WOMEN AS GARDENERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13748, 10 September 1908, Page 8

WOMEN AS GARDENERS.

PROFIT OF* £250 AN ACRE IN A

YEAR.

How intelligent co-operation may promote the welfare of the landworker was most picturesquely exhibited at Regent's Park (London) recently. That energetic body tho Women's Agricultural and Horticultural Union were holding what is now their annual show and sale,which was opened this year by Princess Alexander of Teck.

The most striking exhibits were undoubtedly the huge cantaloup melons from the French garden at Thatcham. The largest weighed nearly 161 b. This variety has been selling at wholesale prices — none has been sold retail— for as much as 6s apiece, and is providing the climax of the French garden's sueCGSS. Profit and loss accounts of this garden have been kept carefully, and after making full allowance for labour it was found that the profits amounted as near as may be to £250 an acre, the gross returns being rather more than twice this sum. This feat has been accomplished in the first year. Both this Thatcham garden, which is largely worked by women, and the Worcestershire gardens are in consequence of the surprising success to be greatly increased in size at once. Almost every variety of farming interest was illustrated in the show. Princess Alexander of Teck was principally struck by the advance in poul-try-keeping — an industry for which Lady Salisbury, one of the patrons of the union, has done more than any living person. But " many women in England do general farming.