wooden handle. I t varies somewhat,
both in size and in the angle made by
the plate or knife, wliich is so contrived
as to be regulated at the pleasure
of the operator 5 and, in mowing very
short thick grass, it is generally placed
so that the plane of the blade may be
pai-allel to the plane of the surface to
be mown. Fig. 397. is a small hand-
scythe, or rather sickle, called in
Fi-ance a volant, and used in that
country, in mowing lawns, for the pm--
posc of cutting gi-ass at the roots of
trees and bushes, where the common
scythe is too cumbersome an instrument.
1757. O f the garden scarifiers or bark-scdlers, there arc several sorts. They are
generally hooked edge-tools or blunt knives, used for removing the ali-eady scaling off
external epidermis of the stem and branches of fruit trees of some age. They vary in
size and strength, in order to suit different sorts of trees, and different pai-ts of the same
tree. The two-handed instrument (fig. 398.) is for removing the bark from the axilla)
of the branches, or other angular parts, difficult to be got at. The small hook (fig. 399.)
is for lateral branches of one and tivo inches in diameter; and the knife hook (fig. 400.)
for the tininks of the lai-gest trees. This operation should be performed in the middle
of w in te r; and, to guard against accidents, the whole of a tree should seldom be done in
one season.
1758. The moss-scraper, for standards, is a sort of horse curpr-comb (fig. 401.); and
for wall trees, is a sickle-like instrument (fig. 402.). In either form, it is used to
remove moss from the branches or woody pai-ts of trees ; the existence of which is a
certain indication of the commencement of decay. I t must be confessed, however, that
such instruments seldom remove the moss completely ; and that the scarifier, by removing
a portion of the outer bark, does the business much more effectually, and is greatly to be
preferred.
1759. The blunt knife (fig. 403.) has a lanceolate, double-edged blade, somewhat
obtuse on the edges, and is used for the removal of decayed wood fr-om hollow wounds
in old neglected trees. I t can never be wanted where there has been any thing like good
management.
1760. O f forest barking-irons there are two species, and several varieties. They are
used, not to scarify or remove the scaly decaying epidermis, but to remove the entire
Ö
mass of cortical layers of the oak, for the purposes of the tanner. The first species includes
four varieties: the smaller instruments (figs. 404, 405, and 406.) are for undergi
owth, or copse bark, or small branches; the largest (fig. 407.) is for the larger branches
aud ti-unks; the long blade (fig. 408.) is the second species, and is used for cross-cutting
the bark into proper lengths, before it is removed by the scarifiers.
1761. The garden hammer consists of a head, with a flat face and forked claw, and is
generally lighter than the cai-penter’s hammer. I t is
used chiefly by gardeners for driving in or drawing out
the nails in dressing wall trees. An improved form
(fig. 409.) has a stud protmding from the head, in the
direction of the handle, to serve as a fulcrum
in drawing nails from Avails.
1762. O f fruit-gatherers there are several species; but they are generally
speaking of very little practical use.
1763. Lane's fruit-gatherer (fig. 410.) consists of a pole (a), Avith a
pair of forceps (b, c) at the e n d ; one limb (6) being fixed, and the
other (c) movable; a Avire (d d) is attached to the moving limb which
°J passes along a groove to the trigger (e). The pole being held by the
^ left hand, the back of the right raises the trigger, and opens the forceps,
Avhich being applied to the fmit, the ti-igger is pressed, by which the
fruit is secured. The forceps are formed of a ring of metal, covered
with soft leather and padded.
1764. The orange-gaiherer used in Spain (fig. 411.) consists of a
rod, Avith a cup at the end, composed of six lingulate pieces of ]Alatc-
iron or hoop, somewhat sharp at the edges. The instrument is made
to enclose the fruit, the stalk being bctAvcen the iron plates ; a gentle
tAvist is then given, when the fruit is detached and brought down in
the cup.
1765. The Swiss fruit-gatherer (fig. 413.) is a small basket, A v ith
the ends and edges of the ribs shaqDcned and protruding : it is used,
like the orange-gatlierer, in collecting apples, peai-s, and Avalnuts.
(Lasteyrie, Collect, de Mach., &c.)
1766. The orchardist's hook (fig. 412.) consists of a rod, with an iron
hook fixed a t one extremity, and a sliding piece (d) at the other.
The operator, being on the tree, seizes a branch Avith the hook, draws
j! it towards him, and holds it in that position till he gathers the fruit,
i by hooking on the sliding cross-piece to another branch. This slider
passes freely along the rod, but cannot drop off, on account o f the pin
(b) at the end.
1767. Garden pincers ai-e o f three species : those for drawing nails
do not differ from those used by carpenters, consisting of two hooked
levers of iron, acting as levers of the first kind ; tliose for twisting
wire, in repah-ing trellis or floAvcr baskets, &c., are the sort used by
wirc-workers, which operate both as pliers and pincers ; and those for
pulling weeds are, Avhen large (fig. 417.), formed of wood pointed with
plate iron, and are used for pulling out weeds, particularly thistles and other hu-ge
plants in hedges, or any bulky crops. They are also sometimes used for common
weeding, to prevent stooping and treading on the beds and borders; but tbeir chief
use is to weed ponds, either reaching from the sliores or from boats. A small sort,
formed of iron, is sometimes used for Aveeding very hard gi-avel Avalks. Gloves, having
the first finger and thumb-points cased Avith iron or steel, brought to a wedge-shape,
are also used for the same purpose.
1768. The grape-gatherer (fig. 414.) is a pair of scissors, combining also tweezers or
pincers attached to the end of a rod six or eight feet long, and worked by a cord. The
bunch of gi-apes to be gathered from the roof of a lofty vinei-y, or the sprig of myrtle to be
culled from the summit of a greenhouse stage, is not only clipped cleanly oft’ the plant
by the shears, but is held fast by those parts of them which act as pincers till it is brought
down to the operator.
1769. Thepeach-gatherer (fig. 416.) consists of a tin funnel, or inverted hollow cone,
fixed on the end of a rod or handle at an obtuse angle. The flinnel is first introduced
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