23 NOVEMBER 1951, Page 18

In the Garden

Having been laid up, I gingerly took a few steps along the paving above the garden—to see April in the lap of November, grape hyacinth, scilla, crocus, snowdrop and even daffodil and narcissus astir ani dressing their green spears to meet the winter, as though there were only a footbridge to cross between autumn and spring. It is the time to uproot established plants, throw away the crowns and replant ; above all, to turn the compost stacks and make their sides and tops their centres. ' But the sodden earth is as brusque as an army notice-board—Keep Off

H. J. MASSINGHAM-