82/49

This is a clay spade with an ash-wood handle. It has three prongs like a fork but the prongs are joined at the tip by a cutting blade. It was found by the donor under a hedge in an allotment in Egham circa 1980. The former holder of the allotment was a professional gardener.

1 spade: clay; ash wood; good condition.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Spade, clay // Accession number: 82/49 // Classification: CULTIVATING // Negative number: // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: Mr R Dixon, [...] // Store: // Condition: Good // Recorder, date: DJE, 9.12.82 // Description: A clay spade, consisting of three prongs joined by a cutting blade. The handle is 'D' shaped and made of ash. // Dimensions: width of blade 19cms. // length 96.5cms. // Associated information: This spade was found by the donor under a hedge in an allotment in Egham c.1980. The former holder of the allotment was a professional gardener. // References: [page break] [pencil sketch]', Letter, Robert Dixon to MERL, 4 November 1982 – 'Dear Sir, // I have an unconventional garden implement. It resembles a fork with three prongs and a cutting plate, or a spade with two rectangles cut out of the blade. The handle is of hardwood with a stirrup grip. // I found the implement on a neglected allotment and have cleaned it up. // Enquiries as to possible use or past purpose have only resulted in guesses. // I have no use for the implement, finding it cumbersome for digging in the light soil here. // If this is of any value to your institute please let me know. I found your name in the acknowledgements of the AA Book of British Villages. // Yours sincerely, // [...] Dixon', Letter, MERL to Robert Dixon, 5 November 1982 – 'Dear Mr. Dixon, // Thank you for your letter. I am not sure from your description of the precise purpose of the tool except that it may be a clay fork. // If you are able to bring it in when you are next in the area, I would be happy to accept it for the collections. // Yours sincerely, // Roy D. Brigden // Keeper // Found by donor under hedge in an allotment in Egham c.1980. Former holder of allotment was a professional gardener. [verso] Found in allotment in Egham. Former holder of allotment was professional gardener at Holloway College'

Wood, ash, Metal