The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-13
A VISITING GARDENER.
Mise Della Plat Earns q Handsome In
como Growing Other Peoples Roses, Etc.

como Growing Other Peoples Roses, Etc.
We'll. I suppose you might call me visiting
gardener. but have never given my work
NAME" says Miss Della Platt OF New Jersey.
am twenty-th years old. and have been
engaged In the work for nearly Eve years. and
last year cleared 81 .S50.
My father was Jersey farmer and I. as
the eldest OF 1--WE girls. took up the farm work
when my father died suddenly. 1t was the
middle OF the season. and the crop on which
we depended had to be worked and gathered.
When the end OF the year came and it was dis
covered had managed we'll. had paid the In
terest on our mortgaged property. kept the
girls at school and had small surplus laid by.
1t was decided that run the place another
twelve months.
"A gentleman living In South Orange rode
over my farm one day and was so pleased with
its appearance that he asked why couldn't
come and break up his garden. He asked the
question in jest. but found me willing to take
the matter up in a business way. / went over
the next week and laid out and planted his
garden. He was pleased with my work and
fell to Dragging about that garden before tho
seeds came up. The result OF his boastng in
duced several persons who had never thought
OF raising their own vegetables to hunt me up
and offer their work. Fortunately that season
proved a good growing one. and owners OF the
the gardens had planted and continued to work
were well pleased with the result in a, flnan-
cial way. as well as having enjoyed the pleasure
OF picking their own vegetables.
made calls on number OF persons living in
the Oranges and Montclair, and engaged to
take the planting and working of their Kitchen
gardens Tor the coming season. Don't think |
went to the wealthiest families. They are tho
very people woman Wishing to engage in this
work must avoid. Such persons are able to
employ special gardener and have stable
fun Of h9rses to do any sort OF work they fancy.
plot. In the majority Of inst ances this was not
very big piece or land. and had been allowed
~ take ny gardens in rotation that Is
in the spring give them the second Working
over. then go back. lay them all of. plant the
earlier varieties Of seeds and 80 my gardens
prices. which greatly reduces the cost. have
raise ali used nq Then
my farm all the compost needed as fertilizer.
the seeds, OF which are saved each year. But
that Is department looked after by my youn-
farm. and as visiting gardener. have paid off
the mortgages on our property, have carried
out my fathers plan as to the education of my
sisters rs have sddsd many new ipnleppsnts.
ming to lay by with the intention of buying
One great advantage OF my profession Is
that the pay is sure. It is In no way dependent
on the season or on the yield OF the land. l
Then having the horses and labor at command
and supplying seeds, ETC.. 1t is like buying at
wholesale and selling at retail. | always make
at least q weekly inspection OF every garden
and direct my mon when and where to go and
what to do. use wheel in going about, and
you may be sure no grass grows under that
bicycle. but neither do ! work myself to death.
"Toany woman desiring to take up this work
would advise her to begin in asuburhan place
where people are in good circumstances and
own their own homes In such localities the
lots nearly always contain a garden plot which,
II properly worked. W II produce ali the veRe-
tables. flowers and melons the family can use.
owners to maxi q beginning the frst year. but
after that. IL she has managed properly. will
guarantee she will have no difficulty in holding
her Job. have never found family who were
willing to 60 back to buying vegetables after
their own garden"