30 DECEMBER 1932, Page 13

A very practical review of the subject has been written

by Mr. J. K. Thompson (of the admirable Agricultural Institute at Kirton in Lincolnshire) and contributor to the Estate Magazine. Canners and producers have different interests in one respect. It corresponds to the old quarrel between millers and wheat growers. The millers want a " strong " wheat full of gluten. The farmers want a high-yielding wheat. Now it happens and is a little unfortunate that a good many of the best canning varieties are shy bearers ; but the hybridizers and selectors of our scientific stations are taking this subject in hand ; and by aid of Mendel's laws rapidly combining the qualities, and there are already a number of salient exceptions. One is the Lloyd George raspberry, which thoroughly pleases both parties : it cans well, and bears well. One catalogue, with perhaps unconscious humour, says that " it is better for heavy pruning " ! When this is understood it is invaluable in the commercial as in the private garden. Its opposite number, hardly less valuable, is the Baldwin black currant.