14 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



wasted in doing this same work by half a dozen laborious 

 hand operations, and then not nearly as well ! By changing 

 the tool to a wheel hoe, it will hoe the ground between the 

 rows, working close up to them and killing all small weeds; 

 or cultivate it, breaking up the crust if one has formed, and 

 leaving the soil loose and fine; or rake it, creating a dust- 

 mulch on the surface to conserve soil moisture; or plow 

 shallow furrows, in which to put fertilizer or manure, or 

 large seeds; and hill such things as are benefited by having 

 the soil thrown up toward them during their growth. All of 

 these things done more quickly, and in most cases better, 

 than they could be done by hand. 



The double-wheel hoes cost two or three dollars more than 

 the single-wheel type, and have several advantages, par- 

 ticulatly in working crops during the earher stages of 

 growth; and personally I would always spend the small 

 amount additional required to get this type. The double- 

 wheel machine can be used as a single wheel when desired. 

 I never yet met a gardener, large or small, who regretted the 

 money he had spent on a good double-wheel hoe. 



In selecting implements of this kind, there are a number 

 of things to be borne in mind. I have used at various times 

 five different types of seed drills, and some eight or ten of 

 wheel hoes, and I have never yet found any one of either 

 which was best in every respect. The kind of work to be 

 done and the condition of the soil, make a diS'erence; and the 

 personal factor must also be taken into consideration, as I 

 have often found that two men working side by side will 

 prefer different types of tools for doing the same work. Of 

 the things to think of in buying any tool, however, first in 

 importance is the material and the way in which the parts 

 are finished up. A machine that is poorly made and roughly 

 finished will not only wear out sooner, but will not do 

 equally satisfactory work while it does last. Another re- 

 quirement is that the changes may be made quickly and 

 easily. One of the great advantages of an implement of this 

 kind is its great adaptability, and a machine that will rust or 

 get stuck, and be such a nuisance to change that you are 



