EXPLANATION 



OP THE 



PliATE. 



Figure 1. VINE-SHEmS. 



These shears were invented by M. de Molleville, and have receiv- 

 ed such improvements through the late Edme Regnier, that the 

 pruning-hook, not one of the disadvantages of which belong to the 

 shears, is now entirely supplanted by them . 



The instrument, on the principle of a pair of nippers or pincers, 

 is composed of two handles, a a, one of which terminates at top in a 

 curved or hooked slope b, and the other in a cutting blade of tem- 

 pered steel. By means of the double steel spring, d d, the branches 

 of the shears are kept open ; to assist in closing them, a loop, passed 

 through a hole in the end of the handle, is jerked by the hand of the 

 operator. 



A. The instrument closed. 



B. The same open ,• by closing the branches a a, the blade c, cuts 

 through the wood, shoot, or stem, against the slope b, with the 

 cleanness and certainty of a sharp knife, without giving any shock to 

 the plant. It sells at the price^of five francs, and is to be had in 

 all directions. 



Figure II. qUENTIN DURmO S GIRDLER. 



With this instrument girdling can be performed without danger to 

 the plant, and with certainty of neatness and precision ; also with the 

 saving of half the time. 



A. The instrument in front. 



B. A side view. 



It has steel blades, a ; two cutting edges, crescent-shaped j a guard 

 to prevent the edges from cutting too deep ; and springs to regu- 



