CHAPTER XVIII. Training Grounds for Market Gardeners.

TRAINING GROUNDS FOR MARKET GARDENERS.

Special opportunities are afforded to those who intend to devote their attention to the study of market-garden work. I am enabled, by the courtesy of the principals, to give the following information concerning some successful market gardens which are conducted by ladies, and where pupils are received. This I have supplemented with details of such facilities as are offered by public bodies for courses of instruction in the work.

THE VIOLET NURSERIES AT HENFIELD, SUSSEX.

Proprietors: MISSES A. AND D. ALLEN-BROWN.

The Violet Nurseries, instituted a few years ago in a small garden, now extend over several acres, and are carried forward on practical business lines.

The Misses Allen-Brown, specialist violet growers, do the entire work of the nurseries, with the assistance of a boy and of any pupils who may be with them.

Pupils are received on payment of five guineas premium for a year’s tuition. The instruction given is entirely practical. Arrangements are made to obtain rooms for pupils in the village, the charges being (approximately) one guinea for a single room and board, and fifteen shillings each for a room shared.

The work of the year is, in general:--In spring, the taking of cuttings and planting out; in summer, the tending of plants and cutting of runners; in autumn, the lifting into frames, and the selling, packing and despatching of plants and flowers; in winter, the picking of blossoms and the tending of plants in frames. Of the four, spring is the busiest and most instructive season for violet-growers, but it is advisable that pupils should, if possible, remain in the nurseries for the full year.

The work is exceedingly healthy--above all other open-air employments--owing to the fact that the smell of violets has medicinal qualities. The pleasure of the work proves its ample reward, apart from the pecuniary success, to all who give themselves to it, unreservedly, with physical and mental vigour.

Amongst ladies who are supervising, or themselves undertaking, market gardens, are the following. They all write hopefully about their work, but seem of one accord in thinking that it is only by the combination of their brains and the work of a labouring man that success ensues.

MISS DORA GROOME, at Heath Nursery Gardens, Petersfield, has the largest nursery garden in the neighbourhood, but only employs men.

MISS A. CROSS, Cleveland, Bere Alston, Devon, writes that, having been trained at Studley College, she has lately started a nursery garden. At present the garden is only three-quarters of an acre in extent, but it is proposed to add to it each year. It will be eventually a fruit and asparagus market garden, supplemented by poultry and milking goats.

MISS BIRTELL and her sisters have a violet farm at the Cottage, Shripney, near Bognor. They do all the work in connection with the violets themselves, and also make the frames and glaze and paint the lights. A labouring man does the rough digging. Miss Birtell has two acres of land and about half of it is devoted only to the violets.

HOLLY BUSH NURSERY, CHESNUT LANE, AMERSHAM, BUCKS

MISS M. AGAR and MISS M. G. HOLMES, directors of this garden, are willing to take ladies as students in simple land surveying and plan drawing. Terms for tuition are £2 2s. per week; and if students live at the nursery, 30s. a week is charged for board and lodging.

Gardening students will probably be admitted shortly, but the garden has not been started long enough to take these at present. Miss Agar is a garden designer. The following are particulars of her nursery garden:--

The Nursery undertakes the laying out, stocking, and up-keep of gardens, and provides seeds, bulbs, plants, shrubs, and all garden requisites.

Skilled gardening labour is supplied at 4s. a day. Yearly or monthly contracts can be made.

Advisory work is undertaken at a guinea for the first visit, and half-a-guinea for subsequent visits; or two guineas a week with all expenses.

MISS A. BATESON, Bashley Nursery, New Milton, Hants, has a most successful market garden, described on p. 73. She sometimes takes students, and her terms are £40 premium for a year’s work without residence; £100 per annum premium with board and residence.

MISS DIXON, F.R.H.S., holding the Horticultural College, Swanley, diploma, and 1st class Horticultural certificate, South Kensington, assisted by MISS EVE, R.H.S., receives students at Elmcroft Nursery, Westergate, Chichester, suitable rooms being provided in the village. The house stands in two acres of ground, four miles from Bognor, and six from Chichester. Both soil and climate are good. There are 300 ft. of glass, in which are grown melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, strawberries, forced rhubarb and seakale, early vegetables, roses, chrysanthemums, bulbs, etc. Outside are grown roses, sweet peas, violets, and other flowers; vegetables of all sorts, and fruit.

Poultry and ducks are kept, and there is also jam making and fruit bottling.

The produce is chiefly sent to Bognor, Chichester, and Manchester, and private orders are supplied for weekly hampers of vegetables, eggs, and cut flowers.

A man is kept to help with the rough work.

FOR MANY YEARS HIS MOTHER, MRS. VESEY, HAS MADE THE GARDEN HER PERSONAL INTEREST.

Photograph by Pictorial Agency.]

