DOI article:
Macdonald, Stuart: The early threshing machine in Northumberland
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49000#0181
THE THRESHING MACHINE
46-47; AA 23. 1795, 438-39; Farm. Mag. 4.
1803, 502),1 but in executing the work more
rapidly, it allowed the individual farmer
greater command of the market (NCRO-
ZCU-1/12 1801). The machine also permitted
a great deal of work to be done on those days
when weather conditions were too inclement
for outdoor activities (Dickson 47). More
grain was said to result from machine thresh-
ing and working conditions for farm labourers
were supposedly healthier (Lester 107, 152).
Other advantages claimed were that the ma-
chine made pilfering by employees or vermin
more difficult, that it avoided deterioration of
corn through storage, that damp corn could
be processed, that it was more efficient in
separating the grain, straw, chaff and small
grain, and that corn affected by smut could be
rendered perfectly acceptable because the ma-
chine did not crush the smut balls (Sinclair
83).
But there were strong bodies of opposition
to the threshing machine in many parts of the
country. It was argued that the initial expence
of a large machine was prohibitive (Murray
59-60). Prices quoted for threshing machines
Fig. 3. Northumberland threshing machine with
circular rake and winnower, 1789.
Dreschmaschine aus Northumberland mit kreis-
fbrmigem Rechen und Worfler, 1789.
171
varied enormously. Some cost as little as £ 20,
but they were usually hand-operated and were
not popular (Lester 126). Nor indeed were
many somewhat larger machines (Sinclair 74;
Farm. Mag. 5, 1804, 19; and 11, 1810, 177).
Even when the power source is named, it is
not generally possible to tell whether the price
included all the appendages to the machine,
the barn work and the materials necessary to
harness the power. It would seem that a
threshing machine of four-horse power cost
about twice as much as one of two-horse
(Sinclair 1814, 1, 254-55), and it is likely that
machines operated by six or eight horses cost
at least proportionately more (Q J A3, 1831 —
2, 998). Certainly the largest threshers, requir-
ing water, wind or steam to drive them, were
in a totally different category from the hand or
one- or two-horse threshers and some cer-
tainly cost over £1,000 in the early 19th
century (NCRO-NRO-467-42-3). Conse-
quently, the initial capital outlay required se-
rious consideration and must have discour-
aged many farmers. Those who risked less
money on smaller machines may well, in the
end, have lost more (Farm. Mag. 6, 1805,443).
Fig. 4. Gearing to the left; feeding board, concave
and circular rake to the right.
Getriebe links; Einlegebrett, konkaver und kreis-
formiger Rechen rechts.
46-47; AA 23. 1795, 438-39; Farm. Mag. 4.
1803, 502),1 but in executing the work more
rapidly, it allowed the individual farmer
greater command of the market (NCRO-
ZCU-1/12 1801). The machine also permitted
a great deal of work to be done on those days
when weather conditions were too inclement
for outdoor activities (Dickson 47). More
grain was said to result from machine thresh-
ing and working conditions for farm labourers
were supposedly healthier (Lester 107, 152).
Other advantages claimed were that the ma-
chine made pilfering by employees or vermin
more difficult, that it avoided deterioration of
corn through storage, that damp corn could
be processed, that it was more efficient in
separating the grain, straw, chaff and small
grain, and that corn affected by smut could be
rendered perfectly acceptable because the ma-
chine did not crush the smut balls (Sinclair
83).
But there were strong bodies of opposition
to the threshing machine in many parts of the
country. It was argued that the initial expence
of a large machine was prohibitive (Murray
59-60). Prices quoted for threshing machines
Fig. 3. Northumberland threshing machine with
circular rake and winnower, 1789.
Dreschmaschine aus Northumberland mit kreis-
fbrmigem Rechen und Worfler, 1789.
171
varied enormously. Some cost as little as £ 20,
but they were usually hand-operated and were
not popular (Lester 126). Nor indeed were
many somewhat larger machines (Sinclair 74;
Farm. Mag. 5, 1804, 19; and 11, 1810, 177).
Even when the power source is named, it is
not generally possible to tell whether the price
included all the appendages to the machine,
the barn work and the materials necessary to
harness the power. It would seem that a
threshing machine of four-horse power cost
about twice as much as one of two-horse
(Sinclair 1814, 1, 254-55), and it is likely that
machines operated by six or eight horses cost
at least proportionately more (Q J A3, 1831 —
2, 998). Certainly the largest threshers, requir-
ing water, wind or steam to drive them, were
in a totally different category from the hand or
one- or two-horse threshers and some cer-
tainly cost over £1,000 in the early 19th
century (NCRO-NRO-467-42-3). Conse-
quently, the initial capital outlay required se-
rious consideration and must have discour-
aged many farmers. Those who risked less
money on smaller machines may well, in the
end, have lost more (Farm. Mag. 6, 1805,443).
Fig. 4. Gearing to the left; feeding board, concave
and circular rake to the right.
Getriebe links; Einlegebrett, konkaver und kreis-
formiger Rechen rechts.