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Darby's Patent Pedestrian Broadside Digger Co., Limited,

John Dutton, Darby's Pedestrian Broadside Digger Co. Ltd

Reaccessioned in MERL Archives as document. This is a catalogue of the Broadside Digger issued for the Royal Agricultural Society's show at Kilburn, 1879. The Digger was invented by Mr Thomas Churchman Darby of Pleshey, Essex, probably in 1876 and was on the market until at least 1912, although it underwent numerous modifications and radical changes in design. The Darby's business was founded in 1858 and is still in existence at Wickford, Essex. The model illustrated in the catalogue was powered by a 10 h.p. steam engine and travelled broadside, cultivating a width of 19'6" at a time. The cost of one day's work... of 10 acres is calculated in the catalogue as being £6 by the horse plough, £4 15s. 0d. by the steam plough and £2 7s. 0d. by the digger. In addition the makers claim that their system was superior to ploughing in that it imitated spade husbandry rather than that of the plough. In conclusion the catalogue quotes testimonials from users and opinions of the press.

1 trade catalogue; deaccessioned

Chelmsford, Chelmsford

1879 - 1879

Darby, John (Inventor)
Dutton (Publisher)
Royal Agricultural Society of England (Agent)