In 1907 Miss Dixon obtained the R.H.S. Silver Medal for melons, and second prize for fruit, flowers, and jam from the Women’s Agricultural and Horticultural International Union.

Although the following is not a school for instruction in horticulture, I should like to mention it, as young ladies are taught floral decoration and other matters, which may prove of great use to them, if they wish to start job gardening or decoration for themselves.

The Women’s London Gardening Association, established in 1891, undertakes floral decorations of all kinds. Cut flowers supplied regularly by contract, and arranged if desired. Wreaths, crosses, sprays, bouquets, baskets, dinner-tables, receptions, ballrooms, platforms, weddings, etc. Table decorations are a speciality. Jobbing gardening work is also done. Contracts are taken to keep in order, and furnish, gardens, conservatories, window-boxes, balconies, roof-gardens, etc., by the year or season.

Advice is given on the management of country or suburban gardens at reasonable fees. Lawns are sown and kept in order, gravel is supplied, soils, fibre, sand, flowerpots, retail. Seeds, bulbs, etc.

The above is under the management of Mrs. T. Chamberlain, and all communications should be addressed to her at 107, Pimlico Road, Chelsea, S.W.

The nursery is in St. Ann’s Place, Milman Street, Chelsea, and the old wells in it were once in Sir Thomas More’s garden.

Mrs. Chamberlain takes one or two young ladies from time to time, as apprentices or improvers to learn jobbing gardening, florist’s work, or both if desired. Terms for improvers who have already had some training, 10s. per week to start with. The terms for a course, £30. The ladies find their own board and lodging. After three months, Mrs. Chamberlain pays them 2s. 6d. per week, and after six months 5s. per week. For the last quarter of their training, ladies receive 7s. 6d. per week. Sometimes ladies are taken for four months, upon payment by them of £10 10s.

Should it prove desirable, they can, at the end of this time, pay a further sum and remain a year. Pupils are expected to be ready to do anything required, and are not allowed to pick and choose their work.

The following extracts from the report of the

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CLUB

will serve to show the scope of its object and work. The club has as its premises the Manor House, Bredon’s Norton, near Tewkesbury, Worcestershire.

There are few more beautiful spots in rural England than the little village of Bredon’s Norton in Worcestershire, nestling as it does at the base of the lofty Bredon Hill and overlooking the fertile valley of the Severn. The club-house stands on a gentle eminence, and from its broad terraces may be viewed some of the most lovely scenery in England. Abruptly behind it rises the Bredon Beacon Hill, of which a great poet wrote:

“Twelve lovely counties saw the blaze From Bredon’s lonely height.”

The hill is crowned by the remains of a Roman encampment, thrown up, it is said, during the wars of the Romans against Boadicea, the Queen of the Iceni.

The hopeless intellectual outlook of agricultural pursuits dissevered from contact with the foremost thought and scientific experiments of to-day has driven the enterprising progressive workers of both sexes from the land to the towns.

Miss Woodhull, of Norton Park, Bredon’s Norton, near Tewkesbury, who has gone deeply into the agricultural problem, more especially the great need for the extension of intensive culture, has retained a fine old Elizabethan manor house on her estate, which she has renovated and filled with beautiful old furniture for the club.

Since the lighter branches of agriculture have taken such a prominent place on the list of suitable occupations for women, there has been a great demand for some place where the subjects could be studied for short or long periods. Though short courses are held no college as yet has filled this want.

Where a large number of students are together it is necessary to have a certain number of rules which compel them to lead the ordinary college life. In many cases it is not convenient to do this, and so many a woman who sometimes finds she has a week or two at her disposal and would very much like to come to a place of this sort is debarred from doing so.

It is hoped this club will do much to solve the problem of what is to be done with the healthy, energetic unmarried woman of the present day, who has a little capital, and who wishes to live in the country, instead of leading a narrow and restricted life in towns. In Bredon’s Norton in a simple way she can live her own life, have congenial employment, and at the same time add to her income without being cut off from associating with people of her own standing, or debarred from intellectual occupations, which is so often the result if an isolated country life is led devoted entirely to agricultural pursuits.

The result, so far, is satisfactory. The scheme is in its second year, and has earned a right to its recognition by the public. Since January, 1906, several cottages have been secured in the village, and have been made suitable for gentlewomen to reside in. These have all been taken by those who carry on whatever work they are interested in. Some members have taken up half-acre plots, and among other things are growing tomatoes in large quantities.

The club is unique of its kind; while combining opportunities for the higher intellectual pursuits and attracting those who have travelled and read extensively, it enables those who wish to specialise in the lighter branches of agriculture to carry out their work under the following conditions:

1. Members staying at the club will be able to take lessons in gardening, dairy or poultry work, or bee-keeping, for long or short periods.

2. Members who have trained at any of the existing colleges can reside at the club and rent small plots, from half an acre upwards, which will enable them to make a start either in market gardening or otherwise with very little outlay.

