Similarly he may not be able to accomplish much in smiths' work, but it is certainly of advantage to be able to work in iron so far as to be able, by aid of fire, hammer, and anvil, to beat a piece of iron into any shape that may be required, to drill a hole, and to turn a screw, which operations come under the category of forging. Casting, which necessitates the melting of metal in a furnace and running it into a mold, is an operation which may well be left to the iron founder; but it is useful to possess an iron ladle, and run in lead round an iron bar or rail that has been loosened in the socket cut for it in a stone coping or step.

Zinc-working, as far as making a simple shoot and covering a small flat roof are concerned, and wire-working in the construction of a wire trellis, hanging basket, sieve for sifting earth or cinders, or repairing such articles, are far more practicable; and soldering and simple working in sheet metal are matters with which the amateur may readily make himself acquainted. Plumbing and gas-fitting, which if badly and inefficiently done may involve serious consequences , are best left to professional artisans; but it is as well to know how to stop a leak in a pipe on an emergency, how to take down a gasalier, clean it, and put it in its place again, and how to substitute new gas-burners for old ones with safety.