GENERAL PRACTICE. EDGE TOOLS. 



221 



Of other tools for cutting and generally useful purposes in gardens, orchards, and 

 their appurtenances, some are represented in the engravings on page 223. 



Axe. One of a handy size, as the Kent, is indispensable for many purposes, such 

 as cutting and sharpening stakes ; and for felling and cutting up trees the Scotch is 

 useful. The hatchet with claws is convenient in fencing work. The billhook is used 

 for lopping branches, fagoting, cutting wood of small girth, and sharpening stakes. 



Saws. For cutting large limbs, the American saw is very easy and rapid in its 



Fig. 57. THE STANDARD TREE-PRTTNER, BILLHOOK, SAWS, AND AERIAL HOOK. 



References : A, hook (steel) ; B, blade (best steel) ; C, blade screw ; D, wire-rod (steel) ; E, pole (light, strong 

 wood) ; F, clip (malleable iron) ; (7, clip screw ; H, lever (malleable iron) ; I, handle (hardwood); J, switch or bill- 

 hook ; K, straight outward-cutting saw, unattached ; L, curved inward-cutting saw, affixed to pruner hook ; M, aerial 

 hook with barrel-end chiseL 



work, a decided advance on the common hand-saw for green wood. If the latter be 

 used it should be set wide. Pruning saws generally have thick blades with small teeth, 

 preventing their being set wide enough to cut easy. Those with a hook are handy for 

 removing dead wood, thinning spurs and twigs. The key-hole saw is narrow, light, 

 and well-adapted for cutting close to the forks of branches, where a wider blade could 

 not be introduced. It cuts well, is cheap, and an exceedingly useful pruner. The 

 American saw (9), has a spring steel frame, a narrow saw-blade, to ~ inch wide, there- 



