Fighting Plant Enemies

The devices and implements used for fighting plant enemies are of two types: (1) used for mechanical protection for the plants, (2) used for insecticides and fungicides to apply. From the first the most useful is the covered frame. It usually consists 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 plates are, of course, the additional advantage of retaining heat and protection from cold, making it possible through its use earlier than usual is a safe plant. They are widely used in obtaining an extra fast and safe start with cucumber, melons and other vegetables vines. 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 placed around the stem and penetrate of an inch or so into the soil. For applying poison powders, the gardener supply himself with a gun powder. If one must be limited to a few to perform but will be best to hand the power to get compressed air nozzles. These are used for applying wet sprays, and should come with one of the various types of fog nozzles to be non-automatic type cloggable the best. For more extensive work-barrel pump, mounted on wheels, is desirable, but one of the above, a large part of work to do in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and vines may be obtained for either. For very small scale operations on a good hand-syringe may be used, but as a general thing it will be best for a few dollars more to invest and get a small tank gun, because this raises a continuous stream or spray and has a lot larger amount of the solution. What type purchased, get a brass machine wear-out or four three that of cheaper metal, which succumbs very quickly to, co rroding action of the strong poisons and chemicals used in them. Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, hoe and dig his teeth-fork, is very little use in the small garden, as most of them have not only long rows to be economically used, but horse power. 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 help, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it will not be needed. Another class of garden tools used in pruning but where it is well attended from the beginning, a good sharp knife jacket and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work of the kind needed. Another sort of garden device that is used to support the plants, such as poles, fences, wires, etc. All too little attention has been met deze usually given, as with proper care bij storage during the winter they will not Only last year, but add significantly to the ease of cultivation and the neat appearance of the garden. As a final word to the next purchaser of garden tools, I would say: first thoroughly investigate the different types available, and when buying, remember that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after price is forgotten, while a poor man is a constant source of discomfort. Get good tools, and takes good care of them. And I repeat that a couple of dollars a year judiciously, released, tool then well cared for, will soon give you a complete set, and add to your garden profit and pleasure.