William smith cowsrieve - Aberdeenshire blacksmith - ploughing match ?

[DonM]

Ploughs can pivot and or be adjusted by turning the screw for depth so you can transport them.  Only those travelling some distance as in miles would be put on a cart.  So when they say put to the ground it means they have been lowered to the ground and then adjusted too to the depth they want.  When the oxen/mules/horses starts, the plough cuts the sod to the desired depth.  Think of an anchor digging into the sand. 

When I was young we had a 8 horse team with a 3 bottom plough that we took to fairs where the matches took place.  The ploughman was at the back adjusting the plough and 2 tenders walking along the side keeping the horses pointed the right way. 

Frankly, its boring to watch its all about the results not the ploughing.  So they look for straight parallel rows, consistency of the depth the lay of the sod. They want too see a nice uniform curl.

Don

[ryan37]

Thanks to all of you for providing me with very detailed information and descriptions , it has fairly improved my understanding of the ploughing match ,

Very very interesting that all of this went on


Does it suggest that mr smith had adjusted the clipper
Build to suit the ground ?


thanks

Ryan

[GR2]

"The ground" just means the fields where the match is taking place.

I think part of the problem is a misreading. It does not say he has made any adaptation. It says he has adopted the clipper build. In other words he is making his ploughs using it. He has not adapted it, but adopted it.

[ryan37]

Thanks very much for your help

That’s very helpful


Ryan

[DonM]

Here is a pic.

https://www.wpclipart.com/world_history/agriculture/plow/steel_clipper_plow.png.html

[Forfarian]

Ploughing matches are still held, though nowadays the power is mostly tractors rather than horses.

See https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5971141 and click though the links to see the full set of images.

Also https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6562.

And https://www.scotplough.co.uk/ for information about forthcoming matches.

[DonM]

The Clydesdale and the Heavy Horse Associations also hold matches which are fun especially the Jr. Division.

And for photos of both horse and machinery
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/vintage-ploughing.html

Great photo op's.

We try to attend one a year, they are largely social's these days for old people you don't see very often to catch up on who's still living.

Don