3. A horticultural school is carried on in connection with the club. The younger students under the necessary supervision will live in separate houses.

4. Members can attend the higher courses at Cheltenham Ladies’ College.

5. Members who reside in the village or immediate neighbourhood can obtain all meals at the club at a very moderate tariff. This is an important item, as gentlewomen are often deterred from settling in the country on account of the great difficulty of getting anyone to do the necessary cooking and housework; by being able to obtain their meals they are more or less independent of the servant question and manage very well with occasional help.

The library contains standard books of reference in the lighter branches of agriculture, besides a wide range of other subjects, together with the principal English and foreign magazines.

An experienced secretary and typist is at the disposal of members. The telephone is attached to the club; the principal houses and cottages in the village are connected by telephone.

The club house is situated 106 miles from London, 16 miles from Gloucester, 14 miles from Worcester, 14 miles from Evesham, 11 miles from Cheltenham, 11 miles from Malvern, 5 miles from Tewkesbury, and 5 miles from Pershore.

TARIFF

Resident members: breakfast, 1s.; dinner (middle day), 1s. 6d.; afternoon tea, 6d. and 9d.; high tea, 1s.; plain late dinner, 2s. 6d.; supper, 1s. 6d.; cocoa and cake, 3d. Rooms from 1s. 6d. per night. Meals for non-resident members, permanently living in cottages, 15s. per week.

LIST OF CHARGES

VISITORS

Terms per week, 2 guineas, to include: Breakfast, 1s.; dinner (middle day), 1s. 6d.; afternoon tea, 6d.; supper, 1s. 6d.; room, 1s. 6d. Rooms from 1s. 6d. per night. Meals for non-resident visitors as per charges on tariff card.

WEEK-END VISITORS

From middle day, Saturday, to middle day, Monday, 17s. 6d. (to include breakfast, mid-day dinner, afternoon tea, and supper, also room).

Arrangements can be made for boarding dogs.

* * * * *

The following scheme is in operation under the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. Any woman, of whose qualifications the above department approves, is eligible for the post of instructor under this scheme, which, by permission, I am allowed to reproduce. It will be seen that the actual appointment rests with the local authorities.

Miss Lucy Douglas, in Cavan, is at present the only woman gardener employed under it.

THE ROSES ARE PRUNED AND ATTENDED TO BY MISS ALICE CAMPION.

Photograph by Pictorial Agency.]

SCHEME OF INSTRUCTION IN HORTICULTURE AND THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES, 1907–8

1. The department are prepared, provided a suitable instructor in horticulture and bee-keeping can be obtained, to approve of the appointment of at least one such person for each county in Ireland. In the case of new appointments no person shall be eligible for the position of instructor in the county of which he is a native, or in which he permanently resides.

2. The department will, as far as possible, assist the county committee in obtaining an instructor, by supplying the names of persons qualified for the post. If a county committee should find it impossible to obtain a person competent to give instruction in both branches the department may sanction the employment of separate instructors for each subject.

3. The remuneration of the instructor shall not, unless in exceptional circumstances, exceed £2 per week, in addition to expenses of locomotion, which include second or third-class railway fare, as decided by the county committee, car hire when necessary, or a bicycle allowance not exceeding 2d. per mile in lieu thereof.

4. The employment of the instructor under this scheme shall not continue beyond the 30th of September, 1908, and is terminable at any time previous to that date by the giving of four weeks’ notice in writing on either side.

5. It will be the duty of the instructor to give demonstrations and, if approved, to deliver lectures on horticultural subjects, such as soils, manures, vegetable, fruit, and flower cultivation, plant diseases, and insect pests--to visit gardens and orchards, and give practical demonstrations on spraying, planting, pruning and grafting of fruit trees--to conduct such experiments and other demonstrations in the spring and summer as may be approved by the department--to select suitable land for this purpose--to supervise the sowing of the seeds and manures, and the keeping of the plots free from weeds--to weigh the produce, tabulate the figures, and prepare a report on the results--to give instruction in the principles and practice of modern bee-keeping--to deal with diseases of bees, plants, and trees--to advise farmers, cottagers, and others interested in land, as to the planting of trees, etc., for shelter and ornament--to reply to letters from those seeking his advice on horticultural and bee-keeping subjects--to report to the department and to the county committee on the progress of his work either weekly or otherwise, as may be required; and generally to give his whole time to the work and to do all in his power to further the interests of horticulture and bee-keeping in the county.

6. The instructor shall report to the county committee on all cases of foul brood which may come under his notice. He may, subject to the consent of the owner of the bees being previously obtained by him, destroy infected stocks by burning them, and shall take all due precautions against the spread of the disease. He must advise in writing the county committee of each case in which stocks are so destroyed, and the county committee may, if they think fit, pay to the owners of such stocks a sum not exceeding 5s. for each stock destroyed, provided that the amount set aside in the county scheme for compensation under this clause shall not be exceeded.

