Single Row Plough - Danville, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 54.580 W 091° 32.141
15S E 626961 N 4307771
Spelling may come to question, is it Plow or Plough?
Waymark Code: WMRDN2
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 06/14/2016
Views: 3
County of display: Montgomery County
Location of display: Old Main St., old courthouse lawn, Danville
"There was little attempt to change the design of the plough until the mid 1600's with the Dutch being among the first in improving its shape. This change in shape was soon discovered in Northern England and Scotland with Joseph Foljambe from Rotherham building and patented a plough having what was described as, the perfect implement then in use.
"Known as the Rotherham swing plough, because no depth wheel was used, it was like ploughs before it, constructed from wood. The difference was that the fittings and coulter were made of iron and the mouldboard and share were covered with an iron plate. This new design was considered by all who saw it at work to be more efficient and lighter to pull than any other kind at that time. For over 30 years this design proved very popular and was used extensively up and down the country. It was perhaps the first to be factory produced on a large scale.
"Man continually experiments to become more efficient and in 1763 a Berwickshire man, John Small, first applied mathematical calculations and science to the mouldboard shape. He experimented with varying mouldboard curvatures and patterns, eventually producing a universal cast iron shape that would turn the soil more effectively with less draft, wear and strain on the ploughman. Over the years this 'Scots Plough' as it was know, was the beginning of the plough we all know today.
"Like our ancestors, we continue to strive for improvement. If we take a look at plough development over the last 50 years there has been enormous change. Horse ploughs soon became redundant for more efficient steam units with large multi furrow balance ploughs, quietly trundling up and down fields with only the sound of a whistle to indicate a change of ploughing direction.
"Using converted horse ploughs, the more manoeuvrable wheeled tractor slowly took over from steam in the early 1900's and was the start of the format we are all familiar with today. When Harry Fergurson's 3-point linkage appeared in 1920, it totally revolutionised implement attachment and machine performance and has now become the universal norm." ~ The Society of Ploughmen