WOMEN BRACKEN-CUTTERS IN THE NEW FOREST. ere TUE EDITOR ON
TEE " Srseraroa."1
Sia,—Your readers may be interested in the work of the bracken- cutters in the New Forest. They are women, living in camp, under mili- tary rule, and are engaged in cutting and stacking bracken for bedding for Army horses. Each worker receives about seventeen shillings a week, and the mess-bill comes to seven or eight shillings a week ; but they are not out to make money. Tents are provided for thorn, and three or four women share a tent. There are two experienced lady head- workers. We thoroughly, though unofficially, inspected the camp and all its arrangements, and found everything most satisfactory and hygienic. The whole camp is under the supervision of an able, con- siderate, and gentlemanly sergeant ; as hard a worker as any, he watches over all, seeing that no one continues unduly long at any one kind of work—scything, cutting with a sickle, or stacking. His wife superintends the catering and general welfare, and is a decided acquisition. The workers arc called at dawn, and, with intervals for meals, work until about 5 p.m., when they are back in camp. Then comes dinner, and after that they are free. The life is simple, hard-working, and health-giving. The bracken:cutters told us they were " very fit," knew "no aches or
pains" (yet September was a wet month !), and that they "ate well and slept welL" They certainly all looked pictures of health as they marched back into camp, swinging easily over the heather, their blouses and short skirts allowing free movement, their gypsy-brown faces surmounted by bright-coloured handkerchiefs in place of hats. They wore of ages varying from eighteen or nineteen to fifty-five or more ; some were ladies who have had no previous experience of any work of that kind, others had heti some agricultural training. There is room for MODS workers, those really willing to work ; slackers are not wanted. The thorough change of atmosphere and life has been found most beneficial, even by those who have been able to give but a short time. Particulars of the camp, winch is now at Holiday Hill, near Lyndhurst, could be obtained through any Board of Trade Labour Exchange.—! am, Sir, &o.,
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