APPENDIXUSEFUL INFORMATION FOR LADY GARDENERS

A Lady Gardener may have to arrange new ornamental flower beds, and a few hints about pegging out the shape may be useful. It does not always follow that a design for a formal flower plot works out as well in reality as it does upon paper. In order to gain a good impression of what their effect will be when finished they should be marked out with pegs andwhitetape or string tied round these to show the outline of the future beds. That is, if ground that has already been broken up is being dealt with.

Should, however, a wide stretch of lawn have to be marked out in flower beds, a capital plan is to draw the outline of them with a whitewash brush upon the grass, in the same way that a lawn tennis court is marked. Having ascertained that no improvement or alteration will be necessary, work can then be commenced with the turf cutter.

It is convenient, for drawing circular or other beds, to have a gardencompass. Should this not be handy, a couple of stout iron pins and a length of rope will answer the purpose.

The compass consists of a stout iron pin and a light, flat rod of wood six to ten feet long, with holes drilled the whole length, one inch apart. One end of the rod hasa perfectly round ring, which will turn easily on the pin. A second pin or rod about three feet long is needed as a marker.

Fig. 1

In making a circular bed (Fig. 1), the centre is first determined on, and the stout pin is driven in through the ring. The marking pin is then placed in the hole corresponding to the required radius. With it the circle is drawn.

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

When using a cord, instead of the wooden marking pin, it must be stretched tight on the centre pin, and the radius measured along it from the pin. The marker is then passed through the rope and bound in place with a piece of twine or soft wire. Care should be taken, when marking,that the rope rests either on the ground or parallel to it.

A circular bed is the easiest of all to set out, but it is the foundation of several others. The easiest are polygons of four, six, and eight sides. To lay out a four-sided polygon (Fig. 2), equal a square: Lay off the diagonal A B. Lay off C D at right angles to A B, and join A D, D B, B C, C A.

To lay out a six-sided bed (Fig. 3), equal a hexagon: From the centre C draw a circle with radius C 1. Then from 1 with the same radius cut the circle at 2, from 2 cut it at 3, and so on. Then join 1 2, 2 3, 3 4, etc. To lay out an eight-sided bed, equal an octagon (Fig. 4): Draw a circle, lay off the diameters A B, C D at right angles to each other. Next bisect the four right angles at E F G H, and join A E, E C, C G, G B, etc.

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

These three are the most usual figures, but it is easy to draw any number of sides to your polygon you may require.

First draw a circle, and lay off any diameter A B. Divide A B into as many equal parts as you want sides (in Fig. 5 it is five, as that is the most usual number required, but it may be seven or nine or any other number).From A and B with radius A B describe the arcs cutting each other at C. From C draw a line to figure 2 on the diagonal and produce it till it cuts the circle at D. Then from D with radius A D cut the circle at 2´, from2´ cut it at 3´, and so on, and join 1´ 2´, 2´ 3´, 3´ 4´, 4´ 5´.

With a circle, too, it is easy to lay out a star bed with four, six, or eight points (Fig. 6), or a half moon.

Rectangular beds are also most easily set out by means of a circle.

In a diamond the line should bisect the diagonal.

The only other shape in general use is an oval, and this is not built up on the circle. First determine the length and breadth A B, C D (Fig. 7). Bisect A B and make C D perpendicular to it at the point of bisection O. From C with radius O A, cut A B in E F. These points are the form of the oval.

Fig. 7

Drive a stake in at E F and C, and put a cord round the three stakes. Tie the ends together, and take out the stake at C, and keeping the loop of cord taut, draw C B D A, which will be a perfect oval.

The shape of the flower beds having been decided and cut out, attention will not only have to be given to drainage, soil, and manure, but the proper shape and building up of soil will have to be considered before planting takes place. This is a matter rather insufficiently studied. It varies according to the surrounding position, arrangement of the garden and soil.

In some herbaceous borders where height at the back of the border is an advantage, it is well to build the soil up so:—

By this means tall flowers like hollyhocks, sunflowers, etc., have additional height given to them.

