A Life-Changing Hoe
“Somebody has sent me a new sort of hoe, with the wish that I should speak favorably of it, if I can consistently. As to this hoe, I do not mind saying that it has changed my view of the desirableness and value of the human life. It has in fact, made life a holiday to me. It is made on the principle that man is an upright, sensible, reasonable being, and not a groveling wretch. It does away with the necessity of the hinge in the back. The handle is seven and a half feet long. There are two narrow blades, sharp on both edges which come together at an obtuse angle in front; and as you walk along with this hoe before you, pushing and pulling with a gentle motion, the weeds fall at every thrust and withdrawal, and the slaughter is immediate and wide-spread.”
Charles Warner, My Summer in a Garden, 1872
No one has yet sent me a new hoe to get my “expert” opinion and endorsement of it, but recently my aunt sent me a link to a hoe I don’t have, a dual-blade hoe, and asked me what I thought of it. Well, from the pictures, I’m not sure how easy it would be to use it. I’d really have to try it out to say for sure.
And then I started to think that maybe I should buy this hoe. I don’t have a hoe like it. All my hoes have one blade. Maybe it is the one hoe that would revolutionize how I use a hoe in the garden? Is it really “the most convenient and versatile hoe on the market”? Maybe this hoe would be a life-changing hoe?
Or maybe I have enough hoes? Would this one really make that big a difference? Or has it gotten to the point that since I already own so many hoes, it is just expected that if a new hoe comes along that is different, I should get it? If my hoes are now truly a “collection”, as I call them, don’t I need to get this one to ensure I don’t get too far behind “hoe-wise”?
I need to decide if I should buy this hoe! Has anyone every used one and care to comment or provide guidance?
Hmm. A stirrup hoe changed MY life, frankly. But if you think a two-bladed one will make you happy, then by all means go get one!!
(I feel like I am encouraging an addict. A HAPPY addict.)
You can never have too many hoes…that doesn’t sound right…
Collections do take on a life of their own. Since you are not taking food out of the mouths of your children, nor do you appear in danger of defaulting on your mortgage, I’d say don’t strain your brain too much on this one. I have 5 blue china teapots. I rarely use them; I mostly just like to look at them. If I can do it with teapots, you can do it with hoes. Wait a minute, that doesn’t sound right, either.
the weeds fall at every thrust and withdrawl, and the slaughter is immediate and wide-spread.
Are we sure this is gardening!!??
Sure Carol, go ahead and buy it. If you don’t, you’ll always wonder would have happened if you did. You don’t want a simple hoe decision to ruin the rest of your life.
There are so many jokes flowing through my brain right now. I must stop myself and just say—Life is short, buy the darn hoe—Let us know how it works.
It looks like a fine hoe.
I guess it is just a matter of time before they make a triple blade hoe. After all, they did it with razors. 🙂