THE HANDLING OF THE LAND 101 
Hand tools for weeding and subsequent tillage and other hand 
work. 
Any of the cultivators and wheel-hoes are as useful for the 
subsequent tilling of the crop as for the initial preparation of 
the land, but there are other tools also that greatly facilitate 
the keeping of the plantation in order. Yet wholly aside from 
the value of a tool as an implement of tillage and as a weapon 
for the pursuit of weeds, is its merit merely as a shapely and 
interesting instrument. A man will take infinite pains to choose 
a gun or a fishing-rod to his liking, and a woman gives her best 
attention to the selecting of an umbrella; but a hoe is only 
a hoe and a rake only a rake. If one puts his personal choice 
into the securing of plants for a garden, so should he discrimi- 
nate in the choice of hand tools, to secure those that are light, 
trim, well made, and precisely adapted to the work to be ac- 
complished. A case of neat garden tools ought to be a great 
joy to a joyful gardener. So I am willing to enlarge on the 
subject of hoes and their kind. 
The hoe. 
The common rectangular-bladed hoe is so thoroughly 
established in the popular mind that it is veLy difficult to 
introduce new patterns, even though ae 
they may be intrinsically superior. As 
a general-purpose tool, it is no doubt 
true that a common hoe is better than 
any of its modifications, but there are NMA 
various patterns of hoe-blades that are 95. Useful forms of hoe 
greatly superior for special uses, and blades. 
which ought to appeal to any quiet soul who loves a garden. 
The great width of the common blade does not admit of its 
being used in very narrow rows or very close to delicate plants, 
and it does not allow of the deep stirring of the soil in narrow 
