A MODEL WORKSHOP AND SOME USEFUL ARTICLES. 



393 



lumps in place so that they are more effectually 

 ground by the teeth. The driver will usually be 

 willing to ride if the weight is not sufficient without. 

 If a boat were to be made especially for the pur- 



Fig. 5. Fig. 7. 



pose, it would be better to have it wider than a com- 

 mon stone-boat, in order to accomplish more work 

 and cover the tracks made by the horses' feet. 



Fig. 6 represents a stone-fork, an exceedingly 

 useful tool, and which deserves a wider reputation. 

 Manufacturers would be rendering good service to 

 put such a fork generally on the market. It is 

 made with six short, heavy tines, close together, 

 and is very convenient in throwing small stones, 

 corn-stubbles, cabbage stumps, or any sort of rub- 

 bish on to a wagon or boat in clearing ground for 

 a fine crop. One active man with such a fork in 

 his hands to throw out the loose stones can often do 

 more to improve the public road than a gang of 

 men and teams with plows and scrapers will do in 

 double the time. 



At Fig. 7 is shown a small garden hoe made 

 from a piece of old buck-saw, to which is riveted a 

 pronged shank, which any blacksmith can readily 

 make. This is very useful among small plants in 

 soft ground. It is not only light and convenient. 



but the teeth are also an aid in cutting weeds close 

 to the plants. 



Fig. 8 illustrates a device for dropping seeds, 

 which is of more interest to the elderly men who 

 find it hard to stoop down and work. The part 

 reaching the ground, which is fitted into the bottom 

 of the box, is made of two strips of wood grooved 

 out on one side and fastened together, forming a 

 tube through which the seed drops. Carrying the 

 tool in the hand, the number of seeds that are 

 wanted in a hill is pushed in with the thumb, which 

 remains over the opening, preventing the escape of 

 more seeds till the next hill is reached. The cover- 

 ing is usually done with the foot. This tool was de- 

 vised before the introduction of the patent corn 

 planters, now so common, and which largely take 



Fig. 6. 



its place. One advantage which it has over them is 

 that it can be used for small seeds of any kind 

 wanted in hills, as well as for large ones. 



Pcmisvlvania. Fred W. Card. 



3 Call^l^l\^^.^ for instance, ii- ai'way^ irrocjtifar; an^ to 

 u£;o voqut'avity in paiutiiui, or ^larDopina, \\\ni[^ make our 

 work uiuiaturat' oiu"^ ^^i"aqrooalH'c. 



-Shenstone. 