It will also be his duty to report to the county committee the names and addresses of persons in the possession of gooseberry bushes on which he has detected, or has reasonable grounds for suspecting the existence of, American gooseberry mildew.

7. For the purposes of this scheme the county should be divided into circuits. The instructor should work for three or four weeks in each circuit, and give lectures and demonstrations during that time. In cases, however, where an instructor may be employed to give instruction in bee-keeping only it will not be necessary to divide the county into circuits. In such instances demonstrations can be arranged for at centres from which applications have been made through the secretary of the county committee for his services. The instructor will visit gardens, orchards or apiaries in the district, and give such information on practical subjects as the circumstances of the case may suggest.

The county committee are alone responsible for the selection of centres for lectures and demonstrations. No work of this nature should be undertaken by the instructor, though it is desirable that he should be consulted.

8. It will be the duty of the county committee to select centres at which the lectures and demonstrations will be given, and to appoint at each centre a local committee, with an honorary secretary, who should select the school and arrange for the hiring, lighting, and warming of the room in which the lectures will be delivered.

In selecting centres the county committee should have particular regard to districts in which lectures and demonstrations may not have been given in previous years.

It will also be the duty of the county committee to undertake the responsibility of seeing that the instructor’s time is fully and usefully employed.

The county committee shall keep a separate account of all expenditure under this scheme, and shall furnish detailed statements of such expenditure as may from time to time be required by the department.

9. Where it is considered desirable to arrange for lectures, the lectures should be given in schoolrooms or other suitable public rooms in the evenings, and should be held in rural centres. Towns and the larger villages should be avoided, as experience has shown that the greatest success attends those lectures which are given in the rural parts of a county. The local committee at each centre should be responsible for appointing a representative chairman for each lecture as well as for the distribution of the short syllabus of the lectures which will be prepared by the lecturer as soon as he is appointed. The local committee should undertake to have posters and handbills, which will be supplied by the secretary of the county committee, effectively displayed and distributed throughout their district. Copies of these posters and handbills should be forwarded to the department at least a week prior to the commencement of each course of lectures. Each lecture should be followed by a discussion, during which persons interested in horticulture and bee-keeping will be invited to ask questions. Where a course of lectures has already been given a new syllabus should be presented.

10. The county committee may purchase fruit, forest and other trees, shrubs, or plants, in bulk, and resell them at cost price, including carriage, to farmers, cottagers and other residents in the county. As, however, it has come to the knowledge of the department that trees and plants infested with disease have been imported into Ireland, it will be necessary for county committees who intend to put this clause into operation to invite from nurserymen tenders for the supply of trees, etc., to be guaranteed free from disease, and before acceptance to submit the tenders to the department for examination. The department may, if they think it advisable, inspect the trees, etc., that are offered for sale, and satisfy themselves that they are suitable and free from disease.

11. The horticultural demonstrations should commence early in autumn and be continued throughout the whole year.

12. In each circuit one demonstration plot may be provisionally selected for the purpose of growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers, and showing improved methods of cultivation, but no new plots shall be selected in a county if a sufficient number of suitable plots have been established in previous years.

Before sanctioning the establishment of a new plot the department will inspect the site with a view to determining the suitability of the land, etc.

(a) In counties in which a sufficient number of suitable plots already exist the committee shall make provision for the continuance of the plots at a cost not to exceed £1 5s. per plot. (See List A on p. 270.)

All requisite labour must be given gratuitously by the owner of the plot, who will be entitled to the produce.

(b) In cases where it is necessary to establish new plots the department will require compliance with the following regulations:--

(1) Plots must not exceed a quarter of an acre in extent, or be less than one-eighth of an acre (quarter-acre plots are recommended).

(2) No new plot shall be established save at a convenient centre adjacent to a main road.

(3) Plots should be selected on sites which are properly fenced. Should, however, any fencing be necessary, the materials (i.e., a sufficient quantity of wire with wooden posts) may be supplied by the committee, provided funds have been allocated for the purpose in the county scheme; the fencing to be put up by the owner of the plot at his own expense. In no case will the department approve of expensive fencing and gates being supplied by the county committee to a plot owner.

(4) The aspect of each plot and the nature of the soil must be suitable for fruit and vegetable growing. Necessary improvements, such as drainage, must be carried out, and when required farmyard manure must be supplied by the plot owner without expense to the committee.

(5) The owner of the plot must sign an undertaking to continue the plot for three years.

(6) The necessary labour must be given gratuitously by the persons providing the plots--the produce to be their property.

The cost of trees, etc., required for planting a new plot must not exceed £3. (See List B on p. 271.)

13. The department’s approval in writing must be obtained before any expense is incurred in connection with the establishment of a plot, and application for such approval must be accompanied in each case by a detailed report from the instructor.

