CHAPTER XXVIII. 

 THE CARE OF TOOLS. 



IF garden tools are to last, they must be taken care of. This 

 is obvious, but how often is it acted upon by amateurs ? 

 A peep into the potting sheds often discloses tools hung 

 up dirty with soil, hoes and forks going rusty, and other 

 signs of lack of ordinary care. Good tools can easily 

 be spoilt by a few months of bad treatment or improper 

 use. 



Good tools are necessary for success, and to get the most 

 out of them they should be well looked after. All should 

 have the earth brushed off as soon as they are brought in 

 from the garden, and be wiped dry with a cloth. Rakes 

 are rather difficult to wipe with a cloth, so an extra brushing 

 may serve for cleaning and drying. 



When hoes and iron rakes are put away for the winter 

 they should have oil rubbed over their iron parts. The 

 prongs of forks and the blades of spades can have a very 

 little oil rubbed over them each time they are brought in 

 after winter digging. Shears should always be well cleaned, 

 dried, and oiled after use, and they should be frequently 

 sharpened. Secateurs should be kept clean, and so should 

 garden knives. 



The scythe should be well oiled and sharpened up after 

 use. 



Watering cans should have a coat of paint in the winter 

 months if they require it, and any small leakages soldered 

 up. 



Turfing instruments should be kept bright. If they once 

 go rusty they become hard to use. 



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