In formal beds, circular ones or others, the building up of the soil takes place from the sides to the centre—so:—

In other long, narrow beds the appearance is so:—

I have to thank Miss J. S. Turner for many of the above notes.

The following are the laws laid down by the Lawn Tennis Association for the year 1907.

SINGLE-HANDED COURT

FULL COURT

For the single-handed game, the court is 27 feet in width, and 78 feet in length. It is divided across the middle by a net, the ends of which are attached to the tops of two posts, which stand 3 feet outside the court on each side. The height of the net is 3 feet 6 inches at the posts, and 3 feet in the centre. At each end of the court, parallel with the net, and at a distance of 39 feet from it, are drawn the Base Lines, the extremities of which are connected by the Side Lines. Half-way between the Side Lines, and parallel with them, is drawn the Half-Court Line, dividing the space on each side of the net into two equal parts, called the Right and Left Courts. On each side of the net, at a distance of 21 feet from it, and parallel with it,are drawn the Service Lines. The marking of the part of the Half-Court Line, between the Service Lines and the Base Line, may be omitted, with the exception of a small portion at the centre of each Base Line, as indicated in the plans.

The plan here given is not the most generally used, but it may be the best adapted to the ground or to the requirements of the owner of the garden.

For the three-handed and four handed games, the court is 36 feet in width. Within the Side-Lines, at a distance of 4¼ feet from them, and parallel with them, are drawn the Service Side Lines. In other respects, the court is similar to that which is described for a single-handed game (Fig. 1).

Fig. 2 is the plan most generally used in private grounds; it is usual to continue the “Service Side Lines” as far as the Base-Lines, as shown in the dotted line B in the plan.

Keep the net loose from the posts when the ground is not used. For instructions as to the rolling, mowing, and general treatment of lawns, croquet and tennis courts, read Sutton’s “Management of Lawns.”

The following is the best way of making a mixture for marking boundary lines upon grass courts. Dissolve ordinary lump whitening in water, and use it when it is about the consistency of cream. A tumbler of milk or a small quantity of builders’ size, mixed with it, will preserve the lines from being washed out and destroyed by rain. The mixture is made in a pail or watering pot, and the tank of the marking machine is filled from it. After using the washer, the whitening should be emptied, and thetank washed, for if allowed to remain, it hardens and has to be broken up.

PLAN OF CROQUET LAWN

The following regulations are those laid down in 1907, and are authorised by the Croquet Association.

The ground shall be rectangular, 35 yards in length by 28 yards in width, with a defined boundary. A flag shall be placed at each corner, and corner spots, 3 feet from both boundaries, shall be accurately defined.

Points on the boundary, 3 feet from each corner flag, shall be marked by white pegs, not exceeding ¾ inch in diameter, and 3 inches above the ground.

The above is for a full-sized ground, but for smaller ones any multiple of 5 × 4 is correct.

Thehoopsshall be of round iron, not less than ½ inch, and not more than ¾ inch in diameter, and shall stand 12 inches out of the ground, and be firmly fixed. The crown shall be straight, and at right angles to the uprights, which shall be not less than 3¾ inches, or more than 4 inches apart (inside measurement) from the ground upwards.

The turning and the winning pegs shall be of wood, a uniform diameter above the ground of 1½ inches. They shall stand 18 inches above the ground.

The setting of the hoops and pegs shall be in accordance with the diagram given. Permission for publishing this has kindly been given by Messrs. John Jaques & Son, 102, Hatton Garden, London.

Measurements:—Pegs in centre line of ground, 7 yardsfrom the nearest boundary; hoops up centre line of ground, 7 yards from peg and 7 yards apart corner hoops, 7 yards from centre line and 7 yards from the nearest boundaries.

It is important in lifting the hoops for rolling and mowing, to fill up the holes with a mixture of fine dry earth and sand before replacing the hoops. By this means they are kept rigid and upright.

