80 IMPLEMENTS OF HORTICULTURE. 



rating a number of the fibres. In general, the power or efficiency of 

 any tool or instrument, supposing it to be properly constructed, is as 

 its weight taken in connexion with the motion which is given to it by 

 the operator. Hence strongly-made implements of every kind are to 

 be preferred to light ones, rotatory motion to any other kind ; and this 

 preference will be found to be given by all good workmen. 



In the construction of implements, the levers or handles are for the 

 most part made of wood, and the wedges or operating parts of iron or 

 steel. The wood in most general use for handles in Britain is ash ; 

 and next to the ash, oak : but for lighter tools, such as the hoe, 

 rake, the scraper, besom, &c., pine or fir deal is sufficient. Handles 

 to implements are of four kinds : first, cylindrical and smooth from 

 one extremity to the other, as in the hoe, rake, &c. ; second, cylin- 

 drical, or nearly so, but dilated at one or at both extremities, as in 

 the pick, hatchet, &c., such handles being called helves ; third, cylin- 

 drical and smooth, but with a grasping piece at one end, as in the 

 spade, shovel, &c. ; and fourth, angular or rough throughout, as 

 in the pruning-knife, hammer, hedgebill, &c. The reasons for these 

 forms of handles are to be found in the manner of using the imple- 

 ments : one hand of the operator is run rapidly along cylindrical 

 handles, as in the hoe and rake ; in the dilated handles, one hand 

 slides along between two extremities till it reaches the dilated part of 

 the head, which wedges firmly into the hand ; and, this dilated part 

 being in the direction of the operating part of the tool, adds consider- 

 ably to its strength. This is the case in the pick, and in the hatchet, 

 in which implements, without the dilatations at both extremities of the 

 handle, as well as in some degree in the middle part, it would be diffi- 

 cult for the operator to bring down an oblique blow with sufficient 

 accuracy. Without the cross-piece or perforated handle of the spade, 

 the operator could not easily lift a spitful or turn it over ; and hence we 

 find, that in using the Flemish and other Continental spades, that have 

 no grasping piece at one end, the operator never attempts to turn over 

 the spitful, but merely throws it from him in such a manner that the 

 surface falls towards the bottom of the furrow. No pruning-knife or 

 hedgebill could be grasped firmly in the hand if it were cylindrical ; 

 and unless these instruments are held firmly, it is impossible to cut 

 obliquely with sufficient precision. The iron of all instruments should 

 be of the best quality, and the cutting edges of blades, and sharp 

 perforating points, should be of steel for greater hardness and dura- 

 bility. 



Next to the importance of having implements properly constructed, 

 is that of keeping them constantly in good repair. For this purpose 

 the iron or steel parts require to be occasionally sharpened on a grind- 

 stone or by other means, or to have additions of iron or steel welded 

 to them by the blacksmith or cutler. All implements, when not in 

 use, should be kept under cover in an open airy shed or tool-house ; 

 some, as the spade, pick, &c., may rest on the ground; others, as the 

 scythe, rake, &c., should be suspended on hooks or pins ; and smaller 

 articles, such as trowels, dibbers, &c., placed in a holster rail. This is 



