10 GAEDENING FOR WOMEN 



refuse ! But if her intelligence is not sufficient 

 to make her soar speedily beyond the powers of 

 a £1 a week man gardener, she had better take 

 up other work, for she certainly cannot compete 

 with him in physical strength. 



A course of study for two or three years, such 

 as I have described, is certainly not too lengthy. 

 Each plant, shrub, tree, goes through the same 

 phases once in each year. Although these processes 

 are repeated year after year, they may be sub- 

 jected to variations of weather and temperature. 

 Different treatment is probably necessary each 

 year. Time only can show this. Books teach 

 much and so also do lectures, but only when sup- 

 plemented by practical experience, will they make 

 a competent gardener. 



The intending girl-gardener should make up 

 her mind from the beginning that she must spend 

 money on a three years' course of training. It 

 should be taken in the way that best suits the 

 individual case ; there need never be regret for 

 the money spent upon it. It is only by skill and 

 knowledge that employment will eventually be 

 secured. 



Therefore the beginner should do some practical 

 work in a garden, and cram botany, chemistry, 

 and physics into her head. When she has a 

 free day, or if other opportunity occurs, visits 



