AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 25 



called a spade-fork (Fig. 50, p. 54). The depth of digging, in 

 experienced hands, seldom exceeds ten inches, and the inexpe- 

 rienced will rarely go so deep. A careless digger will some- 

 times make the thickness of his spade-slice equal to its depth, 

 and, in consequence, will very imperfectly move much of the 

 lower portion of it. As a general rule, let the thickness of the 

 slice be equal to half the length of the blade you use, and the 

 work will probably be well done. 



If the handle of the implement used be not too long (Fig. 37, 

 p. 48), digging affords perhaps the very perfection of bodily ex- 

 ercise for the convalescing invalid or the dyspeptic. It gives 

 exercise to the chest and abdomen, and calls almost every mus- 

 cle of the body into action, yet is so entirely measurable in its 

 degree that it may become the amusement of a child or a task 

 for a strong man. 



, As with the plow, so with the spade, land may be properly 

 dug or ridged in the fall, even though it be pretty wet. But 

 in the spring the earth should not be dug when the surface is 

 wet, nor until, on being turned up, the body of the soil is found 

 friable. The first spring digging in the garden should be 

 roughly but effectually done, no care being taken to break it up 

 smaller than " egg coal" or " rubble." After lying in this 

 state till it is warmed through, it will be found an advantage 

 to " chop it over" as deeply as possible, either with the hoe or 

 potato-hook. It may then be roughly raked preparatory to the 

 second digging, or, if it be clear of stones and bad weed-roots, 

 this raking may be omitted. 



When dug a second time, in preparation for the seed or 

 plants, let the digging be more carefully performed, and the 

 soil well pulverized in the process. If afterward, from the oc- 

 currence of sudden beating rain, or other cause, it seem desira- 

 ble to repeat the operation of chopping over, let it be done, and 

 having given it a finish with the rake, it will be ready for sow- 

 ing or planting. 



B 



