BEST LAWN TOOLS AND THEIR USE 127 



are set in long handles, the knives working 

 upward and downward, can be used very 

 easily and any irregularity or unevenness of 

 the surface or the edge itself is easily followed 

 and the grass trimmed off accurately. 



Even in small gardens it is worth while to 

 invest in a pair of edging shears rather tlian 

 the spring shears sometimes referred to as 

 sheep shears, which are frequently used by 

 suburbanites, not only for trimming, but even 

 for cutting the entire surface. Work with 

 this tool is laborious, and, except for trim- 

 ming, will result in an irregular patchy job. 



The sheep shears should, however, form 

 part of the equipment of the lawn tool outfit. 

 They are really necessary for finishing off 

 in angles of buildings or the borders of for- 

 mal beds, and especially for trimming after 

 the mower close up to the trunks of trees or 

 masses of shrubbery where it is not possible 

 to run the machine. Particular care should 

 be exercised to keep the lawn mower 

 well clear of the bases of trees or overhang- 

 ing branches of shrubberies which skirt the 

 lawn. In the one case there is danger of 

 "barking" the trees from the projecting parts 

 of the mower, and it is utterly impossible to 



