OWNERS MANUAL FOR THE GARDEN
RAKE
---prepared for the
information highway of the third millennium --
When you purchased your
garden rake, you bought a very fine piece of equipment. For some, this will be your last purchase
unless you use it properly. The reason
for this is because it is a manual device (no pun intended for it is not power
driven by an engine) and some have brought on a heart attack by improper
use. So we urge you to read this manual
carefully, not only for your own safety, but for best results when using this
fantastic tool.
First you need to get
acquainted with how your rake has been made.
For additional information, please see the parts page which may be
obtained separately.
Actually there are four main
parts. The first part is the
handle. Most manufacturers use hickory
wood in making the handle. You may have
heard the term "hickory stick."
Now don't confuse the words stick and handle as these are two entirely
different things. The term "hickory stick" usually refers to something
like a paddle which was once used in schools. But, this was back when
discipline was the way children were taught right VS wrong and readin', writin'
and rithmetic. Today, of course, it is
illegal to use such force and besides TV, rock and roll, and Nintendo is the
generally accepted teaching medium.
(for additional information, please see our manual on "How to raise
Children." You may also want to
see our manual on "Methods of Discipline" both of which have been
approved for distribution by the UNBPA (United Nations Bureau of Parental
Affairs).
The second part is made of
metal. This is the part from which the
rake derives its name for it is called the rake. You will easily recognize it for it is the part with all the
metal fingers normally called teeth. Please don't let this term confuse you for
in this case the fingers and teeth are synonymous. A number of manufacturers paint this part bright red. Although this is not mandatory by FEMA, as
they allow other colors as well. We
have seen a few rakes (the tooth part) painted frog brown. But color doesn't matter so much because
when a rake is used properly all of them regardless of initial color will
eventually turn frog brown anyway. The
frog brown happens naturally as the paint wears off and rust begins to set
in. You can easily recognize this color
for it is generally the color of the ground; almost a perfect match.
The third part is the small
metal fastener that holds the frog brown rake to the hickory handle. This might be a #10 wood screw or it might
even be a 20 penny nail that has been cut off to the correct length. This depends on the price of the rake. Nails are cheaper than screws. Generally garden rakes come already
assembled.
And lastly the fourth part
is the label. This is required by law
and tells who made it, where it was made and the government inspection
department that approved distribution.
This is placed near the rake so you won't confuse this label with a
sticky one higher up on the handle bearing a bar code with the price.
Now you are ready to
begin. Ready? OK, go out to the garden and find some loose dirt. You will notice that you can place the rake
on the dirt teeth down OR teeth UP.
Actually you may use either method and both have their place. When the teeth are up you can drag dirt like
a bulldozer does on a larger scale. For
information of the use of "bulldozers" you will need to go to the
library of congress as there are certain restrictions we are not permitted to
cover in our manual on bulldozers.
Suffice it to say, if you want to push dirt or pull dirt, best results
can be obtained with the teeth up. A
little experimenting with this can work wonders with understanding this unique
feature of the garden rake.
Perhaps the main feature of
the rake is to move through loose dirt making tiny groves as it moves. Sometimes shallow grass or weeds will be
caught by the teeth and save bending over and pulling them up with your hands.
To activate this feature, one needs to turn the rake over (teeth down) and hold
the handle with both hands allowing the long handle to go past the waist on the
right side (if you are right handed).
For right handers, the right hand is closer to the body and the left
hand is closer to the teeth of the rake.
Please be careful with this as you may get your hands crossed and it
won't work nearly as well. Again
experiment. Now pull the rake toward
you while pushing down to make it dig in.
This technique requires practice.
Left handers must read the techniques in this paragraph backwards.
We hope these few
suggestions will be helpful as you begin this new experience of raking your
garden. A closing word of CAUTION:
Very few children will like
this tool. So save yourself the
temptation of using the handle as a hickory stick. Just use it yourself.
-- Bic Parker --