14. No action shall be taken by the county committee towards putting this scheme, or any part thereof, into operation until the sanction of the department has been obtained in writing.

15. In all matters of dispute relating to this scheme the decision of the department shall be final.

LIST A

LIST OF VEGETABLES, ETC., RECOMMENDED FOR A HORTICULTURAL DEMONSTRATION PLOT (NOT EXCEEDING ONE-FOURTH ACRE) ALREADY ESTABLISHED

ESTIMATED COST ABOUT £1 5s. 0d.

Vegetables

Description. Quantity. Beans, Broad 1 qt. Beans, French ½ pt. Beans, Runner ½ pt. Brussels Sprouts ½ oz. Broccoli ½ oz. Cabbage, Early 3 oz. Cabbage, Savoy ½ oz. Cauliflower ½ oz. Carrot 2 oz. Celery 100 plants. Kale, Curly ½ oz. Leek 1 oz. Lettuce 1 oz. Onion 3 oz. Onion, Potato 1 st. Parsnip 2 oz. Parsley 1 oz. Peas 3 qts. Potatoes, Early (to be boxed) 4 st. Potatoes, Late (to be boxed) 4 st. Turnips 2 oz. Vegetable Marrow 1 packet.

Flowers

Candituft 1 packet each. Canterbury Bells 1 „ Larkspur 1 „ Lupin 1 „ Mignonette 1 „ Nasturtium 1 „ Sunflower 1 „ Wallflower 1 „ Sweet Pea 1 pt.

Artificial Manures

Muriate of Potash 3 stone. Nitrate of Soda 3 „ Superphosphate 4 „

LIST B

LIST OF FRUIT TREES, PLANTS AND SEEDS, ETC., RECOMMENDED FOR A NEW HORTICULTURAL DEMONSTRATION PLOT OF ONE-FOURTH ACRE IN EXTENT

ESTIMATED COST ABOUT £3

Fruit

Description. Quantity. Apples, Bush on Paradise Stock 6 trees. Pears, Bush on Quince Stock 2 „ Plums, Bush 2 „ Currants, Red 3 bushes. Currants, White 3 „ Currants, Black 6 „ Gooseberries 12 „ Raspberries 24 canes. Strawberries 100 plants.

Vegetables

Beans, Broad 1 qt. Beans, French ½ pt. Beans, Runner ½ pt. Brussels Sprouts ½ oz. Broccoli ½ oz. Cabbage, Early 3 oz. Cabbage, Savoy ½ oz. Cauliflower ½ oz. Carrot 2 oz. Celery 100 plants. Kale, Curly ½ oz. Leek 1 oz. Lettuce 1 oz. Mint 3 plants. Marjoram 3 „ Onion (Autumn-sown) 100 „ Onion 3 oz. Onion, Potato 1 stone. Parsnip 2 oz. Parsley 1 oz. Peas 3 qts. Potatoes, Early (to be boxed) 4 st. Potatoes, Late (to be boxed) 4 st. Rhubarb 6 plants. Sage 3 „ Thyme 3 „ Turnips 2 oz. Vegetable Marrow 1 packet.

Flowers

Candituft 1 packet. Canterbury Bells 1 „ Dahlias 2 plants. Larkspur 1 packet. Lupin 1 „ Mignonette 1 „ Nasturtium 1 „ Roses 4 plants. Sunflower 1 packet. Wallflower 1 „ Sweet Pea 1 pint.

Artificial Manures

Muriate of Potash 3 st. Nitrate of Soda 3 st. Superphosphate 4 st.

APPENDIX

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR LADY GARDENERS

HINTS FOR LAYING OUT FLOWER BEDS

A Lady Gardener may have to arrange new ornamental flower beds, and a few hints about pegging out the shape may be useful. It does not always follow that a design for a formal flower plot works out as well in reality as it does upon paper. In order to gain a good impression of what their effect will be when finished they should be marked out with pegs and white tape or string tied round these to show the outline of the future beds. That is, if ground that has already been broken up is being dealt with.

Should, however, a wide stretch of lawn have to be marked out in flower beds, a capital plan is to draw the outline of them with a whitewash brush upon the grass, in the same way that a lawn tennis court is marked. Having ascertained that no improvement or alteration will be necessary, work can then be commenced with the turf cutter.

It is convenient, for drawing circular or other beds, to have a garden compass. Should this not be handy, a couple of stout iron pins and a length of rope will answer the purpose.

The compass consists of a stout iron pin and a light, flat rod of wood six to ten feet long, with holes drilled the whole length, one inch apart. One end of the rod has a perfectly round ring, which will turn easily on the pin. A second pin or rod about three feet long is needed as a marker.

