16 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



tool of constant utility. It is like a wide-made chisel, 

 set on the end of a long handle, and is good for cutting 

 up weeds on grass, paths, or beds. 



The fork is an implement which should be always used 

 in the flower beds in preference to the spade ; it is less 

 labour, it pulverizes the earth better, and it is less 

 likely to do mischief among unseen roots. A light fork, 

 with three prongs, is best for common use. A four- 

 pronged fork is also good for some purposes. A tulip 

 fork a nice little three-pronged fork, with a handle little 

 more than a foot long is a most useful tool. It is espe- 

 cially handy for ladies, as with it they can fork as much 

 as is necessary, while they stoop over a bed to plant and 

 arrange it. Where the ground is large enough to require 

 a large assortment of tools, a leaf fork will be found 

 handy : it is a large four-pronged fork, made of wood, 

 shod with iron, and it will enable one person to take up 

 more leaves than two can without its help, as it is large 

 and light, and the leaves do not fix to it as to a common 

 fork. One trowel will be enough ; it should be kept 

 clean and bright, and it will have plenty of work to do. 



A large garden will require a good water-engine. For 

 it to work well and last well, the workmanship must be 

 very good, and therefore it is a dear thing to buy. 

 A good one will cost several pounds. The hydropult is a 

 water-engine, the pipe of which can be placed in a tank, 

 or in a vessel of water ; its cost is two guineas, and there 

 is one of smaller size for 35s., which a lady can \vork. 

 It is sold by E. N. Button, 27, Leadenhall Street, Lon- 

 don, E.G. ; it is recommended by all the leading horti- 

 cultural periodicals, and it works very well. Some at a 

 lower price have been advertised, but in the purchase of 

 a thing which should last for years, I doubt the economy 

 of buying a less efficient article, because it is cheap. The 

 hydropult works until the reservoir is exhausted. Water- 

 ing-pots are made of all shapes and sizes. The roses of 

 some should be finely perforated that the watering may 

 the more nearly resemble rain. Besides common water- 

 ing-pots of all sizes, there are long spouted watering- 

 pots for watering the plants on the shelves of a green- 



