OF THE IMPLEMENTS USED IN HORTICULTURE. 



129 



in the hatchet, in which implements, without the dilations at both extre- 

 mities of the handle, as well as in some degree in the middle part, it would 

 be difficult for the operator to bring down an oblique blow with sufficient 

 accuracy. Without the cross-piece or perforated handle of the spade, the 

 operator could not easily lift a spitful or turn it over ; and hence we find, 

 that in using the Flemish and other Continental spades, that have no grasping 

 piece at one end, the operator never attempts to turn over the spitful, but 

 merely throws it from him in such a manner that the surface falls towards 

 the bottom of the furrow. No pruning-knife or hedgebill could be grasped 

 firmly in the hand if it were cylindrical ; and unless these instruments are 

 held firmly, it is impossible to cut obliquely with sufficient precision. The 

 iron of all instruments should be of the best quality, and the cutting edges 

 of blades, and sharp perforating points, should be of steel for greater hard- 

 ness and durability. 



389. Next to the importance of having implements properly constructed, 

 is that of keeping them constantly in good repair. For this purpose the 

 iron or steel parts require to be occasionally sharpened on a grindstone or by 

 other means ; or to have additions of iron or steel welded to them by the 

 blacksmith or cutler. All implements, when not in use, should be kept 

 under cover in an open airy shed or tool-house ; some, as the spade, pick, 

 &c., may rest on the ground ; others, as the scythe, rake, &c., should be 

 suspended on hooks or pins ; and smaller articles, such as trowels, dibbers, 

 &c., placed in a holster rail. This is a rail or narrow board fixed to the 

 wall in a horizontal direction, an inch or two apart from it at the lower 

 edge, and somewhat farther apart at the upper edge. Other small articles 

 may be laid on shelves, and pruning-knives kept in drawers. No imple- 

 ment ought to be placed in the tool-house without being previously 

 thoroughly cleaned ; and all sharp-edged implements, such as the scythe, 

 hedgebill, &c., when laid by and not to be used for some time, should have 

 the blades coated over wdth grease or bees'-wax, and powdered over with 

 lime or chalk to prevent the grease from being eaten off by mice, as well 

 as by combining with it to render it more tenacious, of a firmer consist- 

 ence, and less easily rubbed off. In coating the blade of a scythe or hedge- 

 bill, or the plate of a saw, with w^ax or grease, it should be first gently 

 heated by holding it before a fire ; and afterwards the wax or grease should 

 be rubbed equally over every part of it, and the powdered chalk or lime 

 dusted on before the grease cools. When the instruments are again to be 

 brought into use, the blades should be held before the fire, and afterwards 

 wiped clean with a dry cloth. The same operation of greasing should also 

 be applied to watering-pots laid by for the winter, when these have not been 

 kept thoroughly painted. Every implement ought to have its proper place 

 in the tool-house, to which it should be returned every day when work 

 is left off. In w^ell-ordered establishments, fines are agreed on between the 

 master and his men, to be imposed on all who do not return the tools to their 

 proper places in due time, and properly cleaned. 



Sect. 2. — Tools used in Horticulture. 

 By tools are to be understood implements for performing the commoner 

 manual operations of horticulture, and they may be included under levers, 

 picks, hoes, spades, forks, rakes, and a few others of less consequence. 



390. The common lever^ fig. 12, is a straight bar of wood shod with iron, or 



