November, 1909 
clever Parisian gar- 
deners was induced 
to come and take 
over the control of 
the farm. Under his 
guidance the rough 
patch of land was 
speedily trans- 
formed into a rep- 
lica of the gardens 
with which visitors 
to the French capi- 
tal are familiar. 
Owing to the some- 
what open situation 
the plot of ground 
has been fenced 
around with galvan- 
ized iron _palings, 
but this would not 
be needful in shel- 
tered places. From 
the commencement 
it has been the desire 
of the principals to 
copy the system 
in its entirety, and one of the ladies informed the writer 
with just pride that everything that could be made had been 
All the assistants and students 
are at once initiated into the mysteries of frame-making, 
manufactured on the spot. 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
Hot beds covered with straw mats 
445 
culture of the land, 
it may be mentioned 
that more than a 
dozen ladies find 
continuous employ- 
ment on this piece 
of ground. Of 
course, the labor 
consists in planting, 
watering and venti- 
lating the crops— 
the latter a very im- 
portant item. 
It may be pointed 
out that the French 
system which has 
been described 
above is of special 
interest at the pres- 
ent time when the 
cry of “back to the 
land” is so much to 
the fore. Many 
people, tired of a 
city life, would find 
a healthful and re- 
munerative occupation in the “‘cloche” method of culture. 
It is from almost every point of view well adapted to the 
small grower, and the person who shrinks at the re- 
sponsibilities involved in the farming of a large tract of 
glazing and painting—the quality of the work which they country. As well, many estate owners would find that to 
turn out showing 
that girls are not 
lacking in the abil- 
ities to do this spe- 
cial kind of work. 
Only a few months 
after the starting of 
the farm at That- 
cham the daily aver- 
age of lettuces de- 
spatched was as high 
as six hundred in 
addition to a large 
amount of other 
produce. This was 
in the early part of 
the year, just when 
all kinds of salads 
command the high- 
est price, and the 
financial outcome of 
the proceedings was 
all that could be de- 
sired. As showing 
how intensive is the 
adopt the system on 
a portion of their 
ground would much 
add to the resources 
of the kitchen gar- 
den, a hitherto un- 
expected supply of 
out of season fruits 
and vegetables be- 
ing rendered _ possi- 
ble. In all ways 
the matter is one 
which should com- 
mand the attention 
of those who are 
interested in horti- 
culture. 
But although the 
work is compara- 
tively light, do not 
imagine it to be 
“easy.” No farm 
or garden work is. 
But it can often be 
lightened. 
