WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 55 



sitting about the garden-walk, on an inverted 

 flower-pot, while I hoe, somewhat destroys the 

 practical value of her testimony. 



As to this hoe, I do not mind saying that it 

 has changed my view of the desirableness and 

 value of human life. It has, in fact, made life a 

 holiday to me. It is made on the principle that 

 man is an upright, sensible, reasonable being, 

 and not a grovelling wretch. It does away with 

 the necessity of the hinge in the back. The 

 handle is seven and a half feet long. There are 

 two narrow blades, sharp on both edges, which 

 come together at an obtuse angle in front ; and 

 as you walk along with this hoe before you, 

 pushing and pulling with a gentle motion, the 

 weeds fall at every thrust and withdrawal, and 

 the slaughter is immediate and wide-spread. 

 When I got this hoe I was troubled with sleep- 

 less mornings, pains in the back, kleptomania 

 with regard to new weeders ; when I went into 



