The New International Encyclopædia/Hoe (implement)
HOE (from OF. houe, hoe, from OHG. houwa,
Ger. Haue, hoe, from OHG. houwan, Ger. hauen,
AS. hēawan, Eng. hew). An agricultural implement
used for stirring the soil, drawing up earth
to plants, thinning plants in drills, clearing the
ground of weeds, etc. There are two classes of
hoes — draw-hoes and thrust-hoes. In the former
the blade is almost at right angles to the handle;
in the latter, almost in the same plane with it.
The thrust-hoe, or Dutch hoe, is chiefly used
for killing weeds, and for stirring ground to a
very slight depth. The draw-hoe is much used in
gardening, and is, in some countries, very extensively
used in place of the spade in agriculture.
It is always employed in the thinning (singling)
of turnips. Hoes intended for tilling the ground,
instead of the plow and spade, are much larger
and heavier than those ordinarily used, are raised
much higher, and brought down to the ground
with greater force, somewhat like the pickaxe.
Hoes for stirring very stiff soils are sometimes
made with prongs instead of a blade.