6 OCTOBER 1944, Page 14

Grapes in September In spite of the bad weather through

September, I have gathered some two dozen bunches of black grapes, and ten green figs, from the south wall of the house. Both plants are only four years old. These upland valleys in the mid-weald hills of Kent are almost sub-tropical. It is' almost embarrassing to make a garden here after labouring in the Micilanda or East Anglia. Bush and small tree fruits are so lavish in their respon,: to a little care that I feel I need to apologise as I carry in the fruit.

RICHARD CHURCH.