6 JANUARY 1956, Page 13

UPSETTING THE APPLE-CART Those who love Devon must be prepared

for sad changes in its scenery. The Year Book of the Devon branch of the National Farmers' Union recommends that old cider orchards should be grubbed up and laid down to more profitable crops. It seems that the Cider Fruit Committee have been unable to obtain reasonable terms from the merchants which would make it possible to plant Devon orchards with vintage fruit. The cider sellers, on the other hand, have had a very successful season. 1 can only suppose that cider in future will be made either of parsnips or those highly coloured apples from the Commonwealth which taste like cotton-wool soaked in ether.