BRIEF HINTS ON THE CARE OF TOOLS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 12, 19 March 1913, Page 39

BRIEF HINTS ON THE CARE OF TOOLS.

The Tool-house. The tools required in a well-equipped garden cannot be accommodated in a bass or box, like the joiner’s or mason’s; a house for the purpose is needed. In many cases the tool-house has to be utilised as a pot ting-shed a* well, and it is frequently a much-neglected edifice. This should not be; order and tidiness should prevail in this as in every other department of the garden. There should be a place for everything, and everything in its place, and this rule should b? rigorously enforced.

Arrangement of Tools. Even though the house has to, serve a double purpose, a* suggested above, judicious arrangement will add greatly to the economy of space. In every well-planned tool-house there should be a row of pegs fixed along the hack wall close to the roof for hanging all longhandled tool*, such as hoes, rakes, scythes, etc.: then below that a strap of wood could be fastened, fitted with nails or pegs, for spade*. forks, shovels, ami isuch like implements. Then on the front wall shelve* could he fixed for paint pots, tallies, oil-can*, hones, and *o on: under this, again, another *trap could he fixed, to which a light cord can be looped, for hanging roses of cans, trowels, handfork*, dibbles, hammer*, and so on. This is enough to indicate the line* on which the arrangement can be carried out. Any one with the bump of “orderliness” well developed will devise many modifications and adaptation* to suit circuimstances. Cleaning of Tools. Every tool should be in good condition and kept properly clean. Tool* put away dirty are difficult to use next time they are needed, and do not turn off •such good work; neither will they wear so long as those that are well kept. The be*t way to clean tools u*ed in the various form* of tillage is to wa*h them thoroughly, and finish off by holding them under the tap or dipping them

in a tub of clean water, after having washed the dirt off. Hang them up without any attempt at drying; they will drip dry in a short time. By adopting this method rusting will be prevented if they are only partially washed and hung up out of dirty water they will rust: but spades, forks, shovels, and hoes treated thus will keep perfectly bright and smooth.

Edge Tools. These should be carefully dried, and afterwards rubbed with an oily rag when laid past. A rack of some description must be provided lor this class of tools to keep them safe. Saws, hatchets, hedge knives, scythes, primers, and shears should always be sharp and ready for use: blunt tools always make inferior work, and this rule must be strictly observed in respect to all pruning instruments. Watering Cans. These should have careful attention, and be arranged on shelves or hung up when not in use. They should have a coat of paint once a year. Their period of service will thus be prolonged. This work can be done when outdoor work is at a standstill because of unfavourable weather conditions. Sets of Tools. In large establishments each man should have a set of tools suitable for his department of work, and for which he will be responsible. Each can have his number reading from left to right, or spades, forks, and shovels can be arranged together in the order stated, then at a glance a missing tool can be noted, ami the responsible party traced. Oversight. Some one should be charged with the oversight of tin* tool-house, or pottingshed. as the case may be. and, if the regulations be strictly observed, nothing will be mislaid or lost: all will derive satisfaction from the rule, and order and method will prevail. — Brightspade.