The daffodils first appear in the Scilly Isles as early as December, this field in West Cornwall is probably passed its 'pick by' date already. Daffs are picked by hand, back breaking work to the uninitiated and brings your arms out in a rash if you touch the plants too much. To stand in the rain, pick ten flowers all the same length, put a couple of elastic bands on them and put them in a box earns you about 6 or 7p. Or it used to a few years ago, don't know if the Polish picker earn the same though. To turn this job into an hourly rate would harm the spirit of daff picking considerably. |