6 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



computed that about 1,300 growers practise the 

 intensive system of cultivation at the present time 

 on about 3,000 acres of land. These growers have 

 about 460,000 lights, and from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 

 bell-glasses or cloches among them. The largest 

 number of lights used by a single individual is said 

 to be 1,400, and the smallest 60 ; while the greatest 

 number of cloches used by one man is said to be 

 5,000, the lowest number being 100. 



The produce grown by these market-gardeners is 

 considered to be worth over half a million sterling 

 yearly giving an average of about 400 to each 

 grower. 



WORK IN A FRENCH GARDEN 



Those who produce early vegetables and salads 

 have by no means an easy time in French gardens 

 proper. Every one is awake before daylight, and 

 the women play their part as well as the men. In 

 summer they are often up at 2 o'clock in the morning, 

 and in winter at 4 o'clock, so as to be ready to sell 

 the produce at the central markets. When they re- 

 turn home they attend to such work as weeding, and 

 packing, or pulling the vegetables for the following 

 day's market. In all their work they are assisted 

 by their daughters, and although the work is not 

 exactly rough, it is nevertheless very tiring, because 

 they are often obliged to kneel on the ground for the 

 greater part of the day regardless of the season or 

 the weather. 



The men commence work after the women have 

 gone to market. At 7 o'clock in the morning they 