When the croquet season is over the hoops are put away and painted during the winter.

The best way to do this is to rub the hoops down well with fine sandpaper, and repaint them with good oil colour. Use it thin, and put on two or three coats. It is preferable to one thick coat.

The following notes may be useful to ladies who are seeking posts:—

THE CENTRAL BUREAU FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN,

9, Southampton Street, High Holborn, W.C.

(2nd Floor)

Two minutes from British Museum, Central London Railway; two minutes from Piccadilly and Brompton Railway, Holborn Station.

Telegrams: “Einheit.” Telephone: 4858 Central.

Chairman:The Marchioness of Salisbury

Vice-Chairman:Mrs. W. E. Haitland

Hon. Treasurer:H. John Falk, Esq.

Secretary:Miss M. G. Spencer

1. To prevent unemployment, and the evils resulting therefrom.

2. To help women, especially those of good education, to help themselves, by guiding them into suitable permanent work.

3. To promote the training of the unprepared, and thus raise the general standard of efficiency.

4. To maintain records of women desiring employment, and of employers having vacancies.

5. To collect and circulate information as to various occupations.

6. To study and record the fluctuations of demand and supply in various occupations.

7. To publish advertisement lists, newspapers, and other printed matter, by which the purposes of the society may be advanced.

8. To promote and co-operate with other bureaus and societies having objects wholly or partly similar.

Nature of the Work.—The work of the Central Bureau consists largely in counteracting those evils of social prejudice and defective training which have hitherto prevented many women of the educated class from being able to earn their own livelihood. It therefore includes not only what is ordinarily understood to be the work of an employment registry, but also the more laborious and less immediately remunerative business of investigating possible openings for employment, promoting sound schemes for apprenticeship and training, and so advising and helping women as to enable them to maketheir services of genuine value to the community. Did space permit, it would be possible to give a long list of those women who have been enabled, through guidance received at the bureau, to fill satisfactorily positions of considerable responsibility and importance. By a carefully considered system of indexing and tabulation, the Central Bureau is able to make the results of its work available for the purposes of the statistician and the economic inquirer. The advantages of this system have been recognised by the committees of other women’s employment bureaus, which have now, with few exceptions, adopted the same method of tabulation. But while endeavouring to introduce improvements in method, the council of the Central Bureau are far from losing sight of the individual needs of each employer and applicant for work, realising that upon the full comprehension of individual circumstances the success of the work depends.

(Those for employers seem unnecessary for our purpose here)

Registration, covering a period of three months, 1s. 6d; Suiting fees, permanent posts on salaries not exceeding 10s. per week, non-resident, 2s. 6d.; resident, 5s.; not exceeding 15s. per week, non-resident, 3s. 9d.; resident, 7s. 6d.: not exceeding 20s. per week, non-resident, 5s.; resident, 10s.: not exceeding 30s. per week, non-resident, 7s. 6d.; resident, 15s.; not exceeding 40s. per week, non-resident, 10s.; resident, 20s.—being half per cent. on first year’s salary, non-resident; and one per cent. on first year’s salary, resident. Temporary posts not exceeding three months, one per cent. on salary for the term, butnotlessthan 2s. 6d. Temporary post not exceeding one week, 1s. 6d. Suiting fees in every case are payable on engagement. Hours of interviews, 11.30 to 1, and 2.30 to 4.30, excepting Monday mornings and Saturdays. In order to save time, callers are asked to write for appointments. Fees for consultation, 6d. and 1s.

Publications.—The Central Bureau publishesWomen’s Employment(price 1d., post free, 1½d.). The issue of this publication, which appears on the first Friday in the month, contains articles on employment subjects, written by experts, together with advertisements, and information as to training. Intermediate lists of vacant situations andworkersdisengaged are published fortnightly at the same price.Women’s Employment(including the intermediate Lists) may also be obtained from the Secretary of the Central Bureau on payment of 3s. per annum. The Central Bureau has also published a pamphlet entitled theFinger Post(price 1s. 6d.), containing 70 articles, written by experts, on professions for educated women.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE,

92, Victoria Street, London, S.W.

