Lining out tree seedlings in Ledmore Nursery – sorting a problem
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.
It appears that the plough may have caught one of the lining out boards and caused a knock on effect throwing several boards out of their positions. Hence the skewed positions. Chalmers Thain (Snr), next to camera, has loosened the rings and now lifting the anchor pins to remove the board at his feet. The other team members down the line will work back towards the tractor resetting the boards and the few badly affected seedlings will be relined by hand and spade. Note the short board to fit in with the exact length of the lining out bed.
It looks as though there are three board filling stations on this line. Note the wooden boxes which would have contained the recently lifted seedlings. These may have actually come from another nursery such as Tulliallan or Newton according to reports as Ledmore was used primarily for lining out with less emphasis on growing large volumes of conifer seedlings in beds. This work attracted a bonus payment system depending on daily amounts lined out. Basic wages would be topped up but a total amount shared out among the team. Incidents such as this were there for not very welcome.
Interestingly in the back ground another lining out team visible and some workers as well as the grey coloured rear wheel of a Ferguson tractor,
Any more names and comments would be very welcome however.
Download Large Version (929kB)
Groups: Forest Nurseries, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Other Vehicles and Machines, Tools, equipment and clothing