Tractoring in Childhood

Our tractor was more old fashioned than most. It had lugged steel wheels, not large rubber tires like most neighbours’ tractors of the time. It was a Massey Harris Pacemaker made in the mid-30s and rust coloured with no evidence of residual paint. Like many other things on this farm, it came with the farm when our parents bought it in the early 1940s.

The tractor was kept in the driving shed. It was started by a crank at the front. It had no muffler so was very loud when it ran, especially inside the driving shed. It usually frightened pre-schoolers when it was started so we usually…