TOOLS AND THEIll USES. 29 



the harrow and "back it." This will generally make the 

 surface fine, but if not, go once more over with the teeth 

 and again with the back of the harrow. When the 

 ground is in fit condition to work, it can be made suffi- 

 ciently fine and even by skillful "back-harrowing," to 

 admit of sowing nearly all kinds of seeds, but occasion- 

 ally to get a bed in prime order the surface must be well 

 raked. 



Cultivator, The " harrow-tooth " cultivator is requisite 

 in garden crops while the plants are small. 



Afterward, the "broad-toothed" or any of the im- 

 proved styles may be used, always going twice each way. 



Always bear in mind that the " cultivator " is better to 

 prevent than to destroy weeds, so commence early and re- 

 peat often ; never wait until the weeds can be seen. 



HOC. The operation of hoeing is, in gardening, a very 

 important one. 



It is necessary to hoe deep to loosen the soil ; and 

 thoroughly pulverize it to effectually destroy young 

 weeds. 



A steel-toothed rake may be used in the manner of a 

 hoe to advantage in disturbing the soil before the weeds 

 get any start, which, by the way, should never be allowed. 

 The " pronged hoe " is effectual in loosening the soil and 

 preventing the weeds growing; taken in time, more 

 work can be done with one than with a common hoe in the 

 same time. The " push or scuffle hoe " is very useful for 

 loosening the surface soil, between rows of small plants 

 before the other hoes can be used, and some crops can be 

 worked almost entirely with them. They are also useful 

 in cleaning ground for a second crop. Sizes vary from four 

 to twelve inches, all of which are useful. 



Spade. Spade cultivation is no longer considered the 

 one great point in gardening. Henderson very truthfully 

 remarks, " No digging in the ordinary way can pulverize 



