Who Invented the Stump-Jump Plough?
WHO INVENTED THE STUMPJUMP PLOUGH ?
Fri 16 Mar 1934, Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 - 1954)
It is surprising how information has been lost concerning the earlier inventions of the State. It is really not definite the inventor of the reaper although Ridley has been honored by public choice. It is almost the same with the invention of the stump-jump plough. Recently a writer in the press was describing how it was made possible to grow wheat on scrub lands through the Mullenizing process, and he incidentally mentioned that this man who was described as living at Mallala had been the maker of the stump-jump plough. Such an assertion brought out a host of contradictions, and several names were mentioned as the inventors, including J. W. Stott, J. L. Mellor and H. B. Smith. Mr. Elliott Day 'hopped in' to say that mullenizing was certainly called after Mr. Mullen, but he was not a resident of Mallala, but of Wasleys, and a tribute on the Wasleys recreation ground marks his service to the country.
It was claimed that Mr. H. B. Smith built the first s.j. plough at Booleroo Centre in 1876; but later evidence makes it plain that the implement saw construction at Alma, and was made by Mr. J. W. Stott for Mr. J. Branson. It was further said that this plough was publicly exhibited before the other makers' products had been heard of. At Joubert and Twopenney's exhibition the judges were in doubt about the invention of most benefit to the colony, and got out of the matter by giving a prize to Mr. Hardy for an invention to aid wine making, and Mr. Stott a medal for the s.j. plough.
Mr. J. Stott, a son of the inventor, writing from Brinkworth, says : — The late Robert Cardwell was an early purchaser. The late Mr. Albert Molineaux were he alive, could bear out my statements, as he attended most of the shows at that time. My father gave many public and private trials of the. plough before it reached its best stage. Mr. J. P. D. Whittaker, of Dowlingville, was the first man to take the plough to work on its own hinges, as is done to-day. Mr. Mullen, the originator of scrub cutting under his name, bought his first plough from Mr. Stott.
In the seventies Mr. Stott registered the plough, which at that time cost 20/. He registered it for two years, during which time many improvements were made. Another invention that Mr. Stott brought out— the choke cutter right across the comb of the stripper — Was invented by a Mr. Taylor of near Carrieton, and was brought under notice by Mr. Fairbairn of Brighton, That invention is being used now on some harvesters. The false comb is an invention of Mr. Stott's grandfather, who had a blacksmith's business three miles north of Templers, in the very early sixties. It was fitted to a stripper that was made in his shop, all the timber in it having been grown on the farm. It was after the old Adamson pattern,-with outside gearing. Mr. Stott concluded by saying that it was surprising that there were not members of the public still alive who had heard of 'Stump-jump Stott' at the exhibitions. Recently the 'Horsham Times' (Victoria) gave the credit of the stump jump plough to Mr. Robert Shapland, a photographer of Horsham, but reading the records Mr. Stott had solid grounds for his claim as the inventor..
FARMING ON SCRUB LANDS, OR MULLENISING.
Sat 8 Nov 1879, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir— During the last two or three years a large quantity of scrub or mallee country has been taken up by the farmers from the Government, mostly at £1 an acre, and again under the scrub lands clauses, in 3,000-acre blocks, or smaller, at a rental of 10s. per square mile per year, with twenty years to purchase at 20s. an acre. The system of cultivation on some of these selections on the Peninsula, in the Dalkey Scrub and elsewhere, is such as likely to cause from its success during this and last year a great revolution in the mode of cultivation of such lands for the future. This mode has assumed a distinct form, under the head or name of 'mullenising,' and its history is as follows: — Some two or three years ago a settler named Mullen, in Mudla Wirra, near Wasleys, wanted to get a return from his scrub lands without resorting to the orthodox manner of grubbing out the roots of the mallee, so he simply cut down the scrub and allowed the wood to dry ; then he burnt it all off with other rubbish, and afterwards sowed the corn; and with strong harrows, with the tines slanting backwards, went over the ground once or twice. Since then several selectors of scrub lands have done the same, and the system is now known as 'mullenising,' and any person visiting some of the farms in the Dalkey Scrub and the scrub lands on the Peninsula, near Maitland and other places, would be astonished at the splendid appearance of the 'mullenised' , crops on several farms in the Dalkey Scrub, which I visited last week ; the crops are so even and regular as to present an appearance of the best tillage. Since this mode of cultivation has been adopted, many improvements have been made in the implements used to put in the crop. Mr. J. Stott, of Alma, produced a plough of four and five furrows called a jumping plough, or mullenised plough, which is so set that on coming upon a stump the plough rides over it, then falls into the ground again, while the others not meeting any obstruction continue the furrow. Mr. Lawrie, of Dalkey, made last year an implement which answers exceedingly well, and was used in putting in the crops mentioned in the Dalkey Scrub. It consists of a stout bar of iron in front, to which is attached five, seven, or nine posts, with one large tine in each post. There is a hole in the point of the tine to which is fastened by a link a piece of 4-inch tire iron bent and made to a point. This makes a furrow in the ground some three or four inches deep, and about the same width as a doublefurrow plough would make. The corn is either sown before these drills are made or after; then either strong harrows or a Y-shaped instrument with heavy tines is used to cross the land. The tines in all cases are pointed backward, so as to go over the stumps, and are found to answer well. Certainly to have a quick return this is not a bad system in a fair average wet season. I saw crops on the Dalkey last week which had been mullenised for two and three years, and the result to all appearance is very striking — such a splendid promise; the wheat standing over four feet, and well out in ear. I would suggest the Government be advised to withhold parting with the scrub lands under the scrub lands clauses, viz., 20 years' purchase at 20s. an acre, with a peppercorn rental, as without doubt there will be a great demand for scrub lands in a short time, when the above facts are widely known, —I am, &c. T. OLIVER JONES. Gawler,
November 3. P.S.— After the land has been cropped two or three times by 'mullenising,' and the stubble burnt off, it is said that the stumps remaining in the ground die, and are much more easily removed. In many instances the mullenised plough and other instruments turn up hundreds of them.— T. O.J.
J. W. STOTT, ALMA
respectfully intimates that he is prepared to RECEIVE ORDERS for his PRIZE REAPERS, WAGONS, Ploughs, Scarifiers, Harrows, and also his five furrowed (or stump-jumping) Plough.
