COCONUT PLANTING FOR WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 117, 9 February 1924, Page 15

COCONUT PLANTING FOR WOMEN

I should like to tell about my life among the coconuts because it is such a delightful occupation for women take up if they Lave capital (says a writer m' a current magazine). I am a single girl and came out to Tobago, British West Indies, from Emdaaid just after the war; anyone more unsuited to take np> planting could not possibly be imagined, for I had lived in London nearly all my life and know not one end of a coconut tree from tho other. For six months 1 went to my uncle s estate and learnt all I could there, and then came to my own place to start my adventure. I get up at daybreak, and after coffee I see the stock fed, and go off with my man and boy to do whatever work there is to be done. One has to work quite hard oneself. The old days when one just gave orders are over. 1 find if I supervise my labourers they work like bricks; if not, nothing is done. . About 9 o’clock I come m for milk and fruit, then busy myself about the house till 10.30, breakfast time. Sometimes I go out after breakfast, but not often, as it gets very hot then; the labourers come in at 12 o’clock. After that I rest for two hours, and then my horse is brought round and I ride down to ’where thq bulk of my' coconuts are, and supervise the work there. , , When all is finished I ride home to dinner and spend the evening reading, writing, or playing the piano till bed time, about 8 or 8 30. For amusement we have tennis and glorious sea bathing. Tobago is a beautiful little island with pretty sandy bays, nearly all the roads are drivable for a car, and occasionally a dance is given, so there is a fair amount of fun going. The natives are lazy, but well-man-'nered, and after a time they, do really come to love one, as I have had ample cause to prove. I have written this article mainly to draw attention to planting as a pro-' fession for women. So far ihere do not seem to be many lady planters or. managers of estates. The chief objection is loneliness. But thanks to good old British rule, I for one, have been perfectly safe, and I can thoroughly recommend the life from every point. of view.

At a meeting ’of the Britannia Queen Committee, representing the infantry at the forthcoming queen carnival, held on Tuesday evening, reports were received from sub-commit-tees showing that the campaign has been taken up in earnest. A parade was held at the Garrison Hall last Thursday evening, and both officers and men displayed tho greatest enthusiasm. Tickets were > issued for Bale, and judging from reports already received, the boys appear to bo doing their bit, and doing it w’ell. Apart from the sale of tickets, arrangements are well in hand for raising funds on a larger, scale. It is reported that tho grand leap year ball, to be held in the Town Hall on February 29 promises to be a huge success.