In making a circular bed (Fig. 1), the centre is first determined on, and the stout pin is driven in through the ring. The marking pin is then placed in the hole corresponding to the required radius. With it the circle is drawn.

When using a cord, instead of the wooden marking pin, it must be stretched tight on the centre pin, and the radius measured along it from the pin. The marker is then passed through the rope and bound in place with a piece of twine or soft wire. Care should be taken, when marking, that the rope rests either on the ground or parallel to it.

A circular bed is the easiest of all to set out, but it is the foundation of several others. The easiest are polygons of four, six, and eight sides. To lay out a four-sided polygon (Fig. 2), equal a square: Lay off the diagonal A B. Lay off C D at right angles to A B, and join A D, D B, B C, C A.

To lay out a six-sided bed (Fig. 3), equal a hexagon: From the centre C draw a circle with radius C 1. Then from 1 with the same radius cut the circle at 2, from 2 cut it at 3, and so on. Then join 1 2, 2 3, 3 4, etc. To lay out an eight-sided bed, equal an octagon (Fig. 4): Draw a circle, lay off the diameters A B, C D at right angles to each other. Next bisect the four right angles at E F G H, and join A E, E C, C G, G B, etc.

These three are the most usual figures, but it is easy to draw any number of sides to your polygon you may require.

First draw a circle, and lay off any diameter A B. Divide A B into as many equal parts as you want sides (in Fig. 5 it is five, as that is the most usual number required, but it may be seven or nine or any other number). From A and B with radius A B describe the arcs cutting each other at C. From C draw a line to figure 2 on the diagonal and produce it till it cuts the circle at D. Then from D with radius A D cut the circle at 2´, from 2´ cut it at 3´, and so on, and join 1´ 2´, 2´ 3´, 3´ 4´, 4´ 5´.

With a circle, too, it is easy to lay out a star bed with four, six, or eight points (Fig. 6), or a half moon.

Rectangular beds are also most easily set out by means of a circle.

In a diamond the line should bisect the diagonal.

The only other shape in general use is an oval, and this is not built up on the circle. First determine the length and breadth A B, C D (Fig. 7). Bisect A B and make C D perpendicular to it at the point of bisection O. From C with radius O A, cut A B in E F. These points are the form of the oval.

Drive a stake in at E F and C, and put a cord round the three stakes. Tie the ends together, and take out the stake at C, and keeping the loop of cord taut, draw C B D A, which will be a perfect oval.

The shape of the flower beds having been decided and cut out, attention will not only have to be given to drainage, soil, and manure, but the proper shape and building up of soil will have to be considered before planting takes place. This is a matter rather insufficiently studied. It varies according to the surrounding position, arrangement of the garden and soil.

In some herbaceous borders where height at the back of the border is an advantage, it is well to build the soil up so:--

By this means tall flowers like hollyhocks, sunflowers, etc., have additional height given to them.

In formal beds, circular ones or others, the building up of the soil takes place from the sides to the centre--so:--

In other long, narrow beds the appearance is so:--

I have to thank Miss J. S. Turner for many of the above notes.

HOW TO MARK OUT A LAWN TENNIS COURT

The following are the laws laid down by the Lawn Tennis Association for the year 1907.

For the single-handed game, the court is 27 feet in width, and 78 feet in length. It is divided across the middle by a net, the ends of which are attached to the tops of two posts, which stand 3 feet outside the court on each side. The height of the net is 3 feet 6 inches at the posts, and 3 feet in the centre. At each end of the court, parallel with the net, and at a distance of 39 feet from it, are drawn the Base Lines, the extremities of which are connected by the Side Lines. Half-way between the Side Lines, and parallel with them, is drawn the Half-Court Line, dividing the space on each side of the net into two equal parts, called the Right and Left Courts. On each side of the net, at a distance of 21 feet from it, and parallel with it, are drawn the Service Lines. The marking of the part of the Half-Court Line, between the Service Lines and the Base Line, may be omitted, with the exception of a small portion at the centre of each Base Line, as indicated in the plans.

The plan here given is not the most generally used, but it may be the best adapted to the ground or to the requirements of the owner of the garden.

For the three-handed and four handed games, the court is 36 feet in width. Within the Side-Lines, at a distance of 4¼ feet from them, and parallel with them, are drawn the Service Side Lines. In other respects, the court is similar to that which is described for a single-handed game (Fig. 1).

Fig. 2 is the plan most generally used in private grounds; it is usual to continue the “Service Side Lines” as far as the Base-Lines, as shown in the dotted line B in the plan.

Keep the net loose from the posts when the ground is not used. For instructions as to the rolling, mowing, and general treatment of lawns, croquet and tennis courts, read Sutton’s “Management of Lawns.”

