1
Farming was a way of life, where (especially in the early days) work was all done by the brute strength of man and horse (or oxen) power.Fairly soon steam powered machines were brought into the West to power the threshing outfits, althought much of the other work was still done by hand.
Threshing was the process of separating the grain from the straw.
Threshing machine was the name given to the equipment by the manufacturers, but the farmers mostly called them separators.
2
Will Ferguson's Steam Threshing Outfit1917
Near Mirror, Alberta
3
Will Ferguson's Threshing Outfit.On the front left is a wood pile and axe. The crew would hand chop the wood to fuel the steam boiler on the steam engine in the back left of the photo.
To the right is a water tank, carrying the water for the steam engine. It looks like this one is in the process of filling up the steam engine's water tank.
Steam engines did move on their own power, however could normally only go 2 to 3 miles per hour.
The horses were most likely there to pull the water tank.
4
Ferguson's and Barnes's Threshing Together1912
Near Mirror, Alberta
5
Appears to be the Ferguson's threshing crew working in the field again, but not confirmed.Note the spark rester on top of the big pipe on the top of the tractor, which keeps sparks from drifting into the fields.
6
Steam Threshing in the Snow1912
Near Mirror, Alberta
7
Another look at Will Ferguson's Threshing Outfit, ready to get to work.Appears to be a Case steam engine in front, with a spark 'screen' hanging open on the stack.
In the middle stands the water wagon for the steam engine, and to the left is a Case threshing machine (separator).
8
Stack Threshing at Buelow's old home1912
Palouse Hills, SW of Spokane, Washington, USA
9
This is a photo of another threshing crew in our area, most likely fairly early in the 1900's.They are stack threshing, using horses which are walking in a continuous circle, instead of a tractor, to create power to drive the thresher.
10
John Bailey and his Team of Oxen1914
Near Mirror, Alberta
11
This photo is of John Bailey hauling his threshing outfit with his team of oxen in 1914.This was the last team of oxen found in the area just NW of Mirror.
In the forefront of the picture is Fred McDonald, holding his daughter, Mildred.
12
Side View of Early Tractor and Threshing Outfit1910
Near Mirror, Alberta
13
Here is a broader threshing scene in our area.In the middle is a gas tractor, which is powering the thresher by way of the long belt hooked up to it and the thresher.
To the right is the thresher, which is blowing the straw up onto the straw pile, after separating it from the grain. The grain goes into the wagon beside it.
14
Moving Balthasar Gschwendtner's. Threshing Outfit with a Case Steam Tractor and separator1912
Near Mirror, Alberta
 |
 |
 |
 |