Buggies, Spring-Carte, &c., made on the shortest notice and on reasonable terms.
The Dowlingville Stump Plough Trial.
Tue 17 Feb 1880, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)
To the Editor of the T. P. Advertiser.
Si r.—I have had my attention called to some very impertinent remarks made by your Dowlingville correspondent about the plough trial, and I must say that I think him more capable of judging a sausage machine than a plough. If he wants a public trial let him stake as much money as I have wasted, say, £20, and I will compete with pleasure. Yours, &c.,
Dowlingville, Feb. 10.
G. WHITTAKER.
Thu 26 Feb 1880, Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)
Those implements which commanded the most notice were, both in point of workmanship and material, well worthy of the place of honour which they occupied. With perhaps one exception then was nothing brought forward amongst the implements to command very special attention on the score of novelty, or as supplying any want that has not been hitherto filled up. The exception we refer to is a new implement made by Mr. J. W. Stott for ploughing in mallee land where stumps have not been removed. In front of each of the coulters of this plough, which, is a "three-furrow," there are light wheels almost as thin as saws. The bar to which each of the mouldboards is attached rises and falls independently of the others. It is said by the maker that when a stump is touched the wheel rises over it, and in doing so frees its particular coulter out of the ground, while the others not so hindered still remain at work. The implement was well spoken of by the Judges. It seems likely to provide a want that has long been felt, but it will require a more ample trial than they have yet seen to enable them to come to a conclusion as to its merits.
Dowlingville. March 5th.
Tue 9 Mar 1880, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)
A very heavy storm passed over a portion of this district on the 25th February, and a regular downpour of rain fell, softening the ground for ploughing, fining a great many tasks, and making the young grass grow beautifully.
I am very sorry that Mr. G. Wittaker thought that my remarks in reference to his stump-plough were impertinent. I can assure him, I. never meant to be insulting, am also sorry that he has lost so much in trying to make a stump-plough. I hope he will profit by his experience and exercise a little more care. It has been raining steadily nearly all day to-day.
TRIAL OF STUMP-JUMPING PLOUGHS.
Thu 23 Sep 1880, The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889)
From our own Correspondent. Ardrossan, September 22.
About one thousand persons attended the stump-jumping ploughing match, held this morning on Mr. Freeman's farm, about five miles from Ardrossan. Ten ploughs started but after a few rounds five had to withdraw from various causes, arising from partial and total breakdowns. Mr. G. P. Whittaker, machinist, of Dowlingville, took the first prize of £20 with a double furrow plough, and also the third prize of £5 for a triple furrow plough. Mr. C. H. Smith, machinist, of Ardrossan, took the second prize of £10 for a triple furrow plough. The work done by these several ploughs astonished and pleased almost every one who saw them working. Altogether the match is considered a great success. The people gathered from all parts of the Peninsula and there were many present from the North and from Adelaide. This match was considered such a novelty, and of such importance to the farming community and others, that several hundred ladies attended.
PLOUGHING MATCH AT ARDROSSAN.
Thu 23 Sep 1880, Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)
Ardrossan, September 23.
A well-attended stump-jump ploughing-match took place yesterday. A dinner was held at Smith's Hotel last night, at which opinions were expressed that the success of stump ploughs opened a new era to agriculturists; also, that the Government should give a bonus to the original inventor, who is said to be Mr. R. B. Smith, of Arthurton. The Hon. T. Hogarth presided.
Fri 24 Sep 1880, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)
THE great trouble with farmers who have taken up scrub land has been that it is exceedingly expensive to clear, and except where a market for the wood is close at hand, the expense of catting down the mallee and grabbing up the stamps is such that it makes scrub land dear almost at any price, though as a rule, when it is once clear the crops are as good, and often better than they are in country that has been less thickly timbered, for the reason above mentioned a considerable quantity of the mallee country in the colony, and in the Yorke's Peninsula district especially, has remained unselected, and some of it, we believe, unsurveyed. Anyone therefore who can put the farmer in the way of effectually dealing- with this class of land so as to be able to sow and reap his crops without going to the trouble of having to clear it of stumps, should be regarded as a public benefactor. We believe the idea of constructing a stump-jumping plough, for the purpose of ploughing scrub land that had only the top growth of timber removed from it occurred to Mr. R. B. Smith, of Kalkabury, some years ago, and if we remember rightly he exhibited a plough constructed on the required principle, at one of the shows in this district in 1876. For some reason the idea was allowed to remain dormant for sometime, but during the last year or two, many farmers having taken up scrub land, the question of how to ,till it effectively at the least possible expense has forced itself on their attention, and implement makers on various parts of the Peninsula (and in other places) have given the matter some attention. Among those who have taken the matter earnestly in hand, we may mention Mr. G. H. Smith, of Ardrossan and Kalkabury, Mr. Whittaker, of Dowlingville, and Mr. Stott of Alma Plains. These gentlemen have constructed ploughs on a shifting principle, so that when the coulter meets with an obstruction it is lifted up by a lever and thrown over the obstruction instead of sticking into it. The Ardrossan people feeling that it would be of considerable benefit to the farmers in their district if it could be proved that these ploughs could do their work efficiently, determined to offer liberal prizes, that would, they hoped, result in bringing forward some good implements at their ploughing match, and the trial made on Wednesday was far from disappointing. Indeed it was regarded by many of the farmers who saw the ploughs at work as highly satisfactory, and as an evidence of their belief that it is practicable to cultivate land without grubbing the stumps, many of them gave orders for ploughs on the ground. There can be little doubt that these ploughs will be of great assistance to the farmers, and consequently we may expect that they will come into pretty general use wherever the farmers have scrub land to contend with. To a very large extent these ploughs will also act as grubbers, for by coming into contact with the stumps year after, year the stumps will be loosened and some of them chipped off, so that they will be constantly getting smaller in size and less in quantity, while the burning of the stubble year after year will have the effect of checking any attempts at new growth, and in the course of a few years the scrub land will probably become as clear of stumps as if it had been properly grubbed. Farmers will also find a scrub roller, of. the kind ; made by Mr. Freeman, and to which we make reference in another column, of great assistance in breaking down the mallee. It performs its work in a very satisfactory manner, and will be a very valuable help to those engaged in scrub land farming. Taking it altogether we think the Ardrossan people deserve the thanks of the public for the prominence which they have given to this matter, and we heartily congratulate them on the success of their ploughing match on Wednesday.
