50 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



as shown in the figure. The smaller end of this slightly-ta- 

 pering eye-band stands inward, with a very slight inclination 

 toward the edge, or downward, to give set to the blade. This 

 hoe has almost no capacity for ordinary work, where force upon 

 the edge is required. Its advantages are that it may be pre- 

 pared for use in a moment by slipping it downward to the butt 

 of a tapering handle, or smoothly-dressed light bean-pole, and 

 that its peculiar lightness, size, &c., enables an ambidextrous 

 workman to hill more rapidly than with any other hoe in all 

 loose soils tolerably free from stones. Inferior iron-bladed hoes 

 of this description are worthless. 



Fig. 39. 



Goose-necked steel Garden-hoe. 



The goose-necked steel garden-hoe, Fig. 39, long and exten- 

 sively known as Tuttle's patent, is probably perfect for its pur- 

 poses, no essential change having been found desirable in its 

 material or form from the first, though of late attempts have 

 been made to improve it as a hilling-hoe by welding the goose- 

 bill more nearly upon the back edge of the blade, and lessen- 

 ing the curve; but it loses value as a garden-hoe by the 

 change. In its original and proper shape, it has a forged and 

 polished steel blade, slightly incurved, welded to an iron goose- 

 necked shank, which is firmly keyed into a rather light han- 

 dle about four feet long, the tapered end of which is sheathed 

 and secured by a sufficient iron ferule. The blade is lessened 

 a little in width from the edge backward, and by beating out 

 portions of the back part of the blade toward the ends, two 

 wings are formed, rising slightly above the neck of the shank, 

 between which, thus spread, the goose-bill is welded to the 

 blade, being set in a little toward its centre. By this ar- 

 rangement the direction of the force in using it is so balanced 

 that, whether the stroke be made with the centre or corner of 



