VII 



STOCKS 



109 



else afterwards. In a short time it is more fitted for 

 a scarecrow than a parson, but my craze is known, and 

 I keep to the fields. An old hat capable of protecting 

 the ears is necessary, for you must get your head into 

 the very thick of it ; and strong boots and gaiters will 

 of course be required. One other article of dress is 

 wanted : even if not used for pruning, strong thick 

 gloves are necessary for stock-getting, for there are no 

 thorns in England like the curved scimitars of Rosa 

 canina. Summer thorns may be disregarded, for whilst 

 they are green they are fairly pliable and soft : in 

 winter they are as hard and sharp as steel, and as brittle 

 as glass. Get the white stiff hedger's gloves at the 

 village shop, made I believe of horse-skin : they are 

 very hard and uncomfortable at first, but become more 

 supple by use. 



For instruments, first and most useful is the 

 " Grecian " pruning draw-saw, which might perhaps 

 be kept in a sheath attached to a waist-belt, though I 

 have always simply carried it. Next in importance is 

 a small stock axe : I have quite a miniature one which 

 was made on purpose for me and can be used with one 

 hand : all digging can be done with this, and there is 

 no use for a spade. A pruning-knife and strong 

 secateurs or pruning-shears in the pocket complete the 

 equipment. It is here, I suspect, in his instruments, 

 that the amateur has such an advantage over the 

 professional stock-getter. It is impossible to do justice 

 to this, the very first step in successful Rose cultivation, 

 with a spade, a bill-hook, and a full-sized stock axe. 

 It is very difficult to strike accurately with the last- 

 named tool in a thick place, and many is the fine stock 

 that is grievously injured by a hasty stroke turned 

 aside by a twig, and I am sorry to say sometimes 



