Mole plough

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Date:1900 - 1920 (c.)

Description:This horse-drawn mole plough was used to improve the drainage of farm land. As it was pulled through the soil it would make a small cylindrical tunnel a short distance below the surface. It was most effective on clay soils. Improved drainage is vital to the farmer. It increases the amount of land available for crops or for pasture, can ensure earlier harvests and can improve crop yields.

The manufacturer of this plough is not known, but could possibly have been manufactured by Philip Pierce & Co., Wexford, Eire.

This object is now part of the Staffordshire County Museum collection, and was restored in 2007 with the assistance of MLA West Midlands' Supporting Stewardship grant.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1840s
Longhorn bull
Longhorn bull

Oil painting of Longhorn bull 'Conqeror' (sic), facing right , standing in stable ...

1900s
Bar cultivator
Bar cultivator

A horse-drawn single bar cultivator. Cultivators are used, like hoes, to keep control ...

1920s
'Landmark' single furrow plough
'Landmark' single furrow plough

This horse-drawn single furrow plough was manufactured by Lloyds & Co., of Letchworth, ...

1940s
Mr Brookes, Shugborough Park Farm
Mr Brookes, Shugborough Park Farm

Leonard 'Dick' Brookes (1915-2009), pictured in the farmhouse at Shugborough Park ...

1970s
Restoration of Shugborough Park Farm
Restoration of Shugborough Park Farm

Shugborough Park Farm pictured after the departure of its last tenant. The farm ...

2000s
The Mayfield Smithy at Shugborough Park Farm
The Mayfield Smithy at Shugborough Park Farm

Charles Woodward's smithy from Mayfield as reconstructed at Shugborough Park Farm. ...

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Image courtesy of: Staffordshire Museum Service

Donor ref:96.010.0002 (37/21548)

Source: Staffordshire Museum Service

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.