Still, fairly fine, not cold. Went into Baldock & bought mattock, 6/-. Also a little napthaline, said to be good weed-killer when mixed in equal quantities with lime. Cleared out place where the blackberries are to go. Elm trees are all yellowing, beech trees not so much.
6 eggs.
Orwell Diaries 1938-1942 
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“What’ll it be?”
“I’ll have a large Napthaline—lots of lime, please.”
“Sure thing. Anything else?”
“Yes, I’d like some of those Blackberries to-go.”
“Excellent.”
“Yes. Turn that radio up a bit, would you?”
Did he get a spade handle along with the mattock? Enquiring minds want to know.
I very much appreciate your added comments, JamesonLewis3rd. Here in the US, had to look up what a mattock was.
= Itwasntme. I think in the USA they are called auto-mattocks.
I grew up calling mattocks “grub hoes”.
Nope, here in the US, we’d call it just a pickax. There may be another name for it, but since it’s not a common item seen in Los Angeles, I wouldn’t know it.
In the US, auto-mattocks are guns! (I’m making a joke: automatic firearm).