DAISY RAKE. 



146 



DAPHNE. 



iron is then pressed against the ground, 

 and acts as a fulcrum, on which the cleft 

 end is raised when the handle is pressed 

 downwards. The raising of the cleft end 

 lifts the daisy out of the ground. It is 

 sometimes used to remove docks and dande- 

 lions, but it is not so effectual for these 



SHORT FORM OF DAISY FORK. 



weeds, which have long tap roots which are 

 firmly secured to the ground, and generally 

 break when an attempt is made to lift the 

 plant. Daisies, and indeed all weeds, are 

 more easily removed in wet weather, or 

 after a shower, than when the ground is 

 dry. 



Daisy Rake. 



A daisy rake is very easily made. Its 

 form and construction is shown in the 

 annexed wood engraving. First of all a 

 thin plate of iron is obtained, and cut 

 into broad teeth along one edge : the iron 



DAISY RAKE. 



should be just so thick as not to bend 

 easily to pressure or any resistance. Two 

 slips of ash are then cut out, each being of 

 the length of the iron, and about f inch in 

 thickness and 2 inches wide. These are 



bevelled towards the inner edge the upper 

 one but slightly, and the other to the thick- 

 ness of inch. The iron is placed between 

 them, and the two pieces of wood and the 

 iron are all firmly fastened together by stout 

 screws or rivets. A handle is then put 

 into the rake, as shown in the illustration. 

 Holes should be drilled through the iron 

 plate to admit of the passage of the rivets 

 and handle. The teeth of the rake should 

 be slightly bent upwards, or, in other words, 

 slightly curved. 



Damping off. 



When the leaves, flowers, or stems of 

 plants decay prematurely and present 

 a rotten and mildewed appearance, they 

 are said to "damp off." This damp- 

 ing off is sometimes caused, by too much 

 moisture irT the air, or an excess of water 

 given to the roots. Over watering when 

 the plants have been kept too dry is some- 

 times the cause. Too low a temperature 

 will often occasion it, and then the obvious 

 course is to raise the temperature. The 

 transfer of the plants which are thus 

 affected to fresh soil will sometimes check 

 it, but this can by no means be regarded 

 as a sure and effectual remedy. 



Dandelions, to Kill. 



Cut the tops off in the spring, and place 

 a pinch of salt, or a little gas-tar, on the 

 fresh wound. It must be borne in mind 

 that the root of the dandelion, when boiled 

 down, makes an excellent tonic especially 

 useful in liver complaints. Further, the 

 young shoots of the dandelion may be 

 rendered available for salads, by treating 

 roots in winter in the manner described 

 for chicory, which see. 



Daph'lie (nat. ord. Thymela'cese). 



Beautiful shrubs, remarkable for the 

 elegance of their flowers and for their 

 bright red poisonous berries. Daphne 



