13 JULY 1929, Page 14

* * BENEFICENT RAIN.

Rain was seldom quite so successful, as during last week, in " plumping " the fruit. Potatoes about the size of marbles swelled beyond all expectation, currant bunches began to ripen at the tip as well as the base. Bean and pea pods ceased to be mere rattles. Such plants as roses and sweet peas did miracles of growth. One climbing rose I measured grew a good five inches in two days , and that was handsomely beaten by a white bryony. Some cut hayfields are already as long in the nap as before the haysel. English country people seldom more heartily welcomed Meredith's welcome waterspouts of blessed rain," for seldom was such dryness follciwed by such well-regulated showers.

W. BEACH, THOMAS.