STUMP-JUMPING PLOUGH MATCH.
Sat 25 Sep 1880, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)
Ou Wednesday, Sept. 22, a match of Stump Jumping Ploughs took place at Mr J. G. W. Freeman's farm, about four and a half miles to the westward of township of Ardrossan....
STUMP-JUMPING PLOUGH MATCH.
Sat 25 Sep 1880, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)
The trial of stump-jumping ploughs, which may be said to be the inauguration of another branch of agriculture, inasmuch as it will hold out great inducements to tillers of the soil to take up and cultivate what has hitherto been considered almost useless land, took place on Wednesday, September 22, on Mr. G. W. Freeman's selection, about six miles from Ardrossan.
STUMP-JUMPING PLOUGH MATCH.
Sat 25 Sep 1880, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)
The trial of stump-jumping ploughs, which may be said to be the inauguration of another branch of agriculture, inasmuch as it will hold out great inducements to tillers of the soil to take up and cultivate what has hitherto been considered almost useless land, took place on Wednesday, September 22, on Mr. G. W. Freeman's selection, about six miles from Ardrossan. To those who perhaps may not understand the modus operandi of these stump jumping ploughs it may be as well to mention that the land is first of all prepared so as to bring the stumps on a level with the soil, and the ploughs are so constructed that immediately on the coulter, either revolving or reversed, coming in contact with a stump it goes round or glides over the obstruction. Yesterday ten of these stump-jumpers competed, comprising double, treble, and five furrowed ploughs. As regards the work done it is only justice to the makers to say that with one exception the ploughs did all that was required of them. The Judges, however, were unanimous in their opinion that a double-furrow plough, manufactured by Mr. G. P. Whitaker, of Dowlingville, did its work best and in the most satisfactory manner, and awarded him the first prize of £20. This plough is made with the ordinary coulter reversed, otherwise in every other respect it is similar to an ordinary double-furrow plough. The plough was worked with three horses. The second prize was awarded to Mr. C. H. Smith, of Ardrossan, who competed with a treble-furrowed plough constructed on the same principle as the double furrow, and worked with four horses. The third prize was taken by Mr. J. Phelps with a treble-furrowed plough, also constructed by Mr. Whitaker. All the other ploughs that competed appeared to answer the purpose for which they were meant, and most noticeable amongst them was a fivefurrowed plough belonging to Mr. F. W. Cottrell, and manufactured by Mr. J. Murdock, of Maitland. Taking it as a whole the trial may be said to have been most successful in every way, and very great credit is due to the committee and their indefatigable Secretary (Mr. C. Davis) for the way in which the arrangements were carried out. It was computed that fully 1,000 persons were present, coming from all parts of the Peninsula. The popular host of the Ardrossan Hotel, Mr. W. W. Smith, had a booth on the ground. The Wesleyans had a booth and dispersed savoury viands. They were deservedly well patronised, and their takings amounted to somewhere about £14— not so bad in a scrub country. Altogether it may be said to have been a glorious day for the cockies. The Judges were Messrs. J. Smith, J.P., T. Bowman, R. Triplett, J. Cowled, and Young.
THE DINNER
was held at Host Smith's Ardrossan Hotel, and certainly could hardly be surpassed in Adelaide for style and bill of fare provided. Mr. T. Hogarth presided. After the usual loyal toasts had been drunk and responded to, Mr. A. J. Packer proposed The Parliament of South Australia. He said that he considered that the present Parliament was a very fair specimen, and that very little fault could be found with them. (Cheers ) Mr. J. Henderson, in responding, said that he thought the three members for the Peninsula — Messrs. Ross, Furner, and Hare — were well fitted to fill the position they held ; more particularly Messrs. Ross and Furner, who had done more for their constituency than any other members in the colony. (Cheers.) Mr. C. A. Moody, in proposing the Ministry, said he thought that as a whole they would bear comparison with any Ministry in the colonies. He hoped they would still retain their position at the forthcoming election (Cheers ) Mr. J. Sjuth, J P., responded for the Ministry. He fully endorsed Mr. Moody's remarks. Mr. Lousada, in proposing ''The Agricultural, Pastoral, and Mining Pursuits,' said that quite a new era had been opened to the colony that day by the success of the plough they had seen working. A great difficulty had been overcome, and, no doubt, all the scrubland, not only about Ardrossan, but of the whole colony, would shortly be under cultivation. After touching lightly on the pastoral pursuits, he said that as regards mineral pursuits lie was glad to find that, generally speaking, a more healthy tone pervaded the copper market, and that, in his opinion, the price was bound to rise again. (Cheers.) Mr. G. W. Freeman, in returning thanks, fully endorsed Mr. Loosada's remarks. Nothing like what they had seen that day had ever been witnessed in the colony before. The pastoral interests were flourishing, and be hoped that the mining interests would improve. The prizes were then distributed.
Mr. G. P. Whitaker, first prizetaker, said that it was the first public money he had ever received, and he hoped to be able in time to produce a still better article. (Cheers )
Second prize, Mr. C. H. Smith, who briefly returned thanks.
Third prize, Mr. J. Phelps's plough, manufactured by Whitaker.
