ON IIIGII-PRICED LAND 89 



as to the use and care of every garden tool I own. 

 They are never left lying about, never permitted to 

 get wet and are wiped off carefully after each using 

 of them. 



As no hired help can be trusted in this respect, 

 I never fail at the close of each day to examine my 

 collection of tools, hunting up any that are missing 

 and cleaning such as need it. I cleaned all my wheel 

 hoe implements thoroughly, greased the bright parts 

 with bacon rind and stored away the whole in a dry 

 place for the winter. I shall pursue exactly the same 

 course with all my other garden tools as soon as I am 

 through using them for the season. As a result I shall 

 find everything in fine order for work the next spring. 

 It is easier and cheaper to keep tools in good order in 

 this w^ay than it is to put them in order by hours of 

 hard work when the tools are needed. 



To work with rusty, foul, dull tools nearly doubles 

 the labor, besides hindering the progress of the job in 

 hand. Besides, the tools last longer. I consider this 

 matter one of great importance not only to the gar- 

 dener, but to the farmer. With the average farmer 

 the proper housing and caring for all his farming and 

 harvesting implements, or leaving them to the mercy 

 of the elements the livelong year, in the long run 

 means a profit or loss in his farming operations. These 

 things cost too much to be allowed to rust and rot 

 through gross neglect. I am giving this lecture regard- 

 less of the objections of the implement manufacturers. 

 They, doubtless, will say if all follow my example their 

 trade would fall off. Of course it would ; but you and 

 I are not working for the manufacturers, unless we 

 neglect our tools, in which case we serve them for 

 nothing and board ourselves as well. 



