Dictionary of Tools and Iiuplancnls 



275 



twist, pressing it at the same time close two parts through the natural Une of the 

 to the shoot, and draw it gently upwards, fibres, leaving rough uneven surfaces, and the 



rent will precede tlie tool. A similar effect 



Averuncator. 



will be produced on removing a stout chip 

 from the side of a IMock of wood with the 



Fi£S 3 and 4. A^^paragus Kii 



by which process the bud will 

 from the crown." 



be separated 



AVERUNCATOR (from the Latin aver- 

 riinco, to prime). — This implement (fig. 5) 

 is used to remove small branches at heights 

 above the reach of the common pruning 

 shears, so as to save the necessity of ladders. 

 It has a compound blade attached to a handle 

 of greater or less length, and operating by 

 means of a lever acted upon by a cord pass- 

 ing over a pulley. The branch is taken be- 

 tween the cutters, and the cord on being 

 pulled smartly down, acts upon the lever, so 

 as to bring the cutting faces together, sever- 

 ing the branch at the same time. 



Fig. 6. Diagmm shewing acl 



of the Axe and Adze. 



AXE. — The Axe differs from the Adze 



(fig. i) in being a s])litting wedge, not a hatchet, adze, or paring chisel. So long as 



cutting instrument ; for if driven into a block the chip is too rigid to bend to the edge of 



of wood, as at a (fig. 6) it will split it into the tool, the rent will precede it. If the instru- 