Mr. Phelps proposed the health of 'The Successful Competitors.' He hoped the successful ones that day would try again. Mr. Whitaker, in responding, said that he hoped to be able to carry off first prize in the next match, wherever it was held. He proposed the health of 'The Unsuccessful Competitors.' Mr. A. J. Packer, for Mr. Ramsay, said that they partly owed their non-success that day to an accident, and that in consequence they were unable to show what their plough could do. He said that a new era had been opened to them that day. He did not altogether agree as to the squatters being the pioneers of the colony, and instanced the Murray Flats as being first tenanted by farmers. He also thought that the Peninsula instead of being a vast scrub would be turned into a corn-field. If the Government only gave them better shipping facilities they might compete with the whole world. Mr. R. B. Smith claimed to be the first inventor of the stump plough, and in support read a paragraph which appeared in the Advertiser in 1877 relating to some work done by a stump jump plough made by the speaker. Mr. Moody said that if Mr. Smith was — and he believed that he was— the inventor of the stump jump plough, then he deserved a bonus from the Government. He did not see why a bonus should not be given for a plough of that description that answered the purpose as well as to the best reaper and bidder, or any other class of agricultural implement. (Cheers ) Mr. T. Hooahth, in proposing ' The Judges,' said that they had intended to give a prize for rolling, but were unable to do so. He fully endorsed the remarks of the Vice-Chairman (Mr. Packer) with regard to the success of the day. The Judges had given their decisions fairly and with impartiality. He congratulated them on having fulfilled their arduous duties to successfully. (Cheers.) Mr. Cowled, in returning thanks for the Judges, said that they had found it somewhat a difficult matter to adjudicate that day, as it was a new matter. He hoped the Judges had given satisfaction; at any rate, they had done their best. (Cheers.) The Chairman said he had much pleasure in moving a comprehensive vote of thanks to all concerned who assisted in getting up the match. He coupled with the toast the name of Mr. Freeman, and thanked him for his kindness in granting the use of his land. He thought they could not have found a more suitable piece in the hundred. (Cheers.) He also begged to move a vote of thanks to their energetic Secretary (Mr. C. Davis). He hoped that they would have a Show as well as a ploughing match next year. (Cheers.) Mr. C. Davis, who was loudly cheered on rising, said he thanked them heartily for proposing his health. He said that with the efficient committee he had to work with he had really had very little trouble. He should always be very glad to assist in any public matters like the present. (Cheers.) The toasts of 'The Press,' 'Visitors,' 'Ladies,' and 'Host and Hostess' were duly given and responded to. Messrs. Moody, Hogarth, West, Loosada, Davis, Jones, and other gentlemen enlivened the proceedings with some excellent singing. Festivities in the shape of a dinner and a bail were also held at Mr. P. Francis's Royal Hotel. On the whole the proceedings of the day were very orderly, and the arrangements excellently carried out by the Committee of Management.
MULLENIZING IMPLEMENTS. TO THE EDITOR.
Sat 16 Oct 1880, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)
Sir—In your last week's paper was published a report of the trial of mullenizing implements at Dalkey, and in the report of the trial it states that the plough was first exhibited by the inventor, Mr. R. B. Smith, then of Kalkabury, in 1876, at a show on Yorke's Peninsula. You will find by referring to your publications of the week ending June 12,1875, that I exhibited a model in Adelaide of a single-acting ploughing machine of more than two furrows, which is now known as the stump-jump plough. If Mr. Smith is the inventor of the plough he is credited with, why did he not make his invention known to me or the public at the time he saw, or might have seen, the account of the model I showed you, which was described in various ways by the writers of the papers that published the invention, namely, Register, Evening Journal, Observer, Advertiser, Express, Chronicle, and Farmers' Weekly Messenger? I think you will find in the same papers the following advertisement " Wanted, money to introduce a laboursaving plough; heavy interest to a person willing to take part of the risk of its being a success. It will show a saving of over cent, per cent, of manual labour. R. Shapland, 2, Claraterrace, Franklin-street." The time at which Mr. Smith came forward with his ought to be sufficient to show that he saw through my invention, and saw how I was placed; but instead of answering my advertisement and joining me in it, he took it upon himself to adopt it and sail it as his own invention, and I being at the other end of this continent at the time his claim was not disputed until I came back. There are several details connected with the frame, &c„ of the present plough that do not correspond with the model I exhibited, but its object and principle are the same, namely, that each plough could rise of itself independently of the others when coming in contact with stones or other obstructions, or at the will of the ploughman. I thick I stated to all the gentlemen who examined it in my presence (and I remember the words of Mr. Stow on the occasion) that the model then before them was not a true model of the plough I should make if I went into the making, as there were some things connected with it that I did not care to run the risk of losing, which I was afraid I should do if I exhibited it, and afterwards that I could not make the necessary arrangements for the money. When I made the above remarks to Mr. Stow be opened out rather suddenly with "What's the use of your bringing a thing here you say yourself you would not adopt?" I then stated that this plough is a good and a complete machine in itself, but I have another differing in frame, &c. The invention is the same, and I put too much value on it to exhibit publicly unless I was in a position to protect and enter into the manufacturing properly. I have made three models, each differing in frame, &c., but as inventions they are the same.
I showed two of my models to Mr. Cains, our American friend, who was also in the burning match at Gawler last December. I asked him what he thought the patent right of such an invention would be worth in America. He said he thought it would readily realize £10,000. He strongly advised me not to waste more time in this hole, but go to America, where they have learned the value of inventors.
I am, Sir, sc..
ROBERT SHAPLAND.
STUMP-JUMPING IMPLEMENTS, PLOUGHS, AND SCARIFIERS.
Mon 13 Jun 1881, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir— One of the greatest boons conferred on this country is Mr. R. B. Smith's stump-jumping implements, as above. I call them Smith's because he is the inventor of them. Their adaptation and usefulness is simply marvellous; there are a great number of them now at work in this district, and the way they do their work astonishes every one that sees them. The mallee scrub is first cleared off the land by being chopped down level with the surface, or being rolled down by a heavy roller and then burned, and then either plough or scarifier will work admirably, no matter how many stumps or stones; and ask who you will as to the result, they will tell you that their crops are better on the land with all the stumps in than any of their plain lands will grow. Several of the farmers are getting these implements for stony ground, for they work as well among stones as stumps. The result of this invention will be that an immense area of mallee scrub land will be purchased and brought under cultivation in a very few years that otherwise would have been quite useless. I think that Sir Henry Ayers and Mr. R. D. Ross will remember that five years since Mr. Smith exhibited his plough at the Moonta Show. I don't know whether it created a favourable impression on the minds of those gentlemen or not, but I do know that many less practical men than the two gentlemen referred to simply laughed at Smith and called him a fool for his pains; but now the ploughs are being manufactured and advertised everywhere, and as rapidly purchased. It is very much to be regretted that Mr. R. B. Smith, of Kalkabury, should , through circumstances which he could not control, have to share the fate of most inventors. After spending his money and time about so useful an implement and bringing it to such perfection, the advantage of the invention has fallen out of his power, and others are reaping the benefit of it. Such being the case, the benefit being obtained by the general public, from the fact that, being no patent, there is no restriction or protection fee, and the Treasury will reap the advantage in the sale of thousands of acres of land that would not otherwise sell at any price, I hope, Sir, that after the fullest enquiries have been made as to the usefulness of these implements, the Government will do something that will suitably recognise and reward the genius of the man whose invention will be only second in usefulness to the Ridley Reaper. I trust that this letter may be the means of many more testify ing to the usefulness of the stump-jumping ploughs, scarifiers, and harrows. I am, Sir, &c., Kadina. JOHN J. CHRISTMAS.
