A WORD TO AMATEUR GARDENERS 31 



to attend to these operations himself, or must delegate 

 the duties to some intelligent member of his house- 

 hold. Otherwise his crops are sure to suffer. 



In large private establishments (as distinguished 

 from purely commercial ones) the proprietors fre- 

 quently employ gardeners skilled in the production 

 of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Where these are 

 grown early in hothouses perhaps the system of 

 cloches, hot-beds, and lights will not appeal very 

 strongly. In cases, however, where there is but 

 little or no glass, one might do worse than invest 

 in two or three hundred cloches and a few frames 

 and lights bearing in mind that there ought to be 

 a good supply of water always available. 



It is impossible to estimate exactly the probable 

 outlay and annual expenses that would be incurred 

 by any particular amateur, but as may be seen from 

 the figures below, a good deal could be done by the 

 outlay of 20, and more of course in proportion to 

 what is spent. For a small garden the following 

 estimate may serve as an example : 



*. d. 

 ioo Cloches .. .. .. .. .. 600 



6 Frames @ io/- each . . . . . . 300 



18 Lights @ 7/6 each . . . . . . 6 15 o 



18 Mats @ 1/6 each 170 



Tools and Sundry Expenses, say . . 300 



Total Cost of Establishment . . 20 2 o 



The prices quoted are higher than those given on 

 p. 25, as small purchasers usually have to pay more 

 for material than large ones. 



