36 GARDENING FOE WOMEN 



are still on the ground, what preparation has been 

 made for winter and spring crops, and the state 

 the houses and frames are in. Everything under 

 her care must be clean and in good order. 



Her aim is to fulfil all requirements of the 

 family which she serves, and, in order to succeed, 

 she must ascertain their wants. These vary with 

 each family, and it is not possible to lay down 

 any fixed rules. Many questions that will need 

 answering should be noted down, and an inter- 

 view should be requested of the lady of the house, 

 or whoever is most interested in the garden. 



I will only draw attention to a few points which 

 need consideration, and these can either be decided 

 by the gardener herself, should she be given a 

 free hand, or settled by the employer. 



(1) The hours of work and holidays for the 

 garden staff. Arrangements should be made also 

 for power to dismiss any subordinate who is 

 lazy or misbehaves ; and this should be acted upon 

 without hesitation upon the first proof of neglect. 



(2) The payment of men, and the number of 

 extra ones allowed for additional work. In large 

 gardens, this matter comes under the estate 

 department, but in small gardens the head gardener 

 deals with it. 



(3) The days and hours that will be most con- 

 venient for the despatch of routine work, such as 



