40 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



an old file and a piece of buggy spoke for a handle. The 

 file is heated and then bent into the form of a hook. The 

 blade may be sharpened by any convenient method, but 

 can be very quickly done on an emery stone. This tool 

 is useful in thinning as well as in weeding, since it saves 

 much of the time required to pull every surplus plant. 

 74. Care of tools and implements. — Care largely deter- 

 mines the value and durability of tools and implements. 

 All classes of farmers will do well to observe the follow- 

 ing instructions : ( i ) Keep tools and implements under 

 cover v/hen not in use; (2) paint every year or two; (3) 

 keep in good repair ; (4) keep a wrench at hand when at 

 work in the field, for all the parts must be tight; (5) clean 

 the metal parts before storing; (6) some tools, as hoes, 

 require frequent sharpening, so it is an advantage to keep 

 a file in the field for this purpose; (7) a place for every 

 tool when not in use saves time and prevents annoyance. 



