Lining out tree seedlings in Ledmore Nursery
The images are courtesy of Michael Lawrence of Bankfoot whose grandfather, Sandy Rose, was Forester and Head Forester at Ledmore Forest Nursery from 1950 (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 is a very good image showing in some detail the framework design of the lining out plough. The Bristol 22 tractor has hydraulic lifting arm capability and is there for able to lift the plough assembly and turn very sharply at the ends of its runs. This results in narrower unproductive head lands and longer lining out beds.
It is not clear whether this is Sandy Rose’s first or second developed model to replace the very cumbersome trailed Talbot lining out machine. The FC number is shown as (S)0783 which infers a Scottish machine numbering system. Sandy went onto develop a Mark 3 model that was even more compact than this one which still has a large diameter running wheel fitted.
Andrew Thain (Sandy’s nephew and son of Chalmers Thain) is following the plough very closely and supporting the lining out board as the plough passes to prevent it lifting up and taking all the young transplant trees with it. Note his distinctive footwear with the turned up toe area! These ‘Horse Hide’ boots were the most expensive and ultimate hill and working boot of the day with very tough waterproof leather, well finished and soles fully iron clad with dozens of ‘tackets’ and protective heel and toe strips.
This view of the lining out machine demonstrates the function of the front plough share piling the soil against the young tree roots hanging down from the clamped lining out board. The little jockey wheel set at an angle is packing the soil tightly in against the tree roots. The large plough share and the scraper piles an even layer of soil from the lining out board out towards the next line position. This is followed by the broad packing drum wheel to create a firm level platform which has a vertical edge cut by a disc cutter (hidden behind Andrew’s hands) and is the location for setting up the next row of lining out boards.
Any comments and experiences of working this system very welcome.
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