116 



Large cobble stones, of the size of a bushel 

 basket, laid close around a newly set tree, are 

 quite as good as stakes. 



Tools , Materials, fyc. Many and various 

 tools and materials are employed in horticul- 

 tural labor. The Tree-scraper is used for 

 taking off moss and rough bark, from un- 

 healthy or large trees. The Pruning-knife 

 is a large hooked jack-knife, for cutting off 

 the smaller limbs, in pruning. There are 

 several kinds of -Pruning-saws ; some are 

 narrow, so that they may be used to make a 

 curved cut ; some are contrived to be fitted 

 upon a pole, so as to cut limbs not otherwise 

 easily accessible. A common small handsaw 

 will answer nearly every purpose. The 

 Budding-knife is used for budding; the 

 Grafting-chisel, for grafting. The Nursery- 

 shears are used for pruning limbs of the size 

 of the finger and smaller. A modification of 

 these, called an averruncator by the English, 

 may be attached to a pole and worked by 

 means of a cord. These are sometimes used 

 in cutting scions, clearing off caterpillars' eggs, 

 or, with a little basket attached, in gathering 

 a fine specimen of fruit, not easily to be come 

 at by other means ; when made quite strong, 



