52 



AMEEICAN HOME GARDEN. 



The missionary hoe (Fig. 42) is simi^ly the thmst hoe with 

 a square frame, and a -ivooJen roller geared ahead of the blade 

 for the pm-pose of " breaking the crust" among young seedling 

 crops. 



It also gauges the cut of the hoe to a uniform depth, thus 

 rendering it an excellent path hoe. In soils clear of stones it 

 ■will do a great deal more work in the same time than either 

 the common garden hoe or the thr'ust hoe. Lr fact, if the soil 

 Ije clear and light, an experienced hand will pass it through 

 foot-rows of young plants, cleaning them thoroughly, at a rate 

 very little slower than an ordinaiy walk. 



However natm-ally the special object of this humble instru- 

 ment might have suggested its name, it was not, in fact, so de- 

 rived ; but the hoe itself was invented by a missionary connect- 

 ed with a company sent to the Osages of Arkansas Territory by 

 the American Board nearly forty years ago. 



TROWELS AND TRANSPLANTER. 

 GAHDEN TROWELS. 



Gai'deu trowels (Figm-es 43 a, b) are taf)ering, half round 



rig « 



1 Ti in pU 



"iarJen Truwil. h. Larger Garden Troivel. 



trowels, of different sizes, which are used whei'e 

 special care is required in removing small 

 plants. The blades should always be of pol- 

 ished steel, and ought not to be suifered to be- 

 come rusty. 



The flower trans]jlanter (Fig. 44) may be re- 

 garded as a pair of trowels loosely hinged to- 

 gether at the edges by a single rivet, so that 

 when thrust down, one on either side of a plant, 

 their points can be braced together, and the 

 ■while root and earth be lifted and transferred 

 to a ne^w ami pre^'iously prepared hole or jDot. 

 The same end may be accomplished with a pair 



