The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-23

length is l foot, and length of side handle z
inches. Take lot of assorted sizes of wire
spikes from No. is to No 80 penny in box
with partitions for different sizes, and the
above stock and TOOLS and you are ready for
business. First the nails are driven through
the linn BIS from the out or back side.
In driving the first nail you will see the ne
cessity OF the holes left in the hook or eye
maker marked thus, X, in angle formed by
braces on side handle. For after starting the
nail you will put the head through said hole.
which should be large enough to admit easily
the head of the largest spike. You will find if
your hammer slips the surrounding steel will
protect the bark from being bruised, which
would be the case without this protection and
another advantage, having hold of the handle,
or for that matter either end, you can steady
the nail in the course of driving, which pre-
vents 1T from doubling up in case of an unfair
stroke of the hammer. Good judgment must
be used in selecting proper nail, having one
sufficiently long to go through the limb, leav
ing about an inch and quarter of the point
sticking through on the inner or upper side of
the limb, as the case may be.
Take the hook tool with the opposite end
from the jaw in the left hand, side handle up,
place your back toward the trunk of the tree,
place the jaw so the point of the nail only
comes about even with the upper side of the
jaw, reach under and outside of the tool with
the right hand, and grasp the top of the side
handle, then pull down and toward you in
order TO make hook on the end of the nail, at
the same time hold the tool firmly with the
left hand, and at right angles with the nail
anu DHD. Inc jaw Is udQe signify SNAPPED,
so it will fit any size nail or spike. After turn
ing the hook, drive the point of the nail back
into the limb. After treating all limbs that are
liable to split in this manner, you are ready
for the wire.
Put the end of the wire through the hook,
oreye; make sharp turn by pinching it to-
gether with pliers, leaving sufficient end to
turn at least three times around on the WIRE
Take 1t to the opposite side of the tree meas
ure, cut your wire, place the end through the
eye, or hook, grasp the end with the pliers and
pull It sufficiently taut SO you can do nice
job of turning the end of the wire around the
main wire.
Practice and judgment will dictate to you
the proper distance from the trunk of the tree
to drive your nail. If out too far you destroy
the elasticity of the limb. Place it well inside
OF the center of the arc, or curve, of the limb.
when loaded with fruit, which win allow small
extremities to hang with a graceful curve
Trees treated by this method are in no
danger of being split down in the forks by
fruit or snow. There are no props TOR the wind
or the harrow or the workmen to knock down,
and in two years the nails are all nicely
grown over and only the wire is left in sight.
and is by no means unsightly, as you would
have to call the attention to 1t as l have done
in my own orchard. 1t is not only a thing of
beauty but great satisfaction; besides It is
mechanical, looks neat, is cheap and ought to
last long time. So far have only used this