4<D VEGETABLE GARDENING 



an old file and a piece of buggy spoke for a handle. The 

 file is heated and then bent into the form shown in the 

 illustration. The blade may be sharpened by any con- 

 venient method, but can be very quickly done on an 

 emery stone. This tool is useful in thinning as well as 

 in weeding, since it saves much of the time required to 

 pull every surplus plant. 



74. Care of tools and implements. Care largely deter- 

 mines the value and durability of tools and implements. 

 All classes of farmers will do well to observe the follow- 

 ing instructions: (i) Keep tools and implements under 

 cover when not in use; (2) paint every year or two; (3) 

 keep in good repair ; (4) keep a wrench at hand when at 

 work in the field, for all the parts must be tight ; (5) clean 

 the metal parts before storing; (6) some tools, as hoes, 

 require frequent sharpening, so it is an advantage to keep 

 a file in the field for this purpose; (7) a place for every 

 tool when not in use saves time and prevents annoyance. 



