40 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
signed for the removal of small weeds from the onion 
row, and is in use in some of the commercial onion fields. 
The tools shown in Figure 7 are very generally used. 
The Garrahan weeder (left side of Figure 7, center) is a 
homemade device of special value. It is easily made from 
an old file and a piece of buggy spoke for a handle. The 
file is heated and then bent into the form of a hook. The 
blade may be sharpened by any convenient method, but 
can be very quickly done on an emery stone. This tool 
is useful in thinning as well as in weeding, since it saves 
much of the time required to pull every surplus plant. 
74. Garden tractors. — During the past few years, many 
small tractors have been developed, particularly for use 
in market gardening and other intensive farming opera- 
tions. The smallest type of these implements is used 
principally for cultivating, the larger sizes for hilling, 
harrowing and work that requires greater power, while 
the largest types may be used for plowing on mellow 
soils, and cultivating with riding attachments. 
74a. Care of tools and implements. — Care largely deter- 
mines the value and durability of tools and implements. 
All classes of farmers will do well to observe the follow- 
ing instructions: (1) Keep tools and implements under 
cover when not in use ; (2) paint every year or two ; (3) 
keep in good repair; (4) keep a wrench at hand when at 
work in the field, for all the parts must be tight ; (5) clean 
and oil the metal parts before storing; (6) some tools, 
as hoes, require frequent sharpening, so it is an ad- 
vantage to keep a file in the field and an emery wheel 
at the toolhouse for this purpose; (7) a place for every 
tool when not in use saves time and prevents annoyance. 
