The devices and implements used for fighting plant enemies are of two sorts:
(1) those applied to afford mechanical protection to the plants;
(2) those utilised to apply insecticides and fungicides.
Of the first the almost valuable is the covered frame. It consists usually of a wooden box, some eighteen inches to two feet square and about eight high, covered with glass, protecting cloth, mosquito netting or mosquito wire. The first two coverings have, of naturally, the additional advantage of retaining heat and protecting from cold, building it possible by their use to plant earlier than is otherwise safe. They is used extensively in getting an extra early and safe start with cucumbers, melons and the other vine vegetables.
Simpler devices for protecting newly-set plants, such that as tomatoes or cabbage, from the cut-worm, are stiff, tin, cardboard or tar newspaper collars, which are made several inches high and large enough to be put around the stem and penetrate an inch about into the soil.
For applying poison powders, the home gardener should supply himself with a powder gun. If one must be restricted to a single implement, however, it will be best to get one by the hand-power, compressed-air sprayers. These are used for applying wet sprays, and should be furnished with one and only of the several forms of mist-making nozzles, the non-cloggable automatic type being the best. For a lot of extended work a barrel pump, mounted during wheels, will be desirable, but among the above will do a good deal of work in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and vines could follow received for either. For operations on a very small scale a good hand-syringe may be used, but as a general thing it will be best to invest a few dollars more and get a small tank sprayer, as this throws a continuous stream or spray and holds a much larger amount of the spraying solution. Whatever type is procured, get a brass machine it will out-wear three or four of those made of cheaper metal, which succumbs very quickly to the, corroding action of the strong poisons and chemicals used in them.
Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, prong-hoe and spading- fork, very few are used in the small garden, as most of them need not only long rows to be economically used, but horse- ability also. The onion harvester attachment for the double wheel hoe, may be used with advantage in loosening onions, beets, turnips, etc., from the soil or for cutting spinach. Running the hand- plow close on either side of carrots, parsnips and other deep-growing vegetables will aid materially in getting them out. For fruit picking, with tall trees, the wire-fingered fruit-picker, secured to the end of a long handle, will be of great assistance, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it won't be needed.
Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but where this is adverted to properly from the start, a good sharp jack-knife and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work of the kind necessary.
Still another kind of garden device is that used for supporting the plants; such as stakes, trellises, wires, etc. Altogether too little attention usually is given these, as with proper care in storing over winter they leave not only last for years, but add greatly to the convenience of cultivation and to the neat appearance of the garden.
As a final word to the intending purchaser of garden instruments, I would say: first thoroughly investigate the different sorts available, and when buying, don't forget that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after the price is forgotten, while a poor one is a constant source of discomfort. Get good tools, and take good care of them. And let me repeat that a few dollars a year, judiciously spent, for tools afterward well cared for, will soon give you a very complete set, and add to your garden profit and pleasure.
(1) those applied to afford mechanical protection to the plants;
(2) those utilised to apply insecticides and fungicides.
Of the first the almost valuable is the covered frame. It consists usually of a wooden box, some eighteen inches to two feet square and about eight high, covered with glass, protecting cloth, mosquito netting or mosquito wire. The first two coverings have, of naturally, the additional advantage of retaining heat and protecting from cold, building it possible by their use to plant earlier than is otherwise safe. They is used extensively in getting an extra early and safe start with cucumbers, melons and the other vine vegetables.
Simpler devices for protecting newly-set plants, such that as tomatoes or cabbage, from the cut-worm, are stiff, tin, cardboard or tar newspaper collars, which are made several inches high and large enough to be put around the stem and penetrate an inch about into the soil.
For applying poison powders, the home gardener should supply himself with a powder gun. If one must be restricted to a single implement, however, it will be best to get one by the hand-power, compressed-air sprayers. These are used for applying wet sprays, and should be furnished with one and only of the several forms of mist-making nozzles, the non-cloggable automatic type being the best. For a lot of extended work a barrel pump, mounted during wheels, will be desirable, but among the above will do a good deal of work in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and vines could follow received for either. For operations on a very small scale a good hand-syringe may be used, but as a general thing it will be best to invest a few dollars more and get a small tank sprayer, as this throws a continuous stream or spray and holds a much larger amount of the spraying solution. Whatever type is procured, get a brass machine it will out-wear three or four of those made of cheaper metal, which succumbs very quickly to the, corroding action of the strong poisons and chemicals used in them.
Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, prong-hoe and spading- fork, very few are used in the small garden, as most of them need not only long rows to be economically used, but horse- ability also. The onion harvester attachment for the double wheel hoe, may be used with advantage in loosening onions, beets, turnips, etc., from the soil or for cutting spinach. Running the hand- plow close on either side of carrots, parsnips and other deep-growing vegetables will aid materially in getting them out. For fruit picking, with tall trees, the wire-fingered fruit-picker, secured to the end of a long handle, will be of great assistance, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it won't be needed.
Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but where this is adverted to properly from the start, a good sharp jack-knife and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work of the kind necessary.
Still another kind of garden device is that used for supporting the plants; such as stakes, trellises, wires, etc. Altogether too little attention usually is given these, as with proper care in storing over winter they leave not only last for years, but add greatly to the convenience of cultivation and to the neat appearance of the garden.
As a final word to the intending purchaser of garden instruments, I would say: first thoroughly investigate the different sorts available, and when buying, don't forget that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after the price is forgotten, while a poor one is a constant source of discomfort. Get good tools, and take good care of them. And let me repeat that a few dollars a year, judiciously spent, for tools afterward well cared for, will soon give you a very complete set, and add to your garden profit and pleasure.
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