HOW 
85 TO WORK 
only to note here that the spading fork is a far 
better tool than the spade; some gardeners 
never use a spade. The spading-fork is easier 
to use and breaks the soil much better. 
The seeder, attached to the wheel-hoe, is 
also a saver of labor and of seed: it makes the 
rows quite straight, so that they are easy to 
keep free from weeds; it drops the seeds at 
even distances and if your soil is as fine as it 
should be, it covers them all just deep enough— 
provided you have learned to fix the gauges 
right to start on. 
Combination tools, those that do several 
different things, sometimes work well, but they 
usually get out of repair quickly, and are apt to 
puzzle the beginner. Get the best and simplest 
form of the tool you want, and keep it always in 
condition for use. Tools that are not cleaned 
after use are spreaders of disease. Cleanliness 
prevents and cures. See to it that your culti- 
vating tools, your harvesting baskets and bags, 
and your storage bins are thoroughly cleaned, 
and you will soon discourage the bugs. They 
will regard you as cold and unsympathetic, 
and your garden as a place to be avoided. 
Don’t be afraid to use manure, both stable 
and green, and when you must, use commercial 
fertilizer. But this is expensive and is only 
