446 



THE PARKS AND GARDENS OF PARIS. [Chap. XXV. 



recommended. It is said that this form of spring secures an easy 

 and gentle action of the instrument, and has the advantage of 

 lasting longer than others, from not being so liable to break, 

 while it secures a firmness and evenness in working which is not 

 otherwise attained. A further imi^rovement is pointed out in the 

 fastening, which consists of a stop that catches when the two 

 handles meet, a projecting portion on the outside acting as a 

 spring which is to be pressed when the instrument is required 

 to be opened. Then there is the secateur of older date than the 

 preceding, the one more generally used. It is much employed at 

 Montreuil. There can be no doubt that where much pruning 

 of any kind is done, and particularly pruning of a rather rough 



The Secateur Lccointe. 



The CoDimoH Sccate 



nature, the secateur is a valuable implement. For pruning in 

 which great nicety of cutting is required a good and properly- 

 shaped knife is best. The secateur was invented by M. Bertrand 

 of Molleville. 



The Eaidisseur. — This is the name for the little wire-straining 



implement which plays such 

 a very important part in 

 wiring garden - walls, or 

 erecting trellises for fruit- 

 growing in France. It is 

 an implement which, though insignificant in itself, is calcu- 

 lated to make a vast improvement in our gardens and on our 



The Raidisseiir. 



