As this book aims at introducing lady gardeners to employers, I should like to ask for these gentlewomen the good treatment, absolute trust, gentle handling, which their position entitles them to receive. Without the entire confidence of their masters, no ladies would wish to take up a post, but with their support, and the power to dismiss those under their authority who they find are dishonest or undeserving, lady gardeners should be absolutely successful. No longer need there be that frequent termination to all pleasure in a large garden, when the head gardener grows only what he likes, and not what his master requires. How often, when shown round a large place, one is struck by the remark, “Oh, Dibber never lets us have violets or carnations, all his interest is centred in vegetable growing”; or “Truman gives all his time to preparing plants for exhibition; he is certainly very successful in winning prizes, but we come off badly, as all the best things are sent to exhibitions!” Instead, therefore, of having someone to contend with, or a man whose obstinacy has to be circumvented before a bunch of sweet peas can be brought into the house, you will have a friend who will endeavour to give you all she can successfully grow, and whose taste and judgment can be relied upon.
Every year the number of women students at horticultural colleges increases. The profession appeals to many, and there are now a large number who, having completed their education, are seeking posts. Up to the present time, the supply is in excess of the demand. This is, I believe, the case with all professions until they have become firmly established. Employers still hesitate to try a lady gardener. Then, too, the ladies who up to now have desired to have women head gardeners, have usually possessed large gardens, needing many hands to work them. It is natural that the young woman who but lately was a student, superintended and guided in all her undertakings by a teacher, hesitates about managing a large garden. There are many such who still hold back in diffidence, hoping to obtain a small post first.
I sincerely trust, when this is fully realised by those interested in the success of women horticulturalists, that many owners of medium sized or small gardens will come forward and offer posts to women. A garden of one or two acres, with a small greenhouse, and only one or two labourers for rough work, will be best suited to a newly fledged lady gardener. She should be able to manage this, and two or three years spent in it will be a good preparation for a post entailing larger responsibilities. I do not think that anyone who is generous spirited enough to offer such posts to ladies will repent the act.
Part II
CHAPTER XIV
COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS FOR LADY GARDENERS IN GREAT BRITAIN
The following syllabuses of British colleges and schools are submitted for the use of ladies interested in gardening. It is hoped that they may assist all those who, in England or abroad, have the management of such training centres. By means of them it will be easy to compare notes as to the various methods of imparting practical information the form in which foreign syllabuses are staged may inspire fresh ideas. I should like to add that I do not, of course, consider what I am able to give of these particulars as in any way comprehensive; but it has been my endeavour to insert only details of colleges and schools that have been in existence some time. I have received the syllabuses and many interesting notes through the kindness of those who have at heart the wish that ladies should succeed in the profession of horticulture.
THE THATCHAM FRUIT AND FLOWER FARM SCHOOL OF GARDENING, HENWICK, NEAR NEWBURY
Principals: Lily Hughes Jones, F.R.H.S.; Mary Peers, F.R.H.S.
(1st Class Certificates and Bee Experts)
The farm is situated on high ground in the Kennet Valley, facing south, one and three-quarter miles from Newbury, two miles from Thatcham Station, about twelve miles from Reading, and one-quarter mile from the Bath Road.