50 MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 



it has changed my view of the desirableness 

 and value of human life. It has, in fact, 

 made life a holiday to me. It is made on 

 the principle that man is an upright, sen- 

 sible, reasonable being, and not a grovelling 

 wretch. It does away with the necessity 

 of the hinge in the back. The handle is 

 seven and a half feet long. There are two 

 narrow blades, sharp on both edges, which 

 come together at an obtuse angle in front ; 

 and as you walk along with this hoe before 

 you, pushing and pulling with a gentle mo- 

 tion, the weeds fall at every thrust and 

 withdrawal, and the slaughter is immediate 

 and wide-spread. When I got this hoe I 

 was troubled with sleepless mornings, pains 

 in the back, kleptomania with regard to new 

 weeders; when I went into my garden I 

 was always sure to see something. In this 

 disordered state of mind and body I got 

 this hoe. The morning after a day of using 

 it I slept perfectly and late. I regained 

 my respect for the eighth commandment. 

 After two doses of the hoe in the garden, 



