GIRLS’ EMPLOYMENTS.
Would-be Florist (Horticulture).—To be trained in the Nurseries Department of the Horticultural College, Swanley, Kent, would occupy two years for the full course, and would cost not less than £70 a year for board, lodging and tuition. Girls who have done well during the course usually soon obtain posts. Some of these situations are as teachers of gardening at institutions, others as gardeners to private ladies or to lady gardeners. Teachers and gardener companions receive about 25s. a week with board and lodging. As ordinary gardeners they could not expect to receive more than the sum mentioned, with possibly an unfurnished cottage, but no board. Too few women have attempted to grow flowers as a means or livelihood for us to be able to say whether this kind of enterprise is to be recommended; but such success as may attend it will certainly only come to women who have some capital and a disposition to work indefatigably, denying themselves almost all social relaxation. Undoubtedly it is not a business for every girl.
Ivy (Needlework).—Some of the large drapers employ ladies in the making of underlinen and children’s clothes. But we should think that in the district from which you write there must be numerous ladies who could employ a needlewoman in repairing and altering dresses. You had better advertise in the leading local paper.
Danish Gipsy (Editorial Secretaryship).—Such positions are usually obtained by ladies who have a decided talent for journalism and are active, energetic, and well educated. You are certainly at least four years too young to hope for such an appointment now. But you had better be receiving such an education and training as would qualify you for a secretaryship of any kind when you are grown up. You should study French, German, English history and geography, composition, shorthand, type-writing and book-keeping. If you do all this, by the time you are nineteen or twenty you would have become one of those girls for whom employment societies have no difficulty in finding an engagement. There is no “writers’ union” so far as we are aware. It is possible that the Incorporated Society of Authors, the Institute of Journalists, or the Writers’ Club may be meant. You might find it helpful to join some amateur literary society.
Mermaid (Stewardess).—You should call at the offices of the Peninsular and Oriental and the Orient Steamships Companies, and inquire whether there is likely to be any vacancy for a stewardess. The companies, however, generally know of a good many suitable women for such positions. The duties of a stewardess, about which you inquire, are to wait on the lady passengers. A certain amount of experience in hospital nursing is regarded as a strong recommendation.