38 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



more easily performed. An old bedstead would answer the 

 purpose well. In this case the straw being at first placed 

 on both hands, the operator, standing between the stretchers, 

 works backward, and, as soon as there is room for it, the straw 

 is laid immediately before him upon the finished portion of 

 the mat. Care should be taken to lace uniformly, and only 

 moderately tight, otherwise the mat will be rigid, as a too 

 closely-knit sock is harsh. 



Common bass mats, or loose straw, mulch, or salt hay, are 

 often used for covering frames, &c., but the straw mats made 

 as above directed are better and more convenient. 



CHAPTER HI. 



Implements of common Culture from Plow to Dibber. 



IMPLEMENTS OF COMMON CULTURE. 



ANXIOUS to restrict the size of this book, the author would 

 willingly have omitted descriptions of implements, &c., but it 

 was perceived that such a course would leave it very incom- 

 plete. The advancement of civilization is strikingly marked 

 by the improvements in instruments in aid of labor, whether 

 physical or mental. I have, however, limited the number of 

 implements figured, yet giving all that the most successful 

 cultivator really needs. Those who desire to try more will 

 find it easy to make large additions. 



All implements, whether large or small, should be kept clean 

 when not in use, the handles and other wood- work being oiled 

 or painted once a year. 



PLOWS. 



There is no end to 

 the nominal varieties 

 of plows, but Fig. 15, 

 intended to represent 

 the old - fashioned 

 "2^ D" of Wood, 

 common two-horse riow. who was the original 