WHO INVENTED THE STUMPJUMP PLOUGH ?
Fri 16 Mar 1934, Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 - 1954)
It is surprising how information has been lost concerning the earlier inventions of the State. It is really not definite the inventor of the reaper although Ridley has been honored by public choice. It is almost the same with the invention of the stump-jump plough. Recently a writer in the press was describing how it was made possible to grow wheat on scrub lands through the Mullenizing process, and he incidentally mentioned that this man who was described as living at Mallala had been the maker of the stump-jump plough. Such an assertion brought out a host of contradictions, and several names were mentioned as the inventors, including J. W. Stott, J. L. Mellor and H. B. Smith. Mr. Elliott Day 'hopped in' to say that mullenizing was certainly called after Mr. Mullen, but he was not a resident of Mallala, but of Wasleys, and a tribute on the Wasleys recreation ground marks his service to the country.
It was claimed that Mr. H. B. Smith built the first s.j. plough at Booleroo Centre in 1876; but later evidence makes it plain that the implement saw construction at Alma, and was made by Mr. J. W. Stott for Mr. J. Branson. It was further said that this plough was publicly exhibited before the other makers' products had been heard of. At Joubert and Twopenney's exhibition the judges were in doubt about the invention of most benefit to the colony, and got out of the matter by giving a prize to Mr. Hardy for an invention to aid wine making, and Mr. Stott a medal for the s.j. plough.
Mr. J. Stott, a son of the inventor, writing from Brinkworth, says : — The late Robert Cardwell was an early purchaser. The late Mr. Albert Molineaux were he alive, could bear out my statements, as he attended most of the shows at that time. My father gave many public and private trials of the. plough before it reached its best stage. Mr. J. P. D. Whittaker, of Dowlingville, was the first man to take the plough to work on its own hinges, as is done to-day. Mr. Mullen, the originator of scrub cutting under his name, bought his first plough from Mr. Stott.
In the seventies Mr. Stott registered the plough, which at that time cost 20/. He registered it for two years, during which time many improvements were made. Another invention that Mr. Stott brought out— the choke cutter right across the comb of the stripper — Was invented by a Mr. Taylor of near Carrieton, and was brought under notice by Mr. Fairbairn of Brighton, That invention is being used now on some harvesters. The false comb is an invention of Mr. Stott's grandfather, who had a blacksmith's business three miles north of Templers, in the very early sixties. It was fitted to a stripper that was made in his shop, all the timber in it having been grown on the farm. It was after the old Adamson pattern,-with outside gearing. Mr. Stott concluded by saying that it was surprising that there were not members of the public still alive who had heard of 'Stump-jump Stott' at the exhibitions. Recently the 'Horsham Times' (Victoria) gave the credit of the stump jump plough to Mr. Robert Shapland, a photographer of Horsham, but reading the records Mr. Stott had solid grounds for his claim as the inventor..
STUMP-JUMP PLOUGH
Thu 29 Mar 1934, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)
MR. STOTT'S CLAIM To the Editor Sir — I have delayed answering some of the correspondents in reference to the above, so as to get as much as possible to put in a condensed form. Be James Whelan's letter (5/3/34), R. B. Smith may be an inventor of the S J. plough, but Stott's plough was altogether different; also, if R. B. Smith had a business at Arthurton. why did G. P. D. Whittaker write to my late father for permission to make S.J. ploughs, when Arthurton was about 10 miles from Dowlingville? Also. R. B. Smith's plough was a single furrow, and never brought to practical use. My answer to M. M. Johnson' is the same as to Mr. Whelan re Whittaker. Mr. G. H. Dunn, of Dunreath. Tanworth, N.S.W.. is altogether at sea. Mullins did not invent the S.J. plough. To Mr. W. J. Hayward I would say that W. H. May did not invent the bridles on the plough. I think it was Mellor Bros, (late of Adelaide). W. H. May invented the roller on the nose of the beam, doing away with shackles. I have had letters from Mr. Gilbert Ferguson, who had a plough from us in 1881. It was sent by boat to Melbourne, thence 158 miles to Boort. This was the first S J. plough in Victoria, and was given a trial in that district. Later we sent other ploughs over. In those days Victoria had a 25 per cent, duty on them but, by taking the bodies off, they got in for 12i per cent. One writer states that Smith issued letters granting permission to makers of ploughs to make them. Your correspondent is talking at random. No such thing was done by Smith.
I am. Sir. &c.. JAMES STOTT.
STUMP-JUMPING PLOUGH. HOW IT ORIGINATED.
Wed 4 Apr 1934, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)
To the Editor.
I am, Sir, &c., W. R. WHITTAKER, Port Broughton.
Sir—I was glad to see Mr. J. Stott has taken the matter up, as I think he is one of the few who know about the beginning of the stump-jumping plough. Years ago he wanted me to write, pointing out the improvements my brother, the late G. P. D. Whittaker, made. There were the three principal improvements. Each plough jumped off separate hinges (known as the box head piece). He, with Mr. J. Philps, now of Victoria, who was then an apprentice, applied for and was granted a patent for a draft or bridle for stumpjumping ploughs. It was also my brother who found out where to place the share under the hinges to get the correct jump. This he proved by his taking first prizes at Ardrossan Maitland, Stansbury, and other centres. The ploughmen who used to work the ploughs were the late Mr. John Philps (champion ploughman) and my brother, the late Mr. J. T. Whittaker. The first stump-jumping plough was a plough body fixed on to a round bar of iron running through two pieces of stringy bark. The first that I saw was one made by Mr. Stotts father. The plough was all on one beam or hinge.—
STUMP JUMPING PLOUGH
Sat 17 Dec 1934, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)
FIRST USE IN S.A. To the Editor
JAMES STOTT, Brinkworth.
