A Long-Reach Pruner.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 455, 19 March 1890, Page 3

A Long-Reach Pruner.

The engraving herewith makes the working of this contrivance very plain. The cutting parts are made of thin hardened steel. By means of the bolt hole, shown at the end of the movable blade, a light iron rod is attached, which is connected with a lever fixed to the lower part of the wooden pole. The length of this rod must, of course, correspond with the length of the pole used. By means of a screw and nut the two blades of the pruner are fastened together as shown. This implement will

be found useful in pruning tall trees, and parts of grape vines out of ordinary reach, climbing roses, etc. When the lever handle is raised the connecting bar is forced upwards, thus opening the jaws of the shears, which, being adjusted to the branch or twig requiring removal clip it off by simply depressing the lever. The jaws of the shears must be ground at a some-. ..what acute angle, and the highest part of each level must' come against the corresponding part of the. level upon which it a"cts.

A Mischievous Caterpillar. The Ashursh correspondent of a Southern paper writes Great damage is being done in the gardens here by a dark brown caterpillai. fie s belongs to another tribe than the ordinary caterpillar, for he burrows under ground near the plant which he to attack, and as if ashamed of hi? depredation hides during the day, and at night eats the stem obthe young cabbage or plant through. Another pest is a small green caterpillar ■Which attacks everything, vegetables or f,flowers. ' -I'hear the Messrs Whibley aro trying syringing with soft' soap as a' preVentjveg ! as" their gardens are'suftering a - gpod deal ’’of cfarqage' from them; If they ?. have'too many srqall birds in the corn districts we have not'enough hero.