The following is the best way of making a mixture for marking boundary lines upon grass courts. Dissolve ordinary lump whitening in water, and use it when it is about the consistency of cream. A tumbler of milk or a small quantity of builders’ size, mixed with it, will preserve the lines from being washed out and destroyed by rain. The mixture is made in a pail or watering pot, and the tank of the marking machine is filled from it. After using the washer, the whitening should be emptied, and the tank washed, for if allowed to remain, it hardens and has to be broken up.

HOW TO LAY OUT A CROQUET GROUND

The following regulations are those laid down in 1907, and are authorised by the Croquet Association.

The ground shall be rectangular, 35 yards in length by 28 yards in width, with a defined boundary. A flag shall be placed at each corner, and corner spots, 3 feet from both boundaries, shall be accurately defined.

Points on the boundary, 3 feet from each corner flag, shall be marked by white pegs, not exceeding ¾ inch in diameter, and 3 inches above the ground.

The above is for a full-sized ground, but for smaller ones any multiple of 5 × 4 is correct.

The hoops shall be of round iron, not less than ½ inch, and not more than ¾ inch in diameter, and shall stand 12 inches out of the ground, and be firmly fixed. The crown shall be straight, and at right angles to the uprights, which shall be not less than 3¾ inches, or more than 4 inches apart (inside measurement) from the ground upwards.

The turning and the winning pegs shall be of wood, a uniform diameter above the ground of 1½ inches. They shall stand 18 inches above the ground.

The setting of the hoops and pegs shall be in accordance with the diagram given. Permission for publishing this has kindly been given by Messrs. John Jaques & Son, 102, Hatton Garden, London.

Measurements:--Pegs in centre line of ground, 7 yards from the nearest boundary; hoops up centre line of ground, 7 yards from peg and 7 yards apart; corner hoops, 7 yards from centre line and 7 yards from the nearest boundaries.

It is important in lifting the hoops for rolling and mowing, to fill up the holes with a mixture of fine dry earth and sand before replacing the hoops. By this means they are kept rigid and upright.

When the croquet season is over the hoops are put away and painted during the winter.

The best way to do this is to rub the hoops down well with fine sandpaper, and repaint them with good oil colour. Use it thin, and put on two or three coats. It is preferable to one thick coat.

* * * * *

The following notes may be useful to ladies who are seeking posts:--

THE CENTRAL BUREAU FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN,

9, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, HIGH HOLBORN, W.C.

(2nd Floor)

Two minutes from British Museum, Central London Railway; two minutes from Piccadilly and Brompton Railway, Holborn Station.

Telegrams: “Einheit.” Telephone: 4858 Central. Chairman: THE MARCHIONESS OF SALISBURY Vice-Chairman: MRS. W. E. HAITLAND Hon. Treasurer: H. JOHN FALK, ESQ. Secretary: MISS M. G. SPENCER

OBJECTS OF THE CENTRAL BUREAU

1. To prevent unemployment, and the evils resulting therefrom.

2. To help women, especially those of good education, to help themselves, by guiding them into suitable permanent work.

3. To promote the training of the unprepared, and thus raise the general standard of efficiency.

4. To maintain records of women desiring employment, and of employers having vacancies.

5. To collect and circulate information as to various occupations.

6. To study and record the fluctuations of demand and supply in various occupations.

7. To publish advertisement lists, newspapers, and other printed matter, by which the purposes of the society may be advanced.

8. To promote and co-operate with other bureaus and societies having objects wholly or partly similar.

Nature of the Work.--The work of the Central Bureau consists largely in counteracting those evils of social prejudice and defective training which have hitherto prevented many women of the educated class from being able to earn their own livelihood. It therefore includes not only what is ordinarily understood to be the work of an employment registry, but also the more laborious and less immediately remunerative business of investigating possible openings for employment, promoting sound schemes for apprenticeship and training, and so advising and helping women as to enable them to make their services of genuine value to the community. Did space permit, it would be possible to give a long list of those women who have been enabled, through guidance received at the bureau, to fill satisfactorily positions of considerable responsibility and importance. By a carefully considered system of indexing and tabulation, the Central Bureau is able to make the results of its work available for the purposes of the statistician and the economic inquirer. The advantages of this system have been recognised by the committees of other women’s employment bureaus, which have now, with few exceptions, adopted the same method of tabulation. But while endeavouring to introduce improvements in method, the council of the Central Bureau are far from losing sight of the individual needs of each employer and applicant for work, realising that upon the full comprehension of individual circumstances the success of the work depends.

