AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
55 
OF HORTICULTURE. 
Raper T 
Tools, Implements, &e.—continued. 
Fig. 50. EDGING-IRON. 
there is nothing which could form an efficient substitute. 
Forks should always be light: they cannot be readily 
handled and used when constructed so as to appear 
heavy when lifted. For digging, either a four or five- 
tined Fork is best: the latter is generally preferable of the 
two, as the tines or prongs are close together. Most 
Digging-forks are made with narrow, steel tines, but a 
useful kind for such work as Potato-digging has broad 
Fig. 51. FLAT-TINED DIGGING-FORK. 
ones, as represented in Fig. 51. For digging hard 
ground, a Fork is not a good substitute for the spade, 
but when the soil is light and also loose at the bottom 
it may sometimes be substituted with advantage. In 
transplanting trees of any description, a Digging-fork 
with narrow tines should always be used for separating 
soil which surrounds the roots. Dung-forks are invalu- 
able for turning and mixing litter and leaves, or any light 
manure. The best are those with either three or four 
small, steel tines, which pass readily through the manure, 
and seldom clog when in use. Other kinds of Forks are 
made for special purposes—as, for instance, very large 
ones, with four or five long prongs, for loading leaves; 
and others, with long handles and only two prongs (like 
those used for haymaking, but stronger), for lifting 
bundles of straw, wood, &c. There are also small Hand 
Forks, with three flat prongs, which are useful for plunging 
plants amongst tan or cocoa-nut fibre. 
Grubbing-axe, Pick, and Pickawe. Whenever there are 
trees of more than ordinary size to be rooted out by 
garden workmen, one or more Grubbing-axes should be 
included in the list of tools. Common Picks are re- 
quisite for breaking up the surface of walks, &e., and 
one end of the pickaxe may also be used for similar 
purposes. The difference between these had better be 
explained: the ordinary or common Pick has both of the 
ends pointed, and cannot, therefore, be used for cutting 
roots; a Pickaxe has one end pointed, and the other 
made like a chopper, its edge being in line with the 
handle ; the Grubbing-axe has both ends wedge-shaped for 
cutting—one being in line, and the other turned cross- 
Tools, Implements, &e.—continued. 
ways, with the handle (see Fig. 52). 
these require, when in constant use, 
attention by a blacksmith ; 
The ends of all 
rather frequent 
otherwise, they soon get blunt. 
Fic. 52. GRUBBING-AXE. 
They should be well steeled and tempered, to make them 
last as long as possible without being repaired, and to 
keep the point or edge sharp and in good order. 
Hammer. The best form of Hammer for gardening 
purposes is that with rather a short head, having a claw 
Fria. 53. GARDEN HAMMER. 
at the back (see Fig. 53), for drawing out old nails when 
training wall trees. This is the principal use for which 
Hammers are required. 
Hoes. These are requisite in all gardens for many pur- 
poses, the forms most employed being the Swan-necked 
—— i 
Fig. 54. SWAN-NECKED DRAW-HOE. 
Draw-hoe (see Fig. 54), and the Dutch or Thrust-hoe (see 
Fig. 55). The first-named is better than the old form 
Fig, 55. DUTCH OR THRUST-HOE, 
of Draw-hoe,’ which soon gets clogged with soil round 
the eye, particularly if it is the least sticky or wet. 
Besides hoeing to destroy weeds, this kind of Hoe, which 
is made in various sizes, is the best for drawing drills 
for seeds, earthing-up crops, &c. Dutch Hoes, also made 
in various widths, are sometimes preferred for breaking 
up the surface of the ground, hoeing flower - beds, and 
cutting up small weeds in summer. There are two or 
three other kinds of Hoes which are not altogether re- 
quisite: a reference to these may be found under Hoes 
and Hoeing. : 
A Mallet is useful for driving stakes into the 
ground, as, for example, those used for Raspberries and 
young fruit-trees. It is also required when a chisel is 
used for cutting off branches, &c., and for various other 
purposes. A moderately heavy one is best adapted, and it 
should be made from wood that will not readily split. 
Rakes. Both iron and wooden Rakes are necessary in 
gardens, for levelling ground, and for cleaning up refuse 
of every description. Ordinary wooden ones, such as are 
