40 OPERATIONS OF GARDENING. PART I. 



TKANSPLANTING-TROWEL. Where much has to be done in 

 the way of transplanting potted plants, particularly seedlings, a 

 thin-blsided slightly-curved blue-steel transplanting-trowel is all 

 but indispensable. After use this should be well wiped and 

 kept scrupulously clean and polished. If allowed to become 

 rusty, in the operation of transplanting the moist earth adheres 

 to it, and considerable injury to the roots of the plant is often 

 the consequence. The thick strong iron transplanting-trowels 

 that are sold in England are of no use here for any purpose 

 that I am aware of. 



FORK-TROWEL, or TRIDENT. A small three-pronged imple- 

 ment, let into a handle similar to that of a trowel, very useful 

 indeed for stirring up the soil of potted plants that has become 

 hardened. 



A hatchet, a saw, shears, pruning-scissors, priming-knife, bud- 

 ding-knife, and grass-cutter, are all indispensable and in constant 

 requisition. 



WATERING-POTS. These, it need hardly be observed, are 

 absolutely indispensable. For watering seedlings that have 

 been lately pricked out, a small can too should be provided, 

 similar to that by which lamps are usually fed with oil, holding 

 not more than a pint. This should have no rose. 



SYRINGE. This implement, usually made of brass, is of the 

 very greatest use, nay all but indispensable, to those who possess 

 many Orchids. I know of no contrivance whereby its work may 

 be done anything like so effectually. 



NETS. In nearly all parts of India nets, when they can be 

 obtained, are of great service for protecting seed-beds, and trees 

 when in fruit, from the ravages of birds. Sometimes old worn- 

 out nets, but quite effectual for the purpose, may be purchased 

 from fishermen at a trifling cost. 



BELL-GLASSES, BO requisite for some kinds of cuttings, are 

 not easily to be procured in India ; but a very good and cheap 

 substitute for them (as described elsewhere) is easily obtainable. 



SCYTHE. This is a very desirable implement when the grass- 

 plot is of considerable extent ; and I have seen it used very 

 deftly by natives in the Eden Garden. But for a lawn, nothing 

 is at all to be compared to a mowing-machine. Mr. W. Stal- 

 kart employs one in his garden at Gooseree, and his lawn was 

 in the most beautiful condition of any I have seen in India. 



