The question of finding a suitable cottage for a lady gardener is sometimes considered a difficulty by employers. But this need not be so. As a rule, the cottage stands alone in the kitchen garden, or near by, and what is large enough for a married man with many children will suit a lady admirably.
IN THE GARDEN AT FORTFIELD HOUSE, TERENURE, CO. DUBLIN.
BELONGING TO L. PERRIN HATCHELL, ESQ., AND IN WHICH MISS HESTER PERRIN DEVOTES MUCH TIME AND LABOUR.
Photograph by Pictorial Agency.
A lady gardener will want either a companion or a servant, as it is too tiring for her to cook and manage for herself after a hard day’s work. There are several ways of arranging this comfortably. Should the salary be a large one, it will be best to have a servant to cook and undertake all household duties. If the cost of a resident servant is too great, it will probably be possible to make some arrangement with a woman in the village. She will come for so many hours a day for cleaning and rough work, and the cooking can be dealt with by the gardener herself. As, however, it is extremely important that she should keep in good health, I urge that she should endeavour, by some arrangement or other, to get the cooking and house work done for her. There is sure to be an extra bedroom in the cottage, and should it be impossible to keep a servant, it can probably be arranged to have either a friend or a garden student as companion, who is willing to take over these small responsibilities. Often there are ladies training for Colonial work, who would gladly come and manage, in exchange for board and lodging. Vegetables are allowed to a gardener, and, therefore, she can easily afford to pay for the board of someone who helps her. Sometimes milk is provided for the use of a head gardener, and also coals. Before a post is accepted it should be ascertained exactly to what she is entitled, and then a calculation should be made as to how expenses can best be met. It must be remembered, however, that good, well-cooked food often saves a doctor’s bill; so no pains should be spared to live well. The greater variety that can be managed in the case of food, the better the health will be. Women living alone are very apt, from laziness, to fall into a habit of drinking tea and eating only bread and butter. Work certainly cannot be done on this; solid food is absolutely necessary.
With a view to assisting lady gardeners to undertake their own cooking in cases of emergency, I am able, through the kindness of Miss J. S. Turner, to give a few hints which may, I hope, be of use.
For roasting, an American roaster, which can be placed in the oven and requires no attention for basting, is necessary. If there is a close range, the earthenware French casseroles and marmites are nicer than saucepans. There are many American “notions” too, that save labour.
Asbestos mats for placing under saucepans on a closed stove only cost 4d. each, and prevent the contents burning.
Aluminium utensils are much better than those of iron or tin. They cost more, but are indestructible, and easily kept clean.