15 DECEMBER 1928, Page 13

Hard frosts before Christmas, which are rare in England, bring

two special obligations to the gardener : to cover up tenderer bushes and plants, and to feed the birds. It is my experience that plants are more susceptible to these early frosts and birds hungrier than they are in the normally cold periods of January. This year so many plants are absurdly forward that the losses may be unusually great, if due

precautions are not taken. W. BEACH Tuomas.