4 NOVEMBER 1949, Page 18

Reclaiming Pigs That very beautiful fern, the bracken, is a

mortal enemy to many farmers, especially in the north and west and on the hills. It is bad for sheep, not only because it destroys grass ; it is a harbourer of pernicious insects. A new way of checking and destroying it is suggested. Pigs delight to eradicate, and flourish its the process. Since potatoes do especially well in succession to destroyed fern, a pig-killed patch should reach a very high pitch taf fertility. It is worth remembering that cut bracken is an excellent protective cover to flower-beds and a very valuable addition to the compost heap. As such it is a rival even to nettles