Object Record
Images
Additional Images [5]
Metadata
Object ID # |
2003.019.005abcde |
Object Name |
Scale, Grain |
Title |
Chondrometer Set |
Lexicon category |
4: T&E For Materials |
Year Range from |
1910 |
Year Range to |
1936 |
Artist |
Greey, W. & J. G. |
Made |
Greey, W. & J. G. |
Place of Origin |
Toronto, Ontario |
Description |
W. & J. G. GREEY grain-testing weigh scale, also called a chondrometer. The apparatus is comprised of the following: a claw-footed, three-legged (tripod-style) cast metal stand with GR cast at the top in a brass finial (a), a conical brass container with pivoting closure at its smaller end, that is 21.5 cm long, with its largest diameter being 8.6 cm (b), a wooden leveling tool (has maker's name impressed) 5 cm x 13.3 cm x 2.2 cm thick (c). This item has a horizontal rest for it present on the stand, a cylindrical brass pot (bucket) with a pivoting, hanging handle. 1/64 IMPERIAL BUSHEL stamped on exterior (d) and a short brass beam scale (has maker's name stamped) that hangs loosely by means of a ball-like part of a thick brass hand ring (e). The stand has a bracket that holds this hand ring upright. The beam has a sliding brass weight. |
Makers mark |
"GR" cast at the top finial (Georgius Rex re King George) W. & J. G. GREEY TORONTO (impress-stamped in circular fashion on the beam scale). The name is also impressed into the wooden tool. |
Provenance |
Manufactured in Toronto by the W. & J. Greey Company (established 1888). Dates between 1910-1936 as it has GR (King George V) at the finial. It was owned and used by Mr. John T. Hemstock, and then next owned by his son, John MacKinnon Hemstock. John T. Hemstock used it for judging grain at seed fairs and fall fairs in Grey County. The Hemstock family resided at Sullivan Township and owned "Hemstock's Mill". Last owned by Lois Hemstock (née Challinor), who was the wife of John M. Hemstock. An 1894 reference listed the W. & J. Greey company as manufacturers of mill machinery, etc., established in 1888. Another source, a facsimile of their 1888 catalogue, suggests that the company, "The Toronto Mill Finishing Works", was established in 1874. (Wm. & J. G. Greey—William was "Estate Wm. Greey" in 1888 and J. G. Greey was John Greey. W.S.B. Lawrie was also a principal in the company). |
Collection |
Agricultural Tools & Equipment Collection |
Material |
Metal/Brass/Cast iron/Paint |
Dimensions |
H-42 W-35 L-35 cm |
Found |
Sullivan Township (formerly), Township of Chatsworth, Grey County |
People |
Hemstock, John Thomas |
Subjects |
Fall Fairs Gristmills Grey County Industry Grey County Industries Sullivan Township Weights & measures |
Search Terms |
Hemstock's Mill Sullivan Township |
Function |
A grain-testing weigh scale was for measuring and weighing of grain per bushel. This tool was useful when judging the quality of grain at fairs, etc. A sample was taken in the brass cone from the exhibited grain sample. The small end of the cone opened and the seed drained into the brass cup, which was then hung on the scale. The wooden leveler was wiped across the top of the brass cup to level the grain. The process of weighing and measuring the grain per pounds per bushel was then completed. This method of judging was considered to be extremely accurate. |