FOR YOUNG GARDENERS. 



17 



well, it will leave the soil finer than the plow does. In 

 fact it does the plowing and part of the harrowing. 



To Rake the land, begin at one corner and rake to- 

 wards the center. The rake should be used to level the 

 land and break up the lumps rather than to rake them off. 

 All coarse lumps that do not break up should be buried. 

 Only the stone and very coarse matter should be raked 

 off. When raking, lift the rake slightly when drawing it 

 towards you. As in spading, rake one end first, stand on 

 the spaded land and rake towards you. When smooth 

 and fine, the footprints should be raked out as you pass 

 off the plot. Spading and raking as well as plowing and 

 harrowing are the first principals of tillage. 



In using The Hoe, grasp the handle near the upper 

 end in the right hand, with the back of the hand up. 

 Grasp it with the left hand a foot or more lower down with 

 the back of the hand to the left and the thumb extended 

 along the handle. Avoid a cramped position. Bend the 

 body slightly forward on the hips keeping the back 

 straight. Never lift the hoe higher than the knee. Left- 

 handed persons, and some that are not, will find it easier 

 to have the left hand at the top. In this case the back of 

 the right hand should be to the right and the thumb along 

 the handle. These are correct positions for hoeing. Bet- 

 ter work can be 

 done and done eas- 

 ier if one of these 

 positions is always 

 used. If the regu- 

 lar 4 feet 10 inch 

 hoe handle is used, 

 the child should 

 grasp the handle 

 from 12 to 18 inches 

 from the end. 



The Rake is held 



similar to the hoe 

 A corner in the tool room. 

 Cut loaned by Doubleday, Page & Co. 



