Parallel Rods. 



669 



It is best to use it on a calm day. I would not apply it in 

 pruning fruit trees, notwithstanding shears have been recom- 

 mended for summer-pruning gooseberry and currant bushes, 

 by no mean authority. I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



Thainston, Abei'deenshire, July^ 1831. Wm. Taylor. 



Art. XIV. A Description of a useful Garden Implement termed 

 Parallel Rods, designed Jor marhing Parallel Lines o?i Beds. By 

 its Inventor, Mr. William Godsall. 



Sir, 



I HAVE had made what I consider a useful instrument to 



facilitate the planting of ranunculuses and tulips, and for 



various other similar purposes. I call it " parallel rods : " it 



is made of deal, and costs me about three shillings, a and b 



142 



{^g. 142.) are two rods, 6 ft. long and 2 in. wide. Into a, 

 two strips, 14 in. long, are firmly mortised, at right angles, 

 these pass through b ; and by means of wooden pins the rods 

 are secured at the required distance apart, c is the handle, 

 fixed to a, at a right angle. 



When the bed is raked level, and edged, I leave the neces- 

 sary margin along the side, and place the rod a where the 

 outside row is to be planted, then slightly press the rods with 

 the foot, which leaves two parallel impressions. I then shift 

 the rods on in a direct line, placing the ends of the rods as a 

 guide, a foot or so along the first marks, and then press them 

 as before; thus repeating it, to the end of the bed; and, in 

 returning, I place the rod a in the mark made by b, till I have 