Here, information is given of every kind upon social subjects, training for professions, board, education, etc. A member is entitled to have six questions a year answered free; non-members pay a small fee. Recreations of various sorts are also given, and three programmes are issued yearly of lectures, conferences, debates, social and musical afternoons and evenings. The library is well providedwith books on subjects of interest to women, and on sociology.

The institute was founded in 1897, in the hope, which has already been fulfilled, that it might be able to provide something of the nature of a central office or “clearing house” of the various departments of woman’s work which are now scattered over the whole field of English social life. It is no part of the aim of the institute itself to take up any department of work in competition with existing societies, much less to interfere in any way with their management. Its object is rather to make the work of existing societies better known, through its Information Bureau, through the circulation of literature, through meetings and conferences held within its walls, and lastly, by bringing the workers in one department into touch with those in another, by means of frequent social gatherings.

The social side of the institute has been organised with the double object:—

1. Of bringing workers into friendly communication.2. Of offering to isolated workers some of the recreation to which all workers are entitled.

1. Of bringing workers into friendly communication.

2. Of offering to isolated workers some of the recreation to which all workers are entitled.

1. A weekly “At Home” held by the executive committee.2. Lectures and debates.3. A musical society.4. An art society.5. A recreation department.6. A circulating library of special books.7. A voluntary workers’ association for philanthropic work.

1. A weekly “At Home” held by the executive committee.

2. Lectures and debates.

3. A musical society.

4. An art society.

5. A recreation department.

6. A circulating library of special books.

7. A voluntary workers’ association for philanthropic work.

It is not desired that women should join the institute in the expectation that it should be a direct means of enabling them to obtain work, but a register is kept of members’ requirements, and the institute co-operates with the Central Bureau for the Employment of Women in the interests of its own members.

Men, as well as women, are eligible for membership.

Agreement to abide by and be subject to the rules and bye-laws of the institute for the time being in force.

Terms for general members (men and women): Annual subscription, £1 1s. Terms for American, Colonial and Foreign members (men and women): Annual subscription, 10s. 6d. Office hours: 10 to 6, except Saturdays, when the institute is open 10 to 1.

The institute is closed on Bank Holidays and for one month at the end of summer.

Those who are strangers in London and are doubtful where to stay while they are seeking for posts may be glad to know of the following:

Brabazon House, Ltd.Hopkinson House, 88, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W.Brabazon House, Moreton Street, S.W.

Brabazon House, Ltd.

Hopkinson House, 88, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W.Brabazon House, Moreton Street, S.W.

Single rooms, with use of sitting-rooms, piano, and papers, 7s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. a week; double rooms, 12s. to 18s. 6d. a week; cubicles, 5s., 5s. 6d., 6s., 6s. 6d., and 7s.

Ladies are expected to provide their own soap, towels, toilet covers, and serviettes. Each lady is required to give two references. By the night: room, 2s. to 3s.; cubicle, 1s. 6d. By the meal: breakfast, 6d.; lunch, 9d.; tea, 4d.; dinner, 1s. Hours of meals: breakfast, 7.45 to 8.45 a.m.; lunch, 1 p.m.; tea, 4.30 p.m.; dinner, 7.30 p.m. Sundays: breakfast, 8.45 to 9.30 a.m.; dinner, 1.30 p.m.; tea, 5 p.m.; supper, 8.45 p.m. Tariff: breakfast and late dinner with full meals on Sundays, 8s. 6d. per week; lunch and afternoon tea provided if required; full board (by the week), 10s. 6d. A reduction will be made to those unable to be present at all the dinners.

Managing Director and Secretary:Miss Lindsey.

Printed byCassell and Company, Limited, La Belle Sauvage,London, E.C.

Transcriber’s Notes:1. Obvious printers’, punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected silently.2. Where hyphenation is in doubt, it has been retained as in the original.

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