CARE OF THE LITTLE GARDEN 87 



that no garden of large size should be without it. In the very 

 small space, the matter of making turns with the rather long han- 

 dles of a wheel-hoe should be taken into consideration before buy- 

 ing. Trowels and weeders come next on the list of essentials — • 

 for we now think only of tools for working the earth. The best, 

 the most costly trowel that one can buy is the only one to get. 

 Where is the horticultural trial to be compared to the trowel that 

 bends at a critical moment? For forks, hand or weeding-forks, 

 there are five or six types, all excellent. And these are essential 

 for working about the roots of flowers or vegetables. 



Shears for pruning, and grass shears for edging and for cutting 

 away grass next steps or waUs, are necessities. These last are of- 

 fered in two types, American and English; the handle is a steel 

 spring, and the six-inch length is the best for general use. We find 

 that these small hand-shears, though they compel one to assume 

 a kneeling posture, are better to work with than the long-han- 

 dled grass or border-shears. Two rakes are essential — one of iron 

 for making the ground fine after cultivating, and for sharp raking 

 of turf which must occasionally be done; the other of wood, for 

 leaves and general tidying; I might say for lawn-clippings, but 

 the grass should be cut so often as not to require these to be taken 

 up. It is far better management, as a rule, to mow grass so often 

 that all clippings may be allowed to lie, acting as a mulch for 

 roots, especially in dry weather. These clippings will not show if 

 the constant cutting of grass is practised. The lawn-mower is 

 indispensable; and where a place is large enough to require 

 such a little implement, the Capitol lawn-edger, which is a. 

 tiny mower, saves an immense amount of time and labor. 

 In the case of the long-handled tools, it is well to add that 

 there are sets in small sizes, known as ladies' sets, which are light 

 and pleasant to use, especially for a woman; I have always in- 

 dulged in these myself; but I have noticed, too, a certain taste fw 



