14

Catalogue Description of the Grout Binder
19th Century, Circa 1888
Grout Agricultural Works, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

15

The Grout Agricultural Works produced high quality implements at its Mountain Street location until 1879 when the building went up in flames. After the fire John Grout decided that there was need to expand the company and he built again on another site, at the south-east Corner of Main and Oak (Elm). The company name was was changed to 'John H. Grout and Company' and the business became more profitable.

16

Grimsby Pre 1879
1855 - 1879
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

17

The John H. Grout Agricultural Implement Works Foundry
1883 - 1901
Grout Agricultural Implement Works, South East Corner of Main and Oak (Elm) Streets, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

18

JOHN GROUT'S GRIMSBY GRAPE HOE

John H. Grout and Company produced a unique product - the horse-drawn grape hoe. Using this machine, farmers were able to cultivate more closely to the root system of the grape vine. This new grape hoe was very helpful as it did not damage the plants, and the farmers no longer needed to strain their backs by bending over to use hand hoes. The mechanics of these original machines while modified are still being used today in tractor drawn grape cultivators.

19

Grimsby Grape Hoe
19th Century, Circa 1890
Grout Agricultural Implement Works, South East Corner of Main and Oak (Elm) Streets, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

20

JOHN GROUT'S SULKY PLOW

Another popular machine produced by John H. Grout and Company was the Sulky plow. The Sulky plow was horse-drawn and its design, which included a seat, allowed the farmer to sit rather than walk behind the horse. The most important feature of the Sulky plow was its heavy iron frame and the depth control lever.

In 1886-87 Walter Grout, a relative of John completed a scale model of the Sulky plow. This model was entered in, and won many prizes in contests such as the Great Central Fair in Hamilton, the Dominion Industrial Exhibition in Toronto and the Monck Agricultural Fair.

21

Model of the Sulky Plow Produced by the Grout Agricultural Implement Works
19th Century, Circa 1887
Grout Agricultural Works, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

22

Bronze Medal Certificate for the Sulky Plow Model at the Dominion Industrial Exhibition
1887
Dominion Industrial Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

23

Bronze Medal for the Sulky Plow Model at the Dominion Industrial Exhibition
1887
Dominion Industrial Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

24

First Prize for the Sulky Plow Model at the Great Central Fair in Hamilton
1888
Great Central Fair, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

25

First Prize for the Sulky Plow Model at the Monck Agricultural Fair
1888
Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

26

In the 1890's business at John H. Grout & Company declined and following the fire at the Carpenter Basket Factory, John Grout decided to open a basket factory. John Grout died in 1901 and after his death both John H. Grout & Company and the basket factory were sold.

27

PROVIDING TREES AND PLANTS FOR FARMERS

One of the first nursery businesses in the area was owned and operated by A. M. Smith and C. E. Woolverton. In 1856, A. M. Smith moved to Grimsby from Vermont U.S.A. and went into business with Woolverton, growing and selling young plants and seedlings to local farmers from 1856 to 1871. In 1881 Smith moved to St. Catharines and opened a public nursery business.