AGRIMOTORS IN, COMPETITION.
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Contests on the Scottish Border and in the West Calder District. The Advantages of Power, Demonstrated.
FEW INCIDENTS have attracted so large' and. interested an attendance in the Border counties as the Newtown St. Boswells and District Farmers' Club ploughing competition, which took place recently at Bettyfield Farm, Roxburghshiret The society has hitherto held two matches on Bettyfield—one in 1909; with horses; another in 1913,, when a motorftractor and steam plough took part in the test. The work at that time, performed both by . the motor tractor and the steam plough, was not in keeping with_a Scotsman's ideas of a good seed furrow. Now, however, immense improvements, both in the mechanism of tractors and tractor ploughs, have been devised, and the general impression formed at the-latest trial was that the old order is rapidly changing, and that in the Borders, at least, it is only a matter °Mime when, within limitations, the more suitable farm tractors and tractor ploughs will oust the team of horses from the furrow.
In a field of a deep loam soil of 32 acres, tractors and ploughs of many different kinds gave an exhibition of work that claimed the admiration of all. Even allowing for the fact that the field was a one-year-old lea, the furrows although they could nothave been expected to have the crest of an older lea, were uniform, compact, and well turned, and such as would make an excellent seed bed. Fifteen tractors and 32 pairs of horses took part.
Of Austin tractors, no fewer than seven were at B24 work, with many varied and improved makes of ploughs. Having wheels with studs in place of strale,s, it did not compress the soil to such an extent as some others, with the result that the furrows were unbroken. The agents, Messrs. Moir and Baxter, Edinburgh, for the South and East of Scotland, have had a great demand for these machines.
A machine which commanded a very considerable amount of attention was the Glasgow tractor, manufactured by Wallace Farm Implements, Ltd., Glasgow. The design of this machine made a very fayourable impression on the spectators. It did its work in a steady, quiet-going manner, evidently the result of good engineering construction, and it was obvious to all that it had a great reserve power, which would enable it to meet the all-round requirements of Scottish farmers. With an Oliver three-furrow plough, it turned a good, well-compressed, and set-over furrow.
The Twin City tractor is a special favourite in America, and, like all other American machinery, is of simple design. This tractor was very highly commented upon at the Lincoln trials, and, with a Seller three-furrow plough, did admirable work. The plough in design is similar to Sellar's B.M.P. It is very easily adjusted by the tractor operator—a slide link combined with a pinion and quadrant throws it out of and into gear. A wheel at the end, with a swivel attachment, allows of the plough being backed with
freedom if required. The M.P. in conjunction with the head share can be put off an bar dispensed with if preferred. This plough appears to meet the needs of the one-man tractor as effectively as any plough on the market, and Mr. W. R. Storie, the local agent, states that he has sold over 3,000 in the Border counties. • The International Juniorwas giving good results with a Ransome's two-furrow plough, and Mr. Henderson, Kelso Foundry, agent for both, has transacted a large amount of business in these machines in the South of Scotland. The tractor is a handy, generalpurpose one, of medium weight. It is easy to handle, has two independent brakes, is sprung both front and rear, and the working parts are accessible. To this tractor and plough the judges gave premier place. . Ransome's improved digger type and ordinary general type werebeing ably operated by Messrs. Robinson, Johnstone. and Scott, all being ploughmen of no mean fame. The other types were the new bar. pointed and the double-furrow with movable point. All are fitted with Rawl:one's well-known adjustable parts, suitable for any condition of work, and all are easily convertible into three.furrows. • Another tractor which claimed a large share of attention was the Fordson with Sellar two-furrow plough attached. It is a light tractor, easy to rnanipulate, and capable of turning in a short space. With the Seller plough, it turned an excellent, furrow, and was awarded second prize.
The Emerson' an Anterican tracter, was doing good work with a three-furrow Cockshutt plough. It is a useful tractor of medium eeight and power, and, with the three-furrow Cockshutt self-lift plough, gave very good results.
Messrs. Jack and Sans, Maybole, had brought forward for demonstration an Austin tractor and their new Dux plough. .Mr. Henderson, Kelso, had forward an Austin tractor and a Ransome's bar-paint plough.
The Scottish Oil Agency Glasgow's local representative, Mr. Brunton, was in attendance, and delivered supplies of rock-light oil, upon which all the tractors were worked. The Border Farmers' Trading Supply, Ltd., supplied the oil free for the tractor demonstration.
In an adjacent field of two-year-old lea, which had a distinct touch of clay and was more irregular in contour, 32 pairs of horses presented an animated scene.
Tractor Ploughing Awards.
(1) John Jeffrey, West Nisbet, International Junior tractor and Ransomele plough ; (2) Thos. Greenshields, Manorhill, Fordson tractor and Sella'. plough ; (3) John M'Bain and Son, Chirnside, Austin tractor and Oliver plough. There were in the tractor competition three Fordson tractors competing, four Austins, one Emerson, two International Juniors, one • Twin city, and two Glasgow tractors. The prizes were given out by Mrs. Murray, Charter House, and the usual votes of thanks,accorded.
Ploughing Match at West Calder.
Gold Medal for International Junior Tractor.
A ploughing match took place at Crofthead, West Calder, last week, when, in ideal weather conditions, four tractors and N single and double furrow ploughs gave a very creditable exhibition.
Of the tractors at work, the British Wallis, with a Ransome's two-furrow self-lift plough—the merits of both being well known—turned a.. well-laid over furrow. Owing to the stiff clay soil. and the plough being fitted with stubble shares, the work was rather plain compared with that in other competitions in which this tractor has taken part, Messrs. R. and A. Wilson, Portobello, who are agents for the International Junior, gave a highly satisfactory exhibition with this tractor and Sellar's revised B.M.P. plough. The furrows were uniform and well laid over, and the judges had no difficulty in awarding premier place to this concern.
In a very stiff part of the upper portion of the field, the Wyles's combination tractor plough, 11 h.p., did quite good work, but was rather light for this class of soil. It is a combination most suitable for the smaller farmers Or market .gardeners. Messrs. Moir and Baxter, Edinburgh, had put forward an Austin, to which an Oliver two-furrow plough, with Morton's improved mould boards was attached. These improved mouldboards have been a valuable acquisition to the Oliver in packing and turning down the surface of the furrow.
Tractor awards were. as follow :--(1) R. Wilson, Portobello (gold medal), with International; (2) J. Barclay, Bellsquarry (silver medal), Austin.
AGRIMOT.