Sir—Re stump jumping ploughs, Mr. J. W. Stott, of Alma,, made the first that was put to practical use about 1878 or 1879, and registered it for two years. It was a very crude affair of four furrows. Mr. Jeremiah Branson had the first one, and he gave the idea to my late father, who worked it out. The late Mr. Robert Caldwell had one of the ploughs with some of his ideas on it. At that time no other maker was known. G. P. D. Whittaker, of Dowlingville, wrote to ask my father for permission to make them, and to him is the credit for the best improvement at that time—each plough working on its own hinge or pin. J. W. Stott established at Joubert & Twopenny's exhibition, and the "Observer" of August 20, 1881, recorded that J. W. Stott. of Alma, exhibited one fourfurrow PJ. plough, which the judges said was "Worthy of first order of merit." "The Observer" of September 21 188,. stated that J. W. Stott was awarded a special prize. No other exhibitor at S.J. ploughs was there. J. W. Stott was a regular exhibitor at the old showground for years, also a member of the committee. Just fifty years ago he had an SJ. plough at the Calcutta Inhibition, and I have the certificate he received in my possession. He showed the plough and won first prizes at shows at Adelaide, Tarlee, Orroroo, Quorn, Port Germein, Laura, Willowie, Kadina, Minlaton, Paskeville, Balaklava, Snowtown and Warracknabeal (Vic). He was the first to introduce the plough into Victoria, where he and Mellor Bros, jointly patented it. Re the bridle. I believe Mellor Bros, brought out that idea. The first to put in a crop was Mr. Mullins. of Wasleys, who used a forked log, with tines bent backwards to slide over the stumps. He had his first plough from J. W. Stott while the late Professor Custance was at Roseworthy College. The suggestion that the first plough was made at Booleroo Centre has no foundation.—l am. Sir &c.
STUMP JUMPING PLOUGHS INVENTION AND IMPROVEMENTS
Sat 4 Jul 1936, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)
To the Editor
Sir—'Replying to Mr. Tilbrook, of Yacka, I state that Mr. Mullins, of Wasleys, introduced the idea of cutting down the mallee level with the ground. Into a heavy forked log he drove three-quarter or seven-eighth tines, bent backwards to slide over the stumps. He had his first plough from my late father, J. W. Stott, of Alma, while Professor Custance was at Roseworthy College. The first ploughs were made with the colters turned back to the point of the share; they collected sticks, &c. J. W. Stott then put on revolving colters. That was on the first ploughs made, but the plough Mr Mullins had was in the third or fourth and best stage. Re Mr. J. Bateman's statement that Clarence Smith was the inventor of the stump jumping plough, I do not know where he (and others a!so) get that information from. Clarence Smith did not come in until years after my father (who had it registered for two years) brought it out. It was a very crude one, and was not made in sufficient quantities to pay. G. W. D. Whittaker first made the best alteration, viz., each plough's body beam working on its own pivot. Clarence Smith came in afterwards, and credit is due to him for the improvements he effected. Unfortunately I have no means of ascertaining the dates of my father's first ploughs made. But one was at Joubert and Twopeny's exhibition and was awarded a certificate.
l am. Sir. &c.. JAMES STOTT. Brinkworth.
First Stump-Jump Plough Built is S.A
News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Wednesday 31 December 1947, page 5
HERE is more than one Australian claimant for the honor of having invented the stump-jump plough, now going into production in America, but it seems certain it was first made in South Australia.
Two brothers--Messrs. R. B. and C. H. Smith, of Yorke Peninsula-are generally regarded as the men who invented and perfectcd the plough. Mr. R. B. Smith's implement, the "Vixen," made in June, 1876, was the pioneer.
He registered his invention on February 19, 1877.
This secured him for 12 months, but because of the difficulties and expenses of taking out patents under the old Act, he did not apply for one.
Messrs. J. W. Stott, of Alma, a Mr. Shapland, and Messrs. Martin and Co., of Gawler, also made claims to the invention,
BITTER LETTER Mr. R B. Smith, in a bitter letter after the stump-jump plough had proved one of the greatest contributions to agriculture in Australia, wrote:
"My invention has cost me some money and anxiety, and has condemned by little ones to all the miseries of poverty and banishment in the bush, whereas if I had been a successful cricketer, a good bowler, or a rifle shooter with pluck, a Blondin, or an acrobat, I and mine would have escaped these ills."
In 1882, however, the South Australian Government voted him £500. His brother, Mr. C. H. Smith, of Ardrossan, went on improving the stump-jump.
Mr. Victor McKay, of H. V. McKay-Massey Harris, said no one held the patent for the stump-jump today. Patents expired after 16 years, and it was more than 50 years since the manufacture of stump-jumps in quantity had begun here.
Richard Smith And His Stump Jumping Plough
Thu 22 Jan 1948, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)
By Dudley Coleman
It was reported recently that United States implement makers had 'discovered' the stumpjumping plough — an implement which has been in use on Australian farms for 70 years. South Australian agriculture gamed a new momentum following the appearance of the stumpjumping plough; and this article recalls many long - forgotten details about the inventor, Richard Bowyer Smith, and his 'new-fangled contraption.'
I DON'T care what you say or think, I still firmly believe that my plough will open up a new agricultural era in South Australia.' The speaker — he was Richard Bowyer Smith, the inventor of the Stump-jumping plough — paused and stood waiting for the jibes which, it Seemed, were inevitable on this hot and dusty day in November, 1876.
AROUND him was a circle of farmers, many openly derisive and a few even antagonistic. They had come into Moonta for the annual show, and after tiring of the ring events and satisfying themselves that toothing could be more perfect than the latest model of the Ridley stripper, had strolled over to have a look' at Smith's 'new fangled contraption.'
A black-beared fellow from the rear of the crowd shouted contemptuously, 'You're either A fool or a lunatic, Dick Smith. A plough's got to go in hard and stay in unless you only Want to tickle the ground.'
There were some who based their judgment on Smith's threadbare clothes. They did not realise that in pursuit of his ideal the man had sacrificed everything he had, even the comfort of his family. His critics wore their Sunday best, but his money — and his heart — 'were in his plough. Another said with an air of finality, 'It might be alright for a slovenly farmer, but fancy seeding while stumps are still in the ground. I believe in getting the land clear first, even if it does take a few years. But nothing said on that Moonta Show day, or in the months that followed, ever weakened the quiet determination of Richard Bowyer Smith, even though his brother Clarence Herbert Smith— who not long after at Ardrossan helped him build dozens of stump- jumping ploughs for pioneer farmers — was among those who predicted failure.
