Agriculture

This category provides the viewer with an in-site into what farming was like before intensive specialist farming techniques were introduced. The type of farming which took place up to the mid 1900s was classed as mixed. This was where each farm kept a mixed selection of stock including cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and of course used the Clydesdale horse as the means of power on the farm. The communication was done on foot bicycle or by pony and trap.

There was a strict crop rotation called the seven-year shift, which rotated crops on land in a regular sequence so that the land would yield and produce and also rest. Changed days now. Perhaps farming will need to re appraise how the mixed rural farming system operated to produce safe wholesome foods. It is clear that today's farming techniques have reached crises point. The material in this section could be an accurate reference for new strategic outlooks in farming.

  1. Hay making (pre tractor techniques), using labour and the Clydesdale horse. See how this vital crop was managed in a labour intensive situation. The processes and skills are captured of a by gone era prior to intensive crop management and mechanical input.
  2. Harvesting, featuring the sickle, scythe the reaper, the binder and the combine. This provides a progression of technology through time from biblical times to today.
  3. Ploughing and planting, feature the horseman and his pair. This shows all the tasks performed by the Clydesdale horse and the skilled men who worked them.
  4. Traditional byre and stock husbandry. Prior to intensive stock management on farms each farm and croft had its own byre where the cattle were tied up in their stalls all winter. "Deeing the byre" was a significant and skilful task.
  5. Farm cheese, butter and honey production. This shows how most farms in the 1930s were also a production plant for by products of its own production.
  6. The role history and impact of the Clydesdale horse. This breed of horse used in farming is 200 years old this development and the contribution it has made over that time is charted.
  7. Threshing techniques featuring Steam engine, Barn mill, Traveling mill, Flail and Combine. Take a glimpse into how technology and its application and consequences have impacted on farming.
  8. The work of the crofter, featuring, hoeing neeps, casting peat and building the stack, the importance of water, crop rotation, power sources about the croft.
  9. Land reclamation, trenching of virgin land, the ridge and furrow system, the twelve oxen plough, the enclosure system, drainage and dyking. Understand how when and why the ridge and furrow systems was replaced by the enclosure of land. See at first hand how baron land was brought in to cultivation.
  10. The modern day agricultural improvers. The agri industry is always involved in development and improvements. Today's improvers need to be recognised, and identified, for their view on improvements within the industry.
  11. New breeds and Technology. How the role of internationalism and the global economy have impacted on farming stock and its management.
  12. The farm roup. This sale of farmers "lock stock and barrel" has been practiced for generations. Capture the emotion the preparation and the reasons and the actual event. With the small farms now almost totally sold and amalgamated these events are almost extinct. See how several generations of the same family finally had to sell all their cherished items of family, farming and personal significance. Some of these old remnants are sold as collector's pieces with buyers coming from hundreds of miles for such materials. This is a good example of the displenishment of our material culture.
  13. The "clocker" and chickens at foot and the brooder.This hatching of the farmers/crofters own chickens through the natural process of fertilisation brooding and rearing of stock was the only method available prior to intensive poultry farming.
  14. The importance of the midden. Artificial fertilisers are a modern concept in farming. Farmers and crofters used organic in house forms of fertiliser in the form of stock dung and straw bedding. This was a valuable asset. Find out how this was optimised.
  15. Tattie picking and dressing techniques. This was a main crop on most farms. See how labour intensive processes were used. The children had "Tattie Holidays" as part of the school calendar up to the 1950s. Find out how the tatties were stored and then graded on each farm.
  16. The last sale at Belmont mart and the first sale at Thainstone mart, now one of Scotland's largest auction market. Listen to the views of old farmers when faced with the prospect of a brand new market place. The tradition of going to the toon t the mart was significant not just for the farmer, but for the whole family.
  17. Tractors over time. What were the famous makes and what impact did they make.
  18. Poultry including the hens pot. This process was a feature of farm/croft life and shows how all waste products were utilised safely into the food chain. The hens loved the POTS contents. See the original free-range hen strutting about.
  19. The local agricultural shows. The life cycle of show the events and the significance of such events in the local progression of an industry. The area skills showcase. It was also a major event in the rural calendar.
  20. The tools of the Byre. What they were and how they were used.
  21. Set-a-side and incentives. The motives for such incentives lesson learning. Land almost being returned to the wild. What would the men who broke in the land with their sweet of their brow think?
  22. Bothy hairdressing techniques. This is another instance of self-sufficiency of the rural economy. Most individuals made a positive contribution to the community ethos. Interdependence was essential.
  23. Milking the cow technologies. See the hand milking through byre machine milking to robotic intensive milking processes.
  24. Filling the chaff bed. The linkage between the process of farming with the process of housekeeping. One of the most comfortable beds available to man was the Chaff bed. See how the mattress was produced for this.
  25. Thatching the rucks. Why this process was essential and how it was done, another mark of professional pride.
  26. The Horse and the cow as a working team. Find out why this had to happen and how it was done.
  27. A lifetime working with Aberdeen and Northern Marts. Accounts of market closures and the impact for the communities and an industry
  28. The possible impact of BSE on the farmer as the first news broke. The prospects for the cattle industry as the news breaks