22 FEBRUARY 1946, Page 16

Flood - Victims Flood-waters on heavy lands in the Midlands have had

one effect which may lessen fertility for several years. In hollows where the water stood every single worm has been drowned ; and these " earth- eels," so greatly detested on lawns and greens, are exceedingly useful both as aerators and fertilisers. It has been found, for example, on reclaimed land along the Wash that the soil does not do itself full justice till it becomes colonised by worms. One of the objections to the presence of, many worms, very obvious at the present date, is that they attract moles, which, since worm-poison became unprocurable, have reduced some greens and fairways to the state of ploughed fields. Moles have, I think, multiplied in most places during the war, in Spite of the very high value of their skins, for which dealers advertise with very little effect.