Many millions of money are annually paid by Great Britain to foreign countries for various articles of food, a large part of which could be equally well raised at home, if the best methods of their production were more widely known and acted upon.
This association is still quite in its infancy, but a committee has been formed to act as a means of communication between ladies desiring instruction in the various branches of minor food production and ladies and gentlemen competent to give the necessary teaching. Letters addressed to the Honorary Secretaries, Miss Thorn or Miss May Thorn, Southover Grange, Lewes, Sussex, will receive attention. I believe these ladies have already tested the scheme themselves, and found poultry and pig keeping decidedly remunerative.
Machine Knitters.—A great many girls are employed in working knitting-machines. They have to give a short time to learn how to manage the machine, and then their earnings are from 10s. to 15s. a week. The hours of work are generally eight a day, but these vary with the season. This trade is not overstocked.
Hairdressing.—This is a very suitable occupation for women, and it is a great pity they are not more extensively employed. Messrs. Truefitt and Douglas are still the only two large firms where girls are employed in dressing ladies' hair. Mr. H. P. Truefitt, 13, Old Bond Street, tells me he always trains the young women in his own workshops, and that a moderately apt girl is ready to take her turn in the hair-dressing saloon in six or nine months. Their average earnings are from 32s. to 35s. weekly. Hours of work are from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Mr. Douglas's (also of Bond Street) rules are almost the same. The last set of girls Mr. Truefitt trained were ladies, and he found the intelligence they brought to bear on their profession and the difference in their address to ladies much appreciated.
Perfumery.—Mr. Eugene Rimmel, 96, Strand, employs 60 young women in making-up valentines, scent-packets, &c., and in gumming labels on to bottles, packing violet powder, bottles of scent, and in various other ways. Their wages begin at 8s. a week and rise to 21s. The work is quite light and easy. The hours are from 8 to 1, and 2 to 7.30. The young ladies he employs to serve in his shops have rather higher salaries. They begin at 10s. a week, and rise to £2.
Stationery Work.—Most of the wholesale stationers employ large numbers of women. The firm that kindly furnished me with the following particulars employs 100. They go as apprentices for two years, paying a premium of a guinea, and they receive in wages, for the first six months, 1s. a week; during the second, 2s. 6d.; the third, 5s.; during the fourth, and last six months, 7s. 6d. a week. After that time their wages vary from 10s. to 15s. a week. They are employed in book folding and sewing, stamping paper, and in various other ways. The hours of work are from 8.30 to 7; Saturdays until 1.30. An hour is allowed them for dinner, and two short intervals of from a quarter of an hour to twenty minutes for luncheon and tea.
Superintendents in Laundries.—It is desired to employ ladies as superintendents of laundries. The work is not at all disagreeable, as, of course, they are not expected to do any of the washing; only they must have a thorough knowledge of how it should be done, including the proper amount of soap, starch, &c., to use. The salaries are about £80 a year, as well as board and lodging. Application should be made to some of the large laundry companies.
Artificial Flower Making.—Large numbers of women are employed in this trade. They should begin very young, immediately they leave school, and it is a great advantage to them if their fingers happen to be pointed. A large West End firm where I made inquiries employs 60 or 70 women. The hours of work are from 9 till 8, with an hour and a half's interval for refreshment; on Saturdays they cease working at 2. The wages vary from 14s. to 22s. a week. To learn the business it is usual to give a few months; no premium is expected. The large City houses, I believe, pay by the piece. Making common flowers is very unhealthy work.
Feather Making.—Girls are not generally apprenticed to this trade, but begin to learn it when they are very young. Their wages commence at 2s. or 2s. 6d. a week, rising eventually to 15s. or £1. The hours of work are from 9 to 7, out of which time half an hour is allowed for dinner, and half an hour for tea.
Jewellery.—Women are employed in most manufacturing jewellers' as polishers. They are apprenticed for two years without a premium, but during that time they receive no wages. Afterwards they are paid from 5d. to 8d. an hour, according to their skill. The hours of work are usually nine a day, from 8.30 to 1, and from 2 to 6.30.