Preparing oak seed (acorns) for sowing
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.
So many great details of pre plastic containers and seed preparations prior to modern safety concerns. The cane hooped barrels would almost certainly have been the temporary container for the acorns but would have over wintered in some type of moist mulch or sand to protect the seed from drying out and from mice. The hand seed bed roller lying in front of the men appears to be made from cast concrete as there are metal bands at either end. Rollers on farms at this time were often made from carved granite. The troughs that the men are busily engaged in mixing the oak seed are constructed from wood with some cross pieces to retain shape and rigidity.
The two workers are preparing the oak seed for sowing on the seed beds by wetting them slightly and then coating with red lead to deter rodents and other animals from eating them. The mixture is thoroughly stirred with shovel and fork. Red lead was a common substance (lead oxide) also used in glass industry, as a protective paint for iron work and also in caulking of boat hulls. One assumes it is very harmful to health if ingested but perhaps it had a very bitter taste that may have deterred potential seed eaters. Note that conifer seed was also coated in a similar manner before sowing which also aided ease of visibility to check sowing density. The iron hooped barrel may have been the actual red lead container.
The man standing behind the galvanised metal watering can is Chalmers Thain (Snr) and behind him is a grey Ferguson 20 tractor. Can the other two workers be named?
Indeed a great image and any comments or other details very welcome.
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