WHERE MISS HESTER PERRIN DEVOTES MUCH TIME TO THE SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION OF BULBS AND PLANTS.
Photograph by Pictorial Agency.
Leggings.—These, too, are important, and should be of leather, and similar to those worn by men. Buttons or spring fastenings are to be avoided. The spiral strap fastening with a buckle is the most practical, and brown leather is better than black, as it is more easily cleaned. Cloth leggings, gaiters or puttees should not be worn they are troublesome to clean.
Gloves.—Thick leather gloves are useful when working among thorns and thistles. Many jobs, such as thinning out small things, pruning and nailing, cannot be properly done in gloves. When working among wet vegetables, they only make the hands cold, and encourage chilblains. Hands will wash, but it is as well to be provided with a bottle of nail-cleaning fluid, a box of orange sticks, and a little cotton wool. A hand nail brush must not be used, but soap and water should be vigorously applied.
Apron or Overall.—This will keep the skirt clean, and if there is a large pocket in the front it will be useful to keep scissors, a knife, raffia, or string in it for tying roses to pergolas, or picking flowers. A blue serge apron looks best, or an overall made of sacking, with a belt round the waist, is neat.
OTHER REQUISITES
Medicine Chest.—There will often be exposure to rough weather. A bottle of Eau de Cologne saturated with camphor is a necessity. It should be rubbed on the skin after washing, and it will tone it up and keep the surface smooth. It is a good hair tonic, and relieves headache; it also takes away toothache, and twenty drops on a lump of sugar will generally prevent a cold after working in damp weather. Scrubbs’ cloudy ammonia put into a very hot bath is refreshing after a hard day. Quinine is indispensable to those who can take it.
I need mention no other requisites for a medicine cupboard, as, unless one is strong and active, a gardener’s life will not be chosen. The chief risk that arises is that of taking cold, especially when work necessitates going in and out of a greenhouse, and thus being subjected to unusual changes of temperature. To guard against this, a knitted woollen golfing blouse should be kept handy. It is so thick, that it will keep out the coldest, most piercing wind, and can be easily slipped over the flannel blouse when leaving a greenhouse.
Bicycle.—Should there not be a cart for the gardener’s use, a bicycle is indispensable. Visits to other gardens are of interest if only for the sake of comparison. Often, too, by making friends with neighbouring gardeners, cuttings of new plants or seeds can be exchanged. A basket can be fixed to the handle-bars of the bicycle, in which can be put books and papers, whilst larger things are tied to the carrier behind. It will be found useful to understand the management of a repair outfit for punctures. The more independent of outside help a lady gardener is, the better she will get on, and the happier she will be.