3 JANUARY 1969, Page 27

Comfort me with apples

Sir : As a 'pomiferous' fellow living near Mr John Wells's constituency and having been con- nected with the fruit-growing industry for over twenty years, I would like to comment on Mr J. W. M. Thompson's article 'Comfort me with apples' in 'Spectator's notebook' (13 Decem- ber).

Surely Mr Thompson would agree with the marketing philosophy that we should grow and sell what will sell. The British housewife knows that Cox is the finest apple in the world and as a result demands them above all others, while we as growers try to meet her demands. How-

ever, I would agree with your correspondent that variety is the spice of life and a quick look round the shops would show that variety is be- ing offered by English growers today with sup- plies of Jonathan, Egremont Russet, John Stan- dish, Laxton's Fortune, Laxton's Superb and Lord Lambourn to mention but a few. May I add that in addition there are some excellent pears to be bought, and particularly at this time of year, Conference and Doyenne du Cornice.

Gerald Secret: Dundas Park Farm, Elmsted, nr Ashford, Kent