The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-08-03
Use Of the Hand.Hoe.


With the introduction of the horse
cultivator, the hand-hoe went out of
use on most of the Western farms
More work conld be done with the cul-
tivator, and it could be done with
greater ease. The more the cultivator
was improved the more farmers became
attached to it, and the greater was their
reluctance to handle the hoe. At pres
ent the implement that has been used
longer and to better advantage than
any other in the cultivation of crops is
generally discarded on Western farms.
Indeed, many market gardeners manage
to raise most of their vegetables without
using the hoe to any considerable eX-
tent The horse-cultivator is certainly
a very desirable implement % employ
in both the field and the garden, but its
use should be supplemented by that of
the hand-hoe. 1t is profitable to con-
tinue the use of the hoe in every gar
den and cultivated field. Work can be
performed with it that cannot be done
with any implement drawn by a horse.
The hoe should be used in every corn
and potato field before the cultivator is
put in operation. 1t should be en-
plOy ed to remove stones, turfs and
pieces of hard earth that may be over
the plants that are making their appear
ance above ground, and for stirring the
soil around them. The cultivator is ex-
eellent for working the ground be-
tween hills, but for cultivating the hill
itself there is no implement like the
hand-hoe. 1t is very difficult to keep a
field devoted to any cultivated crop en-
tirely clear of grass and weeds without
using the hoe A field that has been
worked at least once with hand-hoe is
always more productive than one that
has been tended with the cultivatOr
alone The truth is, the former per-
forms some work which the latter can
not do.
To be "as dull as hoe''-that is, as
most hoes are-is to be very dull i'm
deed. 1t is to have the edge battered
and worn and the entire surface covered
with rust, A hoe in that condition can
not be expected to do very good work
or to be an easy implement to operate
with. But Il hoe should never be in
that condition. 1t should be sharp and
bright. 1t should have an edge that
will cut roots W ithout tearing them,
and pass through the soil like a we'll
polished knife-blade. Only the best
steel hoes are profitable to use in the
field or garden. They should be of
material that will take a good edge and
ngn pOlfSn, anu SHOUlu nave sDOAA
when they pass into the hands OF the
purchaser. They should be kept sharp
and never be allowed to become rusty.
They should be sharpened by the use of
the Tile, grindstone or milestone as often
as the scytlle is, that is constantly en-
ployed in cutting g%ess. Both surfaces
and the shank sbo OIL be rubbed with
polishing material as often as there is
any appearance of rust. To prevent
rusting they should be thoroughly
cleaned every time they are put away,
if it is but for single night The en-
tire surface, including that of the shank.
should be covered with oil to prevent
the formation of rust. Hoes kept sharp
and well polished cut any kind of roots
readily and move through the soil with |
out difficulty. man with a sharp and
polished hoe can do twice the work in
a given time that one can with hoe !
that is dull and rusty. There is econo- |
my in keeping hoe sharp, if it is worn |
out in a week. in consequence of fire. |
auent contact with a grindstone- La
borers who object to using the hoes /
that are often placed in their hands are |
entirely satisfied to use those that are |
sharp and well polished Chicago |
Times.