164 
Garden Clothes for Women 
[Is it possible for a woman to feel comfortable and 
look attractive while gardening? Has the subject of garden 
clothing advanced any since Noah’s time?” These two 
questions were asked in the July, 1907, number of Tue 
Garpen Macazine, although we realized at the time that 
they had probably been definitely settled by many of our 
readers. While the latter is very easily answered, we have 
found the former more difficult to solve; therefore, prizes 
were offered for the most interesting articles on the subject 
and from those received, the following have been selected 
as giving the most practical and attractive outfits for 
women,—Epiror} 
AN ALL-ENVELOPING APRON 
HE combination of comfort with an 
attractive appearance when dressed 
for garden work seems to be exceedingly hard 
Re eee eee AEE AMEEEEE E 
This apron of brown linen holland quite covers the 
dress and the coloris in harmony 
to obtain. The problem was solved for me 
by a friend who presented me with an apron 
she had purchased abroad, which completely 
covers whatever dress I may have on. 
It is capacious, made of a medium shade 
of brown linen holland, gored a little at the 
sides and closed the length of the skirt 
behind. It is two yards wide at the bottom 
above the ruffle. A straight band of wide 
embroidery in the gayest colors, headed by 
narrow bias bands of turkey red piped with 
black, extends from under the arms to about 
the waist line. To this are attached the 
shoulder straps, which are also trimmed 
with the turkey red bands and piping, as 
well as the ruffle about the bottom of the 
skirt and the large pocket. The color of 
the apron seems to suit the garden, and the 
gay trimming makes it attractive. I have 
also made this apron from blue gingham 
and have found it extremely serviceable. 
When the sun is very hot I wear a washable 
canvas hat, and to protect my hands a pair 
of men’s heavy gloves. Washable chamois 
THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 
gloves several sizes larger than one ordi- 
narily wears will also be very satisfactory. 
A garden tool (if I may call it so)without 
which I seldom stir isa small wooden bench 
about eighteen inches long and eight inches 
high, made like the old-fashioned wash- 
bench. I put this little bench astride the 
row, and sit down upon it to do whatever 
weeding or thinning of plants is necessary. 
New Jersey. Laura B. CARPENTER. 
WHY NOT A DIVIDED SKIRT? 
jAETES several years of farm life, with 
much hard work indoorsand out, I have 
relegated the separate shirt-waist and skirt 
to formal business away from home. 
The dress which suits my purpose better 
than anything else is a one-piece gown made 
on Princess lines, with a divided skirt 
plaited in such a way that this fact is not: 
visible. It can be worn without any of the 
conventional accessories, and it is put on 
as quickly and is as comfortable as a bathing 
suit. The material is a heavy gray linen 
crash, bought at a country store at fifteen 
centsa yard. It is lighter weight than denim, 
cooler, is easily washed, does not hold the 
dirt and does not pull out of shape. My 
shortest woolen skirts have become so heavy 
with damp earth in spring as to be very un- 
comfortable. In summer this dress is made 
of linen with low collar and loose sleeves. 
A denim or corduroy coat outside a sweater 
is generally considered the warmest thing 
for outdoor work. We extend the sweater 
idea to the knees and wear heavy linen or 
duck outside. Horseback riding, walking 
and snow-shoeing being part of our business, 
and comfort being real economy, we find 
woolen materials in coats, skirts, or trousers 
not free enough for work or exercise and, 
in comparison to their weight, not as warm 
as knitted garments. 
In one of the first numbers of THE GARDEN 
MAGAZINE-FARMING, women were advised 
to wear sunbonnets “with poke before and 
cape behind” when working in the garden. 
A one-piece gown having a divided skirt and made 
of heavy material gives the greatest freedom 
a 
APRIL, 1908 
A cheap material, simply made in a loose fitting 
style with short skirt solves the problem 
Mine is made of the straw covering of a tea 
chest, which is light in weight, stiff enough 
to keep away from the sides of the head, and 
stays in place except in a strong wind without 
tying the strings. It is made without a cape 
and is much cooler than a starched bonnet. 
“A seersucker apron with pockets” was 
also advised. 
the dirt,” the apron pockets are apt to spill 
pencils and labels. I find a leather pocket 
hung on a loose belt more convenient. It 
holds many packets of seed, twine, several 
wooden labels, pencil, garden plan, hand- 
kerchief, etc. A sheath knife is hung on 
the same belt. 
I find cotton gauntlet gloves the only really 
comfortable ones. They keep dry longer than 
leather, keep out dirt without having sleeves 
sewed on to them, and are easily removed 
when clean fingers are needed for any 
purposes. A VERMONTER. 
A DRESS FOR ALL SEASONS 
| ee the past two years I have worn a 
costume consisting of a short skirt, 
blouse waist, bloomers and leggings all made 
of either blue or brown 
pin-check denim, which 
is heavy enough to stand 
nard usage. It is cheap, 
practical and very com- 
fortable and is not too 
warm for summer wear. 
A very serviceable de- 
vice for protecting the 
hands consists of a pair 
of men’s gloves of heavy 
weight cut off at the 
wrist and the V-shaped 
opening sewed up. A 
gathered piece of heavy 
gingham is stitched on to the glove wrist, and 
at the other end of this material an elastic 
is run in to keep it in place. The gingham 
should be wide enough to cover the sleeve to 
the elbow. 
New Hampshire. 
Heavy gloves with 
gingham sleeves pro- 
tect the hands 
L. FOSTER. 
If one really “gets down in 
