52 



AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



The missionary hoe (Fig. 42) is simply the thrust hoe with 

 a square frame, and a wooden roller geared ahead of the blade 

 for the purpose of " breaking the crust" among young seedling 

 crops. 



It also gauges the cut of the hoe to a uniform depth, thus 

 rendering it an excellent path hoe. In soils clear of stones it 

 will do a great deal more work in the same time than either 

 the common garden hoe or the thrust hoe. In fact, if the soil 

 be clear and light, an experienced hand will pass it through 

 foot-rows of young plants, cleaning them thoroughly, at a rate 

 very little slower than an ordinary walk. 



However naturally the special object of this humble instru- 

 ment might have suggested its name, it was not, in fact, so de- 

 rived ; but the hoe itself was invented by a missionary connect- 

 ed with a company sent to the Osages of Arkansas Territory by 

 the American Board nearly forty years ago. 



TROWELS AND TRANSPLANTER. 

 GARDEN TROWELS. 



Garden trowels (Figures 43 a, 6) are tapering, half round 



Fig. 43. 



Fig. 44. 



a. Smaller Garden Trowel. 6. Larger Garden Trowel. 



trowels, of different sizes, which are used where 

 special care is required in removing small 

 plants. The blades should always be of pol- 

 ished steel, and ought not to be suffered to be- 

 come rusty. 



The flower transplanter (Fig. 44) may be re- 

 garded as a pair of trowels loosely hinged to- 

 gether at the edges by a single rivet, so that 

 when thrust down, one on either side of a plant, 

 their points can be braced together, and the 

 whole root and earth be lifted and transferred 

 to a new and previously prepared hole or pot. 

 Flower Transplanter. The same end may be accomplished with a pair 



