GAEDENING FOR WOMEN 57 



and it will help preserve the dress. Thin water- 

 proof is preferable to leather for this purpose, as 

 it is lighter, and does not hang like a log round 

 the wearer when she has been out in the rain for 

 some time. 



The colour of the coat and skirt should depend 

 upon what will least show the soil when it rubs 

 ofi as tools are handled or heavy mud is walked 

 through. For winter, homespun, Scotch, West of 

 England, or Irish tweed should be worn ; a heather 

 mixture or light brown are best, as these show 

 dust less than darker colours. In summer, navy 

 blue looks smart and workmanlike, but will get 

 dirty easily, so it should only be kept for when 

 clean jobs are undertaken. 



Blue fishwife's flannel is inexpensive, and 

 washes well. A loose coat or Norfolk jacket of 

 the same material as the skirt is useful to slip 

 over a blouse when the weather is cold, or after 

 work is finished. 



It should be seen that the tailor gives two 

 comfortable deep pockets, and makes a wide collar 

 with a flap, by which it can be fastened at the 

 neck in rainy weather. Unless the necessity of 

 these details is pointed out, he will probably 

 skimp cloth and work. The tailor should be con- 

 sulted as to the material best suited, an explanation 

 having been given to him of the hard wear to 



