-wheel hub.
The graded seed are loaded into the hopper which is so placed that when full, a nice balance is obtained on the axle. As the machine is drawn forward, the potatoes fall by gravity on to an agitator which “marshals” them down a chute leading on to an endless conveyor. The conveyor has a series of cups in groups of three, which pick up the potatoes and deliver them to the rear of the machine where they fall into a box compartment which stretches the full width of the planter. The potato in the centre cup falls straight down the chute into the ground. The potatoes in the right and left hand cups fall to the bottom of the box compartment and are carried by paddles to their appropriate chutes and down into the ground, where they are immediately covered.
Provision is made for “setting” at 12, 15, 18 and 21 inches by the moving of one chain. Provision is also made for adjusting the spacing between rows. A seat is provided for the one operator to manipulate the tool bar leaver and clutch and also to check that all cups in the conveyor are full.
If ever there was a labour-saving device this automatic planting machine can be classed as such.”
