16 FEBRUARY 1974, Page 5

Vietnam refoliation

From Dr Bernard Dixon Sir: For whatever reasons, Mr A. J. H. Brown (Letters, January 19) grossly underestimates the damage to the Vietnamese countryside caused by the war. My main complaint about his letter, however, is that he attacks me for reporting that "the land of South Vietnam is completely infertile." I did not say this, or anything like it.

Dr Bernard Dixon Editor, New Scientist, 128 Long Acre, London, WC2