How right Richard Smith was history has proved. Thousands of acres of country, not only in South Australia, but throughout the Commonwealth, which might still have been virgin bush are now under cultivation because of the stump-jumping plough. The principle has been extended to almost every type of implement used for tilling the soil in Australia.
The plough displayed by Smith at Moonta could cut only one furrow, but now there is a 24 furrow heavy disc plough with each disc jumping independently whenever it meets an obstruction. Smith is now paired with John Ridley — who invented his world-famous stripper in 1843 — whenever people talk of the two greatest benefactors to agriculture in South Australia. BEFORE 1867, the land cultivated in South Australia consisted of open plains or slopes lightly covered with timber. The increasing demand for wheat farms led to a suggestion that mallee lands should be thrown open for wheat farming. Something like 3,000,000 acres of this scrub land was then offered to settlers, but it could not be cultivated profitably owing to the expense of clearing and grubbing the dense growth.
At first, the land was offered at £1 an acre, but no bids were forthcoming. About the middle of 1867, slightly more than 11,000 acres in the Hundreds of Balaklava and Monarto were leased at an average rental of 3d. an acre, but of this area 6,700 acres were forfeited. The rental dropped to a penny an acre and in the 11 years to the end of 1877, some 135,000 acres were taken up. Yet, even at this low rental, more than two-fifths of the total area— nearly 60,000 acres — was forfeited, the farmers finding it a virtual impossibility to comply with the conditions.
The cost of clearing scrub by grubbing varied from £2 to £7 an acre and as good, open land could still be purchased for less than the cost of clearing the scrub, it was soon evident that the cultivation of scrub land would not be a profitable undertaking.
THE Government decided to make wheat-growing in scrub country a more attractive undertaking. The annual rental became 10/- a square mile with right of pur-chase at £1 an acre, each lessee being entitled to hold 3,200 acres.
From January 1, 1878, to September 30, 1881, more than half a million acres were taken up. Strangely, the rent became 5¾d. an acre. The cause of this was not the more liberal land laws, but the stump jumping plough.
Though farmers jeered at Smith at the Moonta Show, they were not slow in realising that he had the answer to their problem, and swallowing their pride, they allowed themselves to be converted. In fact, many went so far as to suggest that if the Government granted Smith an area of land in recognition of his invention, they would subscribe enough money to enable him to place it under cultivation.
Before that, one-third of the whole of South Australia— chiefly land within 120 miles of the coast— was under dense scrub. Now it was possible to bring scrub land into production at almost the same cost as cleared land. Earlier, an Irishman named Mullen of Wasleys, had devised a heavy roller which saved the labor of cutting the scrub by hand, and the complete process came to be known as 'mullenising.'
The late 1920's saw a slowing down in the expansion of farming areas of the State, but by this time nearly 3,000,000 acres were under cultivation for wheat, the most important extensions being in the former scrub country of Yorke Peninsula and the Murray Mallee.
It was into this scrub country that Smith went as a farmer. He took up land at Kalkabury, north of Maitland, on Yorke Peninsula, and in after years, writing to a friend, he said:— 'What caused me to think of such a plough was that I went into the scrub on purpose to subdue it. I tried hard to do so by grubbing; but after three weeks or so I found grubbing to be an expensive, heart-breaking, gall-bursting and slow process, and I then asked myself could I not manage the stumps in some other way? Could they not be ploughed over, and the scrub by that means brought speedily under cultivation? '
About the beginning of June, 1876, I thought of a plan, and at once put it into practice, and the principle of that plan is the one adopted by all the stumpjumping ploughmakers in the colony.'
Smith was unable to afford more than a temporary registration of his invention, and consequently, like Ridley's stripper, it was not patented. Early in 1882, the president of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society (Mr. R. D. Ross) presented his case to the Government, and the outcome of this was a gift of £500 to the inventor — small recompense for his labor and its immeasurable value to the State.
In a letter to Mr. Ross, to whom he sent the certificate provisionally registering his invention, Smith wrote: — 'I hope you will excuse the shabby appearance of my certificate, but I and my plough and all that pertain to it have been huffed, cuffed, and kicked so much for the last nine years that at last I found myself in a hut in which there was not room for my papers, so I had to stow them in a box outside, and one rainy night a pig capsized them and made a bed of them.'
Further on he added:— 'I had to make the most of my drawings on a boiler plate the full size, so as to get the blacksmith to understand what I wanted.'
The privations he and his family suffered are indicated by this observation:— 'My invention has cost me some money, some anxiety, and condemned my little ones to all the miseries of poverty and banishment in the bush, whereas, if I had been a successful cricketer, a good bowler, or a rifle shooter without pluck, a Blondin or an acrobat, I and mine would have escaped all these ills.'
Smith called his first plough the 'Vixen Stone and StumpJumping Plough.' This had three furrows, and was made in June, 1876. Farmers who saw the first tests declared that it was a mistake to leave any stumps in the ground. The same year, Smith made the sinflefurrow plough, which he exhibited at the Moonta Show.
FIVE years later, Thomas Magarey, a notable South. Australian pastoralist, wrote to his old friend John Ridley, who had by this time retired in England and said: — (Continued on Page 23.)
Richard Smith and his Plough . (Continued from Page 18.)
'The most notable invention in South Australia since your invention of the reaper is the invention of a jumping plough. A farmer has invented a sort of gang-plough, each share upon a separate shaft preceded by a wheel. When a wheel comes to a stump it raises up the particular plough-share which follows it until it has passed the stump or stone. The other shares not having any interest in that particular stump go on with their work unconcernedly until it comes to their own turn to be helped like a lame dog over a stile — or stump.
'The mallee is first cut down level with the ground and allowed to lie in the blazing sun a few weeks or months, then set on fire when a great many of the mallee roots burn out very completely. Without any further delay the seed is sown upon the ashes and the jumping plough put to work which does duty as both, plough and harrow.
'An excellent crop appears — a better crop than if the land had been grubbed the first year. The Ridley reaper is put in and the wheat carted off.
'By the third or fourth year, the ground is completely clear, having been paying its way all the time.'
