Hello Keith,
I guess you’re talking about the fellow mentioned in this thread
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=15222
William MacFarlane, village of Ardler, Welton (Weltown, Welltown, Walton) of Balbrogie (near Coupar Angus).
The Dundee Courier & Argus, Wednesday, July 30, 1879
The Agricultural Show at Perth
Mr W. Macfarlane, Ardler, who occupies Stands 160 and 169, shows a great variety of agricultural implements, amongst which are reapers, horse rakes, and drill harrows. He also exhibits a new and improved threshing machine of English style, invented and made by himself, and which is a compact and handy machine for fixed or barn use. The machinery is all enclosed, so that dust cannot get in, and farmers will find this thresher of a very suitable description. A vertical engine of 6-horse power for driving the machine is also on view, the engine and boiler being on the same base.
It looks like he may have been manufacturing some to his own design, some not to his own design, and importing some others. It’s unlikely that everything he had something to do with, and which has survived, will still be identifiable. The newspapers mention Reapers, Horse Rakes, and Drill Harrows, then there's the Threshing Machine (thrashing mill?) of his own design. I think there were catalogues around that time that had farming equipment illustrated and for sale. This sort of thing
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=zos ... &q&f=false
These sorts of agricultural implements tended to last almost forever and often ended up in some variety of agricultural museum. Collectors of such items probably do or did the rounds of the farms. You would probably need to contact someone in the area who is into old agricultural machinery. Maybe a Farming or Folk museum like these could have something in their collection. A photo may end up being better than the real thing, especially if it’s particularly large.
http://www.google.com.au/webhp?complete ... ac968940ee
He’s also mentioned in the Glasgow Herald, Monday, July 29, 1872
Stormont Union Agricultural association’s Show.
Implements. Self-delivery reaper – William M’Farlane, Welton, by Meigle, commended.
Here’s a McCormack one from 1862.
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/ful ... Bmachinery
You can currently access the 19C newspapers if you head down this track
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15443
Hope that’s useful,
Alan
