18 MARCH 1949, Page 20

In the Garden Gardeners, if they lay stress on fruit,

may well rejoice, in contrast with the rest of the world, in the leonine or wintry entrance of March: it has arrested a too early spring ; and it has not been quite severe enough to cut broad beans or early shoots. Those who use cloches for, say, lettuces have enjoyed an almost startling illustration of the influence of such protection. Protected lettuces are of an edible size ; the others have scarcely stirred. Thus a succession Is assured. Weather tempted to some absurdly early sowing, and it was hardly justified, at any rate in potatoes, which are as vulnerable to spring frosts as fruit blossom to

May frosts or beans and dahlias to autumn. W. BEACH THOMAS