LADIES' GARDEN TOOLS. 17 



with very fine teeth, and the other a size larger, 

 for cleaning the walks when they are raked, and 

 for raking the large stones from the garden bor- 

 ders. A light garden fork is very necessary to 

 take up bulbous or other roots with, as the spade 

 would wound and injure them, whereas they pass 

 safely through the interstices of the fork or prong. 

 A watering-pot is indispensable, and a hoe. Two 

 trowels are likewise necessary : one should be of a 

 tolerable size, to transplant perennial and biennial 

 flower roots ; the other should be pointed and small, 

 to transplant the more delicate roots of anemones, 

 bulbs, &c. 



The pruning-knife must be always sharp, and, in 

 shape it should bend a little inwards, to facilitate 

 cutting away straggling or dead shoots, branches, 

 &c. The " avroncator" lately so much in request, 

 is an admirable instrument ; but it is expensive, 

 and of most importance in shrubberies, where 

 heavy branches are to be cut away. The Sieur 

 Louis d'Auxerre, who wrote a work upon garden- 

 ing in 1706, has a sketch of the avroncator of the 

 present day, which he designates as caterpillar 

 shears. 



A light pair of shears, kept always in good 

 order, is necessary to keep privet or laurel hedges 

 properly clipped ; and a stout, deep basket must be 

 deposited in the tool-shed, to contain the weeds 

 and clippings. These are the only tools absolute- 

 ly essential to a lady's garden. I have seen a great 

 variety decorating the wall of an amateur tool- 

 house, but they must have been intended for show, 

 not for use. A real artiste, in whatever profession 

 she may engage, will only encumber herself with 

 essentials. All else is superfluous. 



