Digging is the first operation necessary in gardening, as nothing can be done in the way of cultivating the soil till it has been first pulverised, so as to allow the fine delicate roots of the plants to penetrate among its particles. It is also necessary that the air should have access to the roots of plants, as they depend for their nourishment almost as much on the carbon and other elements which they absorb from the air, as on those which they obtain from the soil. On this account it is necessary, not only to dig the soil well before any thing is planted in it, but also to fork it over occasionally whenever its surface becomes hardened and impervious to the air and rain. When manure is applied also, it is customary to dig it into the soil; and ground is occasionally trenched in order to bring up fresh soil to the surface, whenever the surface soil appears to be exhausted and to want renewing. The operation of digging requires considerable strength, as it requires first to be able to force the spade into the ground, and then to raise as much earth as will lie upon the blade and turn it over. It is, however, a fine healthy occupation, not only from its calling the muscles into vigorous action, but from the smell of the new earth being particularly invigorating; and you might have a lady's spade, with a smooth willow handle, that will enable you to dig a small bed without much difficulty. You will be surprised, however, to find, if you try the experiment, that there is an art in digging as well as in every thing else; and that it is extremely difficult, both to dig in a straight line, and to make the ground look even tolerably level after it has been dug over. _Raking_, though it appears so simple, also requires considerable skill to make the ground look smooth and perfectly level. _Forking_ is not so difficult, as it merely requires to have the fork pressed into the ground, and then pulled backwards and forwards, so as to loosen a portion of the soil without turning it over. There are two sorts of _hoes_: the _draw-hoe_, which is used for drawing up the earth to any plant that is to be earthed up; and the _thrust-hoe_, which is principally used for destroying weeds. There are many varieties of both these forms, but the common kinds, I think, you will find the best. The most useful instrument, however, for you will be a _trowel_, and this you will find indispensable, as, without it, you will not be able either to transplant or pot a single plant. Some persons use what is called a _transplanter_, to enable them when they take up a plant, to remove it without disturbing the roots; but, as far as my own experience goes, I think these instruments are more troublesome than advantageous, and I prefer using a trowel. You will also want a _budding-knife_, and a sharp knife for making cuttings; and you will find a pair of _pruning-shears_ with a sliding-joint extremely useful for cutting off dead wood, or removing any badly-placed branches.