CHAP. II. IMPLEMENTS AND UTENSILS. 3fr 



A far more ornamental way of elevating plants a little above 

 the surrounding level of the ground, if that be the object, and 

 one that may be made far more effective for drainage during 

 the rains, is to lay bricks side by side, with half their length 

 sunk in the earth in the form of a circle, so as to present the 

 appearance of the mouth of a well. Fill this up with earth and 

 put the plant in the centre. For the same purpose beer-bottles 

 with their necks downwards may also be employed. To my 

 eye the bottles have not a very pleasing appearance ; though 

 they certainly look neat, and are now much used in Calcutta 

 for edgings to borders. 



IMPLEMENTS AND UTENSILS. 



The implements of gardening used by the malee need be little 

 more than mentioned, as they are too well known to require a 

 lengthened description. 



KODALEE. The implement that serves for the same purpose 

 as the spade, but having the blade at right angles to the handle, 

 and used in the same way as the pickaxe. It is highly impor- 

 tant that this instrument should be examined when new, as well 

 as every now and then afterwards, and if found to be at all blunt, 

 be sent to the blacksmith to be sharpened. With a sharp edge 

 as much work may be done in a couple of hours as would other- 

 wise take a whole day ; and far more easily and efficiently. 



PnAoEA. The mattock, similar to the pickaxe, but with the 

 iron ends broad instead of pointed. 



XOOEPEE. An implement resembling a very broad-edged 

 chisel, serves in the hands of a malee all the purposes of a hoe, 

 as well as for digging round plants previous to removal : prin- 

 cipally used in the North- West Provinces. 



NEEINEE. An implement somewhat different from the last 

 in the form of the blade, and much more slender, but used in 

 Bengal for the same purposes. 



The SPADE and SHOVEL might be found useful on occasions; 

 but except near Calcutta, they are implements with the use of 

 which the natives are little familiar. 



The BAKE. This, when procurable, is a most desirable imple- 

 ment for keeping the borders neat and clean. The malee very 

 soon familiarises himself with the use of it. 



