Dear Jennifer
Sir: Jennifer Paterson urged your readers to search out Carlin peas to eat on Passion Sunday ( Food, 25 March). Needless to say, current legislation is inexorably enforcing the standardisation of fruits and vegetable varieties, and it is now illegal for growers to buy or sell Carlin peas along with the seeds of many other ol41 and rare species. But the Heritage Seed Programme at the excellent Henry Doubleday Research Association includes the Carlin pea in its library. By becoming a member of the programme, for a small fee you acquire priority access to the seed library and can help to maintain old vegetable varieties by growing the seeds yourself. The future of the Carlin pea can thereby be assured. Details from the HDRA, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3LG; tel: 01203 303517.
Anne Boston
Country Living, National Magazine House, 72 Broadwick Street, London W1
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