14 SEPTEMBER 1944, Page 18

In My Garden In a very interesting discussion going on

among gardeners and biologists it has been suggested that the growing by Continental gardeners of radishes, carrots, lettuces and cauliflower in the same frame is an example of the benefit one vegetable receives from a congenial companion. The Dutch and French intensive gardeners do not think so. They grow such mixtures only because the plants ripen at different times or root at different depths, and so can be grown in closer juxtaposition. There is no symbiosis in the scientific term. So privet and quick make a good hedge because privet is sitallow-rooted and quick tap-rooted. Dutch gardening—seen at its best in the neighbourhood of The Hague—is, I think, more suitabk to this country than French gardening under bell-jars.

W. BEACH THOMAS.