DISPUTES over who actually did invent the stump jumping plough followed the Government's gift of £500 to Smith. Charles Branson, a farmer, of Stockport, and James Winchester Stott an Alma blacksmith, jointly petitioned the Government for recognition.
While admitting that they produced a stump-jumping plough two years later than Smith, they claimed that his invention did not find favor, while theirs was the first 'good, practicable plough.
'Eventually; Smith, with his brother Clarence, joined forces with Stott and they and some Adelaide businessmen patented a new model which embodied the best features of both designs.
Another claimant for the honor was Robert Shapland, who declared that he invented a stump-jumping plough in 1875. He received £150 in satisfaction of his claim.
Yet another claimant was James Martin, of Gawler, who asserted that he was the first to put the idea of a stumpjumping plough into practical form, and that he did so at the instance of the Mullen, of scrub rolling fame.
However, enquiries were made and none of these was able to take from Smith the distinction of being the man who invented the first stump-jumping plough in the world.
The dispute momentarily flickered up again in an unexpected way in 1901, after the death of Clarence Smith. The citizens of Kadina had decided to erect a memorial to the memory of the inventor of the stump-jumping plough, and it seems that they intended to perpetuate the name of Clarence Smith and not Richard.
Indignantly, Richard Smith wrote from Western Australia claiming that he, himself, was 'not only the inventor of the stone and stump-jumping plough, but an advocate of its use in season and out of season.'
Clarence, he said, was his apprentice and had expressed strong opinions against the invention. 'At the Moonta Show, I told the jeering crowd of farmers that the implement would revolutionise the system then in vogue, which it has done.
Among those who jeered was the late C. H. Smith.' Smith also claimed the invention of the tip scoop. Whatever their intention may have been, the people of Kadina made no further move and the town is still without a monument honoring the memory of the inventor of the stumpjumping plough.
STUMP JUMP PLOUGH MADE FARMS POSSIBLE
Thu 26 Feb 1953, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)
Early single-furrow stump-jump plough invented by Mr. R. B. Smith, of Kalkabury, and exhibited at the Moonta Show on November 9, 1876. Reproduced from an old print issued by the Surveyor-General's Office, Adelaide.
South Australia played a leading part in the development of practices which made Australia's large scale agriculture possible. These were the invention of the stripper and the stump-jump plough, realisation of the need for phosphatic fertiliser, and the introduction of subterranean clover and topdressing of pasture lands. in this article the story of how the stumpjump plough was invented is told by Mr. J. H. MELLOR.
AMBITIOUS to convert newly acquired areas of mallee scrub into fields of glowing grain, many of South Australia's agricultural pioneers of last century found themselves faced with a formidable enemy against which they were forced to wage war.
The foe comprised countless, partly-buried, gnarled mallee roots, known as stumps, which had resisted obliteration by fires kindled among dying trees strewn above. The farmers, as a preparatory measure in clearing the land, had felled these scrub trees with horsedrawn rollers.
Not with swords, as in normal warfare, was the assault made, but with brittle, cast-iron ploughshares fixed to old fashioned, imported ploughs. The points of these shares were rammed hard against the stumps.
The aim of every farmer was to oust the stumps, but the hope that the oncoming ploughshares would dislodge them proved a vain one.
Two of the most important components of the ploughs, namely the mouldboard and the share, were fixed to an upright V-shaped iron body, the arms of which were rigidly assembled to a horizontal beam by means of two bolts.
Terrific pounding occasionally caused the rear bolt to snap. Then, solely suspended on the front bolt, the uncontrollable body would swing and tilt with a fore and aft motion.
In 1876, Robert Bowyer Smith, a farmer residing near Arthurton on Yorke Peninsula, found his plough behaving in this erratic manner. Undaunted by the experience, he optimistically sensed that a plough, if designed to embody a properly controlled, pivoted body, might, while ploughing, successfully negotiate stubborn stumps. He submitted the idea to his brothers Clarence and Sidney, who conducted a nearby blacksmithing business. Almost immediately there materialised the world's first stump jumping plough. This implement was exhibited at the Moonta Show on November 9, 1876.
In 1953, after a lapse of three-quarters of a century, it is interesting to discover the widow of Sidney Smith — one of the makers of that historic implement — still living in Victoria. Mrs. Smith despite her 92 years, is in full possession of her faculties and able to recollect clearly and to discuss events connected with the invention.
That they should have been vividly impressed upon her young mind may not seem surprising in view of the fact that she was a neighbor of the Smith Brothers, one of whom courted her, and she was a privileged eye witness of much which transpired.
She emphasises that R. B. Smith was the actual inventor, and Sidney (later her husband) and Clarence Smith were the makers of the plough.
It was a single-furrow plough. Upon being tested, it was found to jump the stumps as desired. But it failed to plough very efficiently between them.
This defect was more or less rectified in a second plough of three furrows, which was fitted with adjustable balance weights calculated to relieve strain and jarring on the shoulders of the horses when stumps were struck. This implement was a sulky plough, which means that it was mounted on wheels.
So resolutely did it nose its way that Mr. Smith likened it to a sly she-fox. In fact, he christened it 'The Vixen.'
The South Australian Legislature, urged on by the Royal South Australian Agricultural Society after a searching investigation, decided to officially recognise Mr. R. B. Smith as the original inventor of the stump jumping plough and to reward him with a cash bonus of £500.
Parliamentary papers of the day record that the estimates embodying the award were adopted on September 12, 1882, and an Act giving effect to them was assented to on November 17, 1882.
Mr. Smith allotted part of the proceeds to his brothers. Sidney, with his portion, purchased a hotel at Tickera, north of Wallaroo, while Clarence established a prosperous plough factory at Ardrossan.
Other claimants, Branson, Stott, and Shapland, so later Parliamentary papers disclose, petitioned the Government for bonuses, each asserting that he had thought of the idea of a stump jump plough. Although it cannot be denied that they rendered service to posterity by constructively suggesting improvements, Mr. Smith has retained the honor of being the recognised original inventor.
The plough's utility was offset for a decade by the enforced use of breakable, cast-iron shares. In 1888, the Shearer Brothers, blacksmiths, of Mannum, retrieved matters by patenting some unbreakable wrought steel shares, so efficient in quality, that over six million of them have since been manufactured.