1920.] 



Woman Adviser to the Ministry. 



409 



On the lower walk trained trees of Pitmaston, which last year 

 produced record fruit, including two specimens weighing 24 and 

 28 oz., faced west, and a few more peaches south-west. 

 Monarch and other plums showing an abundance of fruit, hut 

 like so many others this year rather troubled with green fly, 

 faced south-east, and a small plantation of bush Morellos faced 

 north-east, with trained trees of the same on the north wall. 

 Around the edge of this w^alk were bush and half standard Cox's 

 Orange Pippin and Worcester Pearmain, all setting well, inter- 

 spersed with early potatoes, and in the south-east corner a small 

 plantation of Whinham's Industry gooseberries. About 

 15 years ago two old Waterloo peach trees were planted here as 

 standards, and bore regular crops (including over 1,500 fruits 

 in 1914) until quite recently, when, being nearly 30 years old 

 and worn out, they were destroyed. 



On the lowest slope were trained Cox's Cordon Orange Pippin, 

 mostly well set, and on the level ground, now 50 feet below the 

 surface, were about 40 healthy and well-grown specimens of bush 

 peaches, pears and apples. In between these trees and on all 

 the slopes daffodils, narcissus and other bulbs were planted in 

 quantity. 



Watering the fruit trees has been found quite unnecessary, and 

 it is thought that the slopes collect the rain and carry it to the 

 roots of the trees. Manure is generally applied in the form of 

 a mulch in summer, and a proprietary plant food has occasion- 

 ally been used. The trees have been kept clean and healthy by 

 occasional winter washing with caustic soda, and, when neces- 

 sary, biting and sucking insects have been disposed of by means 

 of arsenate of lead and quassia-soap sprays respectively. 



On the ground adjoining the pit an excellent fruit store to hold 

 upwards of 300 bushels of fruit has been built in two storeys, 

 the lower of w^hich is underground and keeps fruit in good 

 condition to a very late period — this year until the end of May. 



The w^hole undertaking provides an invaluable object lesson 

 on the utihsation of w\qste land. 



The Ministry, with the approval of II. M. Treasury, has 

 appointed Dame Meriel Talbot, D.B.E., to be Woman Adviser 

 A Woman Adviser ^^^^ Ministry. The object of this appoint- 

 to the Ministry ^^^'^^ ^^^^ fullest use may be made 

 of women's experience, interest and work 

 in the agricultural and rural life of the country. Dame Meriel 



