Is that a plough or a plow? - Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster

The term “plough” is the English spelling of the term, while “plow” is a more North American version. Either way, these terms refer to the science and skill of cultivation of the soil that many take quite seriously. “Plow” will be used in this column even though, in some periods, the spelling was “plough”.

 

Big things are coming up in the Bayfield area on Aug. 15 and 16 when the Huron County Plowing Match will be held at Vermue Farms on Bayfield River Road. 

 

The concept of having a competition for plowing prowess is not a new one; in fact, such competitions in Huron had their nucleus in 1842 with the formation of the Huron District Agricultural Society. It was on Feb. 14 of that year that Dr. William “Tiger” Dunlop and William B. Rich, Esquires and both Justices of the Peace, met with several others to form a group dedicated to the fostering of top agricultural crops, superior animal-breeding techniques and admirable soil management. Because of Dunlop’s duties as the area’s MPP, he delegated his duties to the county sheriff, John MacDonald. 

 

From the Goderich Signal’s “Looking Back” section of the Dec. 19, 1918 edition, we are allowed a look at the early days of agricultural contests. The Signal article relates that a competition was held in October of 1842 with many participants coming from a “distance of forty miles of miserable roads”. Subscribers donated funds for the competition and, at the inaugural match, the total premiums (prizes) amounted to 25 pounds, 17 shillings and six pence. 

 

The following year, when the society held its main competition in Goderich on Sept. 25, the categories were horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, grains, seeds, dairy and roots. There was also a category that included cloth, flannel and blankets that had to be made on the farm from growth from that farm of the previous year. 

 

The society’s plowing match took place later. At that time, several smaller plowing matches were held throughout the district, such as the one held at the farm of Samuel Camochan in Tuckersmith Township. The winners were Jas. Broadfoot, Robt. McCartney, Jas. Lansborough, Geo. Sproat, Robt. Camochan and Wm. Lansborough. 

 

The annual Plowing Match of the Huron District Agricultural Society was held in Goderich on Oct. 31 at the farm of Matthew Black, Goderich Township. Some of the rules set out included: ground to be plowed was one third of an acre; time allowed from stake out to finish, four hours; open to horses or oxen; any member of the society, his sons or his servants were eligible; and plowing to commence at 10 a.m. sharply.

 

By 1850, plowing was no longer a part of the Huron District Agricultural Society’s agenda.

 

The implements used over 180 years ago could scarcely be recognized as plows when put beside today’s versions. For primitive plows, a farmer looked for a crook of a tree of hardwood such as oak. On the bottom of the crook, a piece of iron was attached and handles were fashioned along the upper part of this “plow”. Add in an attachment for the power source such as a horse, oxen or even another person and the rig was complete. 

 

The term “walking plow” is apt because the farmer and his trusted horse or most likely, oxen, covered the field one row at a time at a slow pace. A few years ago, a woman was encouraging her elderly father to get more exercise by walking. His reply was that he had already walked more than a lifetime’s worth behind a horse and plow. 

 

More sophisticated plows made of iron were forged by the small foundries found in many local towns and villages. These businesses made plows as well as all sorts of farm and household items. In the Aug. 25, 1853 edition of the Huron Signal from Goderich, we learn that the Goderich Foundry offered plows in addition to threshing machines, separators and stoves. As well, many blacksmiths were quite adept at creating and maintaining farm implements.

 

There were many companies in southwestern Ontario that manufactured walking plows. Some names that have come to light are Massey-Harris (Weston, Woodstock, Brantford), Cockshutt (Brantford), Joseph Fleury and Sons (Aurora), David Maxwell (St. Marys), Watsons (Ayr), and Oliver Chilled Plow Co. (Hamilton). 

 

Of particular note is the name of William Henry Verity, a young Englishman who arrived in Exeter to open a blacksmith’s shop in the north end of the village in the area once known as Francistown. He eventually opened a small foundry and manufactured reapers, mowers and the celebrated Verity plows, as well as other agricultural implements. In 1892, Verity Plow Company joined with Massey-Harris and the plant was moved to Brantford. 

 

Huron County’s own Plowmen’s Association dates back to 1924, at which time the competition was held on the farms of John Work and Harvey Bryans. Prizes for competitors in the horse-drawn plow section were $15, $12, $10 and $8 for each class with the tractor classes each receiving slightly higher prizes. 

 

Throughout the years, the science of plowing a straight furrow with a progression of improved plows has persisted with only a few years’ interruptions until the present era when dedicated plowers will once again ply their skills at the Huron County Plowmen’s Match later this month.