The devices and implements used for fighting plant enemies are of
two sorts:
(1) those used to afford mechanical protection to the plants;
(2) those used to apply insecticides and fungicides.
Of the first the most useful 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 course, the additional advantage of retaining heat and
protecting from cold, making it possible by their use to plant
earlier than is otherwise safe. They are 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 as tomatoes
or cabbage, from the cut-worm, are stiff, tin, cardboard or tar
paper collars, which are made several inches high and large enough
to be put around the stem and penetrate an inch or so 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 of the hand-power,
compressed-air sprayers. These are used for applying wet sprays,
and should be supplied with one of the several forms of
mist-making nozzles, the non-cloggable automatic type being the
best. For more extensive work a barrel pump, mounted on wheels,
will be desirable, but one of the above will do a great deal of
work in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and
vines may be obtained 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-
power 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 will not be needed.
Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but
where this is attended 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 sort 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 will 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 tools, I
would say: first thoroughly investigate the different sorts
available, and when buying, do not 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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