Classic Tractor Tales: The art of tractors - Greenmount Press

Accordingly, for the first time ever inthe art class, I produced a resplendentdrawing, which happened to be of a DavidBrown Cropmaster. I was able to sketchit perfectly to scale purely from memoryand include all the levers, badges and otherdoo-dahs. Proudly I laid the finished masterpiecebefore me on the desk.INDIGNATIONMr Salveson meandered around thesteamy room insisting that “The cold isbitter boys.” Occasionally he passed commentson the various efforts displayed forhis inspection and even infrequently utteredwords of approval and encouragement.Approaching from my rear, his footstepspaused as he peered over my shoulder atmy masterpiece. I leaned back so that hewould be sure to have an uninterruptedview of the David Brown.“What is this?” he barked.“Eh? It is a tractor Sir” I replied, perplexedby this unexpected response. I hadanticipated my tractor would have beenheld up before the class as an inspiration.“You are an obtuse boy, obviously withno knowledge of farm tractors” he stated,gazing heavenwards and shaking hishead.“Bbb...ut this is a David Brown CropmasterSir” I endeavoured to explain.“I instructed you to draw a tractor boy,not a vulgar American car.”“The new David Brown is streamlinedand has a bonnet a bit like an Americancar” I protested, and then added insolently“Sir.”“What rubbish – and watch your tongueyoung man” he added threateningly.“I drive one on the farm!” This with myvoice raised in frustration.“Take one hundred lines for insolenceand consider yourself fortunate not to receivea severe thrashing. How dare youquestion me on the subject of tractors.”Mr Salveson turned to the class. “Sothat we can endeavour to educate youngJohnston about tractors, I shall now drawone on the blackboard.” With a menacingglance in my direction he selected a pieceof chalk and commenced to draw a brilliantreplica of – a Fordson Model N.There was no doubt about Mr Salveson’stalent as an artist. Considering hewas a schoolmaster and not a farmer ortractor design engineer, I could appreciatethe excellence of his drawing. My DavidBrown I knew was good, but Mr Salveson’sFordson was simply amazing.But inside I was seething! It was obviousthat Mr Salveson was not abreast with thenew era of tractors. The Fordson N waslittle different from the Fordson F, whichwas first released in 1927. The DagenhamFord works had persisted with the design.It was antiquated and ugly, when comparedto the sleek David Brown Cropmaster. Thenew range of Massey Harris, InternationalHarvester, Case and Turner tractors, toname a few, released in the late 1940s,were also styled and indeed streamlined.Rather than risk provoking Mr Salvesonfurther, I knew a foolproof way of establishingmy tractor credentials, which he wouldhave to accept. The boys in the class hadbeen mightily amused by the proceedings,as each one knew of my association withfarms and my knowledge of tractors, so Ihad nothing to prove there.RETRIBUTIONEach school morning Mr Salvesonalighted from a number 24 tram and commencedthe challenging walk up OrchardBrae Road which took him in the directionof the school. Regularly I would passhim as I weaved my way up the stiff climbon my bicycle. It was a required courtesyto say “Good morning Sir” as I laboured…48sFEBRUARY–MARCH 2009 THE AUSTRALIAN COTTONGROWER — 47