OPEN-AIR WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1938, Page 19

OPEN-AIR WORK

OUTDOOR SARIERS FOR iGift|-Sr

demand;exceed3 supply

For the vast majority, of mankind, j hours spent in the "sun and in the fresh | air, have;, an1 inherent qualify of hap- I pin'ess, rwritesiHelenv Venner -in' *hp London "Paily Telegraph arid Morning j Post." Evefy woman whose duties keep j her in town/is' glad;tosnatch the coveted prize of country, and seaside;- freedom, at the-.weekend. ■ Why noty^^in^b-the ;;open air? There are,-careers: ?enough ,'today for those whp;,iike digging^ piantirig, prun-, ing, planning,;/and all' the incidentals j of making one's farden grow. There are more wofcieh. in country ; occupations, than- there; are,-women finding careers in the -/world /of secondary school - teaching, t The , training colleges which prepare educated girls to become . gardeners, daiky farmers, and poultry expats have more jobs to fill thanthey -have trained students to fill them./- - -,'. -..-■: " MOpERN ASPECTS. - .i :| Opportunities are to be had which suit all' .teriiperattiehts—-poultry-farm management; garden design for hotels, blocks of flats- arid the roof gardens of restaurants and shops; gardening arid botany teaching in girls' schools and colleges; travelling instructorships under - county agricultural authorities to explain: the/latest.. developments in farriyng 'arid'horticultural.' science and practice to ypiipg farmers,, to students, to members of women's institutes and other * rutal' organisations. There is farm arid garden^ mariajgement; for; hospitals arid cohYaies.eeri.t homes'; .gardeners ahd decorators are wanted at ] hotels; field recorders and Observers" in ■ research.stations. ? - ■■ --- ; Management-of large-gardens for private owners; management'; of, glasshouse produce—tomatoes, - cucumbers, chrysanthemums; running a job as gardener-phauffeuse; managing a dairy farm; building up a."connection as a jobbing gardener and garden adviser— there are specially good openings in this work iri. residential 1 rural districts Where made gardeners are difficult to get—are other possibilities. Alternatively, one may use the subject of horticulture •or . agriculture as a means whereby one may find an

opening abroad;/Old-students of agricultural • colleges for/women in ..England are how to b6 fou^d in Canada, South Africa, East 'Africa, Australia, America.. One wjio began, with training in. science arid /horticulture and gained experience in fruit research is now doing special investigations on pine-tree culture in 'Australia; another is at the Central Experimental * Farm, Ottawa; yet, another has been '-plantcollecting in Alaska J; f6r . Cambridge University. This last, student, was at Studley for1 her training/ and. her whole career has been a most interesting one. \. v ; "many!: posts, Vacant. • New extensions; of Studley College which were opened recently bly the Puchess of Gloucester,, will en*b?e the rS!ft gf•to--^j0"5? still further, its fine reputation and ,to cope with more students. At the end of last session, the college had about, five times as many, vacancies as. -it had students ready and trained for appointments.' .The principals of - agricultural and horticultural colleges for women feel strongly: that; girls and headmistresses under-estimate the possibilities of outdoor careers, for girls. They believe that many girls of good education, who at present.choose secretarial courses as the linje ofrleast resistance, would be far happier training., in horticulture or agriculture for" careers in the open air. Their pay would, be less, very Often, though gardening and farming are not without their £200 or £300-a-year jobs, but the expenses of living, in the country.',. as compared with the town, and the/expenses incidental to the carrying .on of outdoor careers, are less. : .... c .- j -~ '"- ;'■ For example, 35s tor?£•£ a week with a cottage/fruit, and vegetables and other perquisites, v Js more valuable than £3 or £3.ids a week' with Punches and. fares ;to pay-for eyery *day and a much higher standard of good: dressing ito keep up. s /' ..: There is, moreover^ a big dividend to be drawn-Irom tho ajdvantagers of fresh air and sunshine and/ all,tha tthese r contribute iril keeping jprie, '' young'' and fit and happy. --v ■>/.'■'■■ / \t // ' / FOOD AND FLOWERS. / There is every ,indication that opportunities in; outdoor careers for girls will continue to increase. The horticultural industry of this country goes on expanding, with/the increasing demand for fruit and vegetables': as essentials of a Wel^balanced diet.". Flowers-for ; home "decoration are, more than ever in use, the market in this, country has; become very much bigger in the last few years* arid people are still asking • for more I . flowers. There is..moreover, a,steady growth.in the consumption of dairy product^— fresh milk, butter, and cheese. More eggs aire being eaten. m°re poultry./ Added to all this we English are as keen as ever, about our gardens. When white silk garrhents are being washed a little milk.should be added to the' rinsing -water;1-This gives, a glossy finish to the silk when it is ironed:- White silk turns yellow if it is dried in: strong sunshine, and it is better to :roll silk, garments, in >a ; thick. [Turkish towel/and let them: lie• until [they are ready "yi or droning.