REGISTRY FEES FOR APPLICANTS

(Those for employers seem unnecessary for our purpose here)

Registration, covering a period of three months, 1s. 6d; Suiting fees, permanent posts on salaries not exceeding 10s. per week, non-resident, 2s. 6d.; resident, 5s.; not exceeding 15s. per week, non-resident, 3s. 9d.; resident, 7s. 6d.: not exceeding 20s. per week, non-resident, 5s.; resident, 10s.: not exceeding 30s. per week, non-resident, 7s. 6d.; resident, 15s.; not exceeding 40s. per week, non-resident, 10s.; resident, 20s.--being half per cent. on first year’s salary, non-resident; and one per cent. on first year’s salary, resident. Temporary posts not exceeding three months, one per cent. on salary for the term, but not less than 2s. 6d. Temporary post not exceeding one week, 1s. 6d. Suiting fees in every case are payable on engagement. Hours of interviews, 11.30 to 1, and 2.30 to 4.30, excepting Monday mornings and Saturdays. In order to save time, callers are asked to write for appointments. Fees for consultation, 6d. and 1s.

Publications.--The Central Bureau publishes Women’s Employment (price 1d., post free, 1½d.). The issue of this publication, which appears on the first Friday in the month, contains articles on employment subjects, written by experts, together with advertisements, and information as to training. Intermediate lists of vacant situations and workers disengaged are published fortnightly at the same price. Women’s Employment (including the intermediate Lists) may also be obtained from the Secretary of the Central Bureau on payment of 3s. per annum. The Central Bureau has also published a pamphlet entitled the Finger Post (price 1s. 6d.), containing 70 articles, written by experts, on professions for educated women.

* * * * *

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE,

92, VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, S.W.

Here, information is given of every kind upon social subjects, training for professions, board, education, etc. A member is entitled to have six questions a year answered free; non-members pay a small fee. Recreations of various sorts are also given, and three programmes are issued yearly of lectures, conferences, debates, social and musical afternoons and evenings. The library is well provided with books on subjects of interest to women, and on sociology.

The institute was founded in 1897, in the hope, which has already been fulfilled, that it might be able to provide something of the nature of a central office or “clearing house” of the various departments of woman’s work which are now scattered over the whole field of English social life. It is no part of the aim of the institute itself to take up any department of work in competition with existing societies, much less to interfere in any way with their management. Its object is rather to make the work of existing societies better known, through its Information Bureau, through the circulation of literature, through meetings and conferences held within its walls, and lastly, by bringing the workers in one department into touch with those in another, by means of frequent social gatherings.

WHAT THE INSTITUTE OFFERS TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

The social side of the institute has been organised with the double object:--

1. Of bringing workers into friendly communication.

2. Of offering to isolated workers some of the recreation to which all workers are entitled.

SOME OF THE FEATURES ARE:--

1. A weekly “At Home” held by the executive committee.

2. Lectures and debates.

3. A musical society.

4. An art society.

5. A recreation department.

6. A circulating library of special books.

7. A voluntary workers’ association for philanthropic work.

It is not desired that women should join the institute in the expectation that it should be a direct means of enabling them to obtain work, but a register is kept of members’ requirements, and the institute co-operates with the Central Bureau for the Employment of Women in the interests of its own members.

CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

Men, as well as women, are eligible for membership.

Agreement to abide by and be subject to the rules and bye-laws of the institute for the time being in force.

Terms for general members (men and women): Annual subscription, £1 1s. Terms for American, Colonial and Foreign members (men and women): Annual subscription, 10s. 6d. Office hours: 10 to 6, except Saturdays, when the institute is open 10 to 1.

The institute is closed on Bank Holidays and for one month at the end of summer.

* * * * *

Those who are strangers in London and are doubtful where to stay while they are seeking for posts may be glad to know of the following:

BRABAZON HOUSE, LTD.

Hopkinson House, 88, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W. Brabazon House, Moreton Street, S.W.

Single rooms, with use of sitting-rooms, piano, and papers, 7s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. a week; double rooms, 12s. to 18s. 6d. a week; cubicles, 5s., 5s. 6d., 6s., 6s. 6d., and 7s.

Ladies are expected to provide their own soap, towels, toilet covers, and serviettes. Each lady is required to give two references. By the night: room, 2s. to 3s.; cubicle, 1s. 6d. By the meal: breakfast, 6d.; lunch, 9d.; tea, 4d.; dinner, 1s. Hours of meals: breakfast, 7.45 to 8.45 a.m.; lunch, 1 p.m.; tea, 4.30 p.m.; dinner, 7.30 p.m. Sundays: breakfast, 8.45 to 9.30 a.m.; dinner, 1.30 p.m.; tea, 5 p.m.; supper, 8.45 p.m. Tariff: breakfast and late dinner with full meals on Sundays, 8s. 6d. per week; lunch and afternoon tea provided if required; full board (by the week), 10s. 6d. A reduction will be made to those unable to be present at all the dinners.

Managing Director and Secretary: MISS LINDSEY.

PRINTED BY CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE, LONDON, E.C.

Transcriber’s Notes:

1. Obvious printers’, punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected silently.

2. Where hyphenation is in doubt, it has been retained as in the original.

3. Superscripts are represented using the caret character, e.g. D^r. or X^{xx}.

4. Italics are shown as xxx.