Agriculture
The 18th century was a time of far-reaching change in Scottish agriculture when landowners along with their tenants were active in carrying out measures which would improve the economic yield of their lands.
The effects of these wide-spread ideas about improvement were felt rapidly in Fife and Fife men were amongst its leaders. the first President of the "Society for Improving the Knowledge of Agriculture" founded in 1723 was Thomas Hope of Rankeillour who had studied progressive agriculture in France, Holland and England. In the course of the century the farming economy of Fife changed fundamentally; the old run-rig lands were re-divided and enclosed and the commons were divided and ploughed up or planted with trees to provide very much the pattern of fields and landscape still evident today; extensive liming and manuring and greatly improved drainage helped to reclaim waste land; improved rotations and the development of new and better seeds and breeds helped to increase yields. With the introduction of the turnip, greater numbers of livestock could be kept, and the spread of the potato helped eliminate famine. For farmers, farm workers and livestock alike, new buildings aided and reflected improved living standards.
The collection of agricultural exhibits in the Fife Folk Museum reflects the smaller tools and equipment of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Extremely functional, the tools were specifically designed for particular jobs. Such objects are a primary historical source, and ought to be considered as essential evidence alongside that knowledge we can gain by looking at old farm buildings, account books, and by listening to the tales told by old farmers and farm-workers recounting their youth.
Worthy of note in a large selection of Dairy equipment are:
- Large Horn Milk Ladle found in the Dairy next to the Museum, probably 18th century
- Very old staved Plunger Churn
- Plunger Churn made in 1906 in Joiner's shop at Woodhaven, N. Fife and sold for 4/6d
- Miniature Cream Can to fit onto handle of larger milk can
- Wooden Milk Pail or luggie
- Curd Breaker - a long curved handle with wire ribbed rake to stir and break up the curd in cheese making
- Cheese vat with narrower lid and holes in the side, so that the excess liquid could be forced out gradually under a Cheese Press of Iron or Stone until the cheese was of a good shape and consistency