l,bl. AiniFlCIAL KOKMATIO.N <>r WOODS. 



inverted truncated cone, wliicli has in frniit an openin*; 

 sufficient to admit two fingers, and l)eliind, just above its 

 upper edge, a small horizontal plate up to which the spade 

 should be inserted. One of the edges of the front opening is 

 sharp, the other blunt. The diameter at the lower end 

 ranges from 2 to 5 inches, according to the desii-ed size of 

 the ball ; the diameter at the upper end is from i to I 

 larger, thus producing the shape of an inverted truncated cone 

 with a circular cross section. The handle and the cross bar 

 or crutch at the top are best made of wood and not of iron, 

 because the tool is lighter and the crutch not so cold. The 

 crutch is firmly attached to the handle by means of three iron 

 bands, as seen in the illustration ; these are firmly fastened to 

 the spade. The best length of the crutch is about 20 inches, 

 and its thickness such as just to fill the hand of the labourer. 

 The length of the handle depends on the height of the 

 labourer, but it should not l>e so long as to prevent the man 

 from using the weight of his body in driving the spade into 

 the ground. 



In using the spade the stem of the plant which is to be 

 lifted is passed through the front opening until it occupies the 

 centie of the spade ; then the latter is pressed down vertically 

 until the plate at th(i l)ack touches the surface of the soil; it is 

 then turned round by means of the crutch from 180 to 8G0 

 degrees, and lifted with ball and plant out of the ground ; 

 holding it then with the left hand, the ball and plant are 

 pushed out towards the handle with the middle finger of the 

 right hand, which glides along the ])lunt edge; of the front 

 opening; if necessary, especially wluni using a larger sized 

 spade, two fingers are used. 



The circular spade is used of various dimensions, with a 

 minimum diameter of 2 inches at the small end. Spades of 

 more than 5 inches diameter cannot be recommended, as the 

 balls are either not severed at the bottom or. even if severed, 

 do not come out with the spade, but remain /// sifn. l^ven 

 small spades demand a fairly binding soil, or (dse they will 



