18 JUNE 1942, Page 14

In the Garden One of the most disappointin g events in

the orchard is the shriven' and dropping of already formed fruit. It is often Nature's proper meth of reducing excess ; but it may be due to other causes, and the preventive is abundant watering (especially in grass orchards) and min ing, in which lawn mowings may be used. Grass, of course, is bad f young trees. That ingenious research-worker, Mr. Spencer Pickerin could turn a naturally green apple red (a sign of lowered vitality) bringing grass close to the trunk. Even the supply of water did a alter the deleterious effect of the grass. The bumper crop of chem runs a greater risk from birds than from drought, and the trees are easily protected ; but if they are of manageable size much fruit may saved by the simple device of throwing a reel of black cotton from si to side, though this most useful method is usually restricted to su lowly crops as gooseberries or green peas. "Digging for victory' is necessary that gardeners may be advised to use flower-beds lately with tulips and forget-me-nots—that favourite mixture—or other flowers for the planting of leeks or late sowings of that more decnratt