31 AUGUST 1945, Page 14

In My Garden I cling to the obstinate view that

pruning of apples, as of roses, is overdone ; and one of the best forms of pruning is the least widely practised, that is summer pruning or pinching. It is curious how some few :Varieties definitely object to pruning. A notable example is that delicious apple Laxton's Superb, so an expert admirer assures' me Zephyrine Drouhin among roses is in like case. At the same time, .1 have never seen the natural equivalent of ring-barking, such as canker and fractures, so greatly advance fertility.

W. BEACH THOMAS.