204 
GARDEN IMPLEMENTS. 
The tools (implements) used in the application of art to the practice of cultiva- 
tion in the various branches of g-ardenicg are so numerous, and with many, 
comparatively speaking-, little understood, that we have thought a page now and, 
then of our Magazine devoted to an explanation of them, with their application, 
could not prove otherwise than useful to many of our readers. Not to say but every 
one who has noticed the routine operations in the kitchen garden, and the less 
uniform performances in the flower garden, must be well aware of the purposes to 
which the spade, the rake, and the dibble are appropriated, and that the hand-shears 
and slashing-hook are justly necessary to keep the thorn hedge bordering the park, 
and box-edging encircling the flower-clump, within due limits ; but there are others 
less generally known, whose uses are not so frequently called for, still all are 
essential to the efiicient accomplishment of the purposes to which they apply. 
Nor does it appear more necessary to point them out by letter-press explanations, 
and wood-cut illustrations, in order that each may be properly understood, than to 
bring before a numerous body of readers (friends to horticulture) the many and 
great improvements that have been effected, in many instances, in the design and 
make of tools, by which the labour of the operative has been lessened, and the work 
carried on with proportionately increased facility. 
In the early or primary age of gardening, when looked upon solely as an art of 
culture, and that of the simplest character, we necessarily conclude that the number 
and character of the required implements would be very limited and simple ; merely 
consisting of a few tools for breaking and regulating the surface of the ground for 
the reception of the seed, and a few implements for thinning and otherwise dressing 
the trees or storing their produce. 
How different is the present state of the art I how infinite in size and shape are 
the agents employed ! how equally diversified are the shades of culture to which they 
apply, all tributary assistants tending to advance that noble end — improvement in 
horticulture and its sister agriculture ; pursuits which every day are absorbing more 
and more of the attention and study of the British population. 
The following diagrams representing implements in common use for horticul- 
tural purposes, may be classed under the head " Tools which also comprises the 
hoe, rake, &c. Diagrams of the latter will afterwards be given. 
Fig. 1. The spade, as will be seen in the diagram, consists of two parts, viz., 
the blade, which is made of plate iron and which is riveted on the upper part ; the 
handle, which is usually made of ash-timber, for which purpose choice is made of the 
root-cut, as being more tough and durable. They are employed httle or more in 
almost every performance in the garden, but their chief use is to break up the soil 
previous to planting or sowing it ; they are also indispensable agents in making up 
edgings, as well as for many purposes of husbandry, &c. They are manufactured of 
different sizes, generally with a flat blade, although semicircular and perforated 
blades are sometimes prized, on account of the soil, if adhesive, freeing from them 
