54 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Tools, Implements, &c.—continued. 
edge is attached, generally riveted; this has a lever, 
with a cord tied to the end, so that, when the cord is 
pulled from below, the two blades close, and sever 
branches—if the wood is not too hard—of nearly, or 
quite, lin. in diameter. A spring, which is fastened 
to the fixed, and also to the lever, blades, separates 
their cutting edges so soon as the rope is loosened. 
For pruning or cutting into shape tall trees and shrubs 
at considerable elevations, this is the most effectual 
plan, as a workman may stand on the ground, and 
easily detach branches situated at a height of from 
12ft. to 16ft., provided, of course, that the handle is 
sufficiently long. The cord passes from the lever over 
a small pulley fixed to the handle, and thus full pur- 
chase is secured. 
Ave. A small, short-handled Axe is adapted for 
cleaving blocks of firewood, after they have been sawn 
into proper lengths; it may also be used for sharpening 
large stakes, and for many other purposes. It is also 
advisable to have, in addition, one of a larger size, if 
such work as tree-felling has ever to be executed. 
Bill-hooks. One or more of these are in frequent 
requisition for sharpening stakes, chopping firewood, 
cutting down high hedges, large common shrubs, &c. 
Bill-hooks are made with or without a chopper at the 
back. They are familiar to everyone, and are in 
constant use. 
Brooms. For outdoor work, sweeping lawns, walks, &c., 
birch Brooms are most generally used, and are best 
adapted. In some gardens, these are made in wet weather 
by the workmen, but Brooms ready for use may be pro- 
cured in any quantity when this is inconvenient or 
impracticable. In either case, the wood or a stock of 
Brooms should be procured in winter before the sap 
rises; when deferred until this takes place, the twigs 
are much less tough, and do not last. Brooms, or reserve 
wood for making them, may best be kept in an open 
or airy shed, preferably on the cross-beams, where it 
is dry. For cleaning the floors of glass structures, the 
ordinary long-handled Brooms generally used in houses 
are best. 
Chisels. In pruning operations, when the pieces to 
be detached are inconveniently situated for cutting, either 
with a knife or pruning-saw, Chisels are sometimes used. 
For this purpose, those employed in gardens are somewhat 
similar in shape to those used by carpenters. Chisels 
are occasionally employed for pruning at considerable 
elevations ; they are attached to handles of various 
lengths. When grafting large tree stocks, by the cleft 
method, a chisel shaped somewhat like a sharp wedge 
is employed; this is called a Grafting Chisel. Besides 
these, a strong, wrenching Chisel is always valuable in 
a garden, for opening cases, &c., which usually arrive, 
more or less frequently, by rail. 
Crowbars. One of these, at least, is recommended to be 
kept for making holes wherein to insert strong stakes, or 
any which cannot conveniently be driven into the solid 
ground. A round bar of iron, with one end tapered to a 
point, and the other made wedge-shaped, is most generally 
employed : the wedge end is sometimes valuable for levering 
or lifting plants in large tubs and other things which 
are unusually heavy. 
Fic. 47. DAISY GRUBBER. 
Daisy Grubbers and Daisy Rakes. For removing Daisies 
from lawns these tools are employed. The Grubber is an 
implement about 18in. long, with a handle at one end and 
a claw at the other (see Fig. 47), for digging up Daisies by 
Tools, Implements, &c.— continued. 
the roots. Daisy Rakes have broad teeth with sharp edges 
(see Fig. 48) that cut off Daisy flowers from lawns, but of 
Fig. 48. DAISY RAKE. 
course do not destroy the roots. The latter may be used 
for raking short lawn grass instead of sweeping it with 
a broom. 
Dibbers. These may be made from pieces of ordinary 
wood, shaped like a right angle, or somewhat like an obtuse 
Fic, 49. DIBBER. 
angle, and pointed, or from old spade handles; the latter are 
generally favoured (see Fig. 49). To make them last a long 
time, the points are sometimes cased with steel, but there 
is no real necessity for this. Dibbers are of most use 
where the soil is rather light; in heavy lands, the holes 
made by them are often smooth inside, and the roots of 
plants do not so readily penetrate. The uses to which 
Dibbers are put, for inserting plants, &c., are generally 
well known. The Potato Dibber has a handle long enough 
for a workman to use standing upright, and is provided 
with a piece of wood or iron, which is used as a treadle. 
This, being fixed at the required distance from the end, 
insures all the Potato sets being put in at a uniform 
depth below the surface of the soil. 
Edging-iron, or Verge-cutter. A tool used for cutting- 
out beds in turf and for trimming the edges of walks 
in flower-gardens, pleasure-grounds, &c., when these are 
composed of turf. It consists of a sharp-cutting steel 
blade formed in the shape of a crescent (see Fig. 50), with 
a socket attached, into which a round handle is fixed, with 
a cap on the top like that of a spade. There are other 
kinds of Verge-cutters, but this is the one generally used, 
and it answers most effectually. It may be guided to 
cut edges, outlines of beds, &c., in turf, of almost any 
. desired shape, 
Forks. Forks of one or more kinds are amongst the 
most useful implements in gardens: for many purposes, 
