Details

Artifact no.

2012.0053.001

Manufacturer

Howey Tree Baler Corporation

Manufacturer Location

Merritt, Michigan, United States of America

Manufactured Date

After 1967

Context Function

Used to wrap cut evergreen trees with twine in order to compact tree and protect limbs from damage during transport.

Context Technical

Previous to the introduction of the power tree baler in the 1960s all commercially produced Christmas trees were manually wrapped. This was very time and labour intensive. Howey was the firm that first began the commercial manufacture and retail of the technology. Although newer and more automated units are now available from Howey and its competitors, all work on the same principle as this machine. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Howey brand is that most commonly used in Canada. There are no tree wrapping machines manufactured in Canada. [Ref. 1]

Context Canada

The production of Christmas trees is a significant farming activity occurring in all provinces across Canada. Raising trees can either be a value-added activity for 'regular' farmers on their own property or on the basis of leaseholds granted to them in areas cut over by pulp and paper companies. Lunenburg County is one of the most significant centres for this activity, with much of its production coming as far east as Ontario and down into the northern seaboard of the United States. Nova Scotia first began the export of Christmas trees to the United States in the 1920s in part as a promotional consequence of Boston's assistance with survivors of the Halifax Explosion who had suffered eye injuries. In the 1940s, the Nova Scotia government prepared a research manual for farmers on the proper planting, pruning, harvesting and packing of Christmas trees. From the 1930s through 1950s trees were shipped by box car load from Nova Scotia to the United States and to the rest of Canada. After that, the use of large trucks and multi-axle transport truck trailers became most common. [Ref. 1]

Description

Predominantly metal baler formerly painted red, is now heavily rusted. Fitted with 3 black rubber (?) tires [2 on undercarriage and 1 on top of baler mechanism cowling.]; unfinished plywood boards mounted on either side of baler mechanism; blue & white synthetic baler twine visible in metal containers within cowling, but inaccessible; silver metal cable & towing hitch; black, red & opaque synthetic lamp housings.

Number of Parts

2

Artifact Finish

Predominantly metal baler formerly painted red, is now heavily rusted. Fitted with 3 black rubber (?) tires [2 on undercarriage and 1 on top of baler mechanism cowling.]; unfinished plywood boards mounted on either side of baler mechanism; blue & white synthetic baler twine visible in metal containers within cowling, but inaccessible; silver metal cable & towing hitch; black, red & opaque synthetic lamp housings.

Artifact Markings

'3' stencilled on both sides of baler cowling. Label on cowling reads 'SOLD AND SERVICED BY/ H.C. SANDERS AND SON LTD./New Ross Nova Scotia/ [902] 389-2262'. ' HO[illegible]/ Christmas' visible on badly damaged label present on cowling. Second decal on cowling reads 'CHRISTMAS/ Tree Farm/ EQUIPMENT/ SERIAL NO. [blank]/ MODEL NO. [blank]/ Howey Tree Baler Corporation/ Merritt, Michigan'.

Artifact Missing

Unknown.

Group 1

Agriculture

Category 1

Crop processing

Subcategory 1

General processing

Material

metal->;synthetic->;resin - possible->rubber - possible;wood

Length

600.0 cm

Width

137.0 cm