Vigo County Historical Society

Lawn and garden equipment has come a long way

From scythe and sickle to weed-eater and leaf blower, lawn and garden equipment has come a long way.

A scythe was used to cut tall grasses and for reaping grain. It has a long curved blade and a long handle with adjustable hand grips. The person using the scythe used both hands while cutting close to the ground and moving forward in an almost upright position.

The sickle had a short handle with about a 16-inch curved blade and a very sharp point. When I was a child, I could pull all the weeds I wanted to, by hand, but was never allowed to touch the sickle. The rake in the picture is all wood, even the teeth. Today, most rakes are made of metal or plastic. Lots of folks now have leaf blowers or bags on their lawnmowers that makes the job of disposing of leaves a lot easier. I don’t have any trees in my yard, but I get lots of leaves from trees nearby. I still rake and bag them, telling myself it is good exercise.

When I was growing up in the "Thirties," I mowed the lawn with a push mower. When my sons were old enough to cut grass in the "Fifties," we had a power mower. You still have to push it, but it sure is easier.

Sickles and scythes are still used where it is hazardous to use machinery or where machinery cannot be operated.

The items in the picture are just part of the collection of antique tools that can be seen on the lower level at the Vigo County Historical Museum.