Preparing seed beds in Ledmore Forest Nursery
The images are courtesy of Michael Lawrence of Bankfoot whose grandfather, Sandy Rose, was Forester and Head Forester at Ledmore Forest Nursery from Nov 1949 (when land was acquired) until his retirement in 1969. In 1966 the nearby Strathord Forest was brought under his charge. The year of the photograph is estimated to be around 1957.
This writer has to admit to not fully understanding this seed bed operation. The Ferguson 20 tractor is pulling what may be a tool with tines either side which subsoil or define the edges of the seed bed? The tool may also flatten or roll the soil surface in between. This is followed up by a worker (next to tractor but hidden) hand sowing fertiliser on to the flattened surface from an open topped carrier strapped to the front of his chest. Other workers are pushing back the ridged soil on either side of the seed bed edge with purpose made wooden bars fixed to rake handles. Not very clear but the worker next to the camera may be sowing, not fertiliser, but large broadleaved seeds such as oak onto the prepared seed bed. The next image shows the workers covering the seed bed with the pushed back soil from the edges.
Chalmers Thain (Snr) is the worker in the red pullover on the right hand side. Can any of the other workers be named? Any comments and stories of working in Ledmore Nursery would be very welcome.
Jun 2022 - Mike Lawrence has confirmed that Willie Menzies is nearest to the camera.
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Groups: Forest Nurseries, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Other Vehicles and Machines