6 JANUARY 1923, Page 25

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The letters on this

subject in your issue of the 9th ult. seem to be on the same lines as a local tradition, I do not think very prevalent, as to harvesting of apples. A farmer friend of mine some years ago impressed upon me most strongly that if I wished my apples to keep they must be picked only " in the waste of the moon."

It would be interesting to hear if this theory is known and if there is as much to support it as there appears to be in reference to cutting of timber. I am sorry to say I have been unable to verify the theory, as apples have had to be picked when ready and in reference to winds rather than the state of the moon.—I am, Sir, &c.,