It is but natural that the world over the principal topic of conversation should be the war, its many developments and speculation as to what is to come. Indeed there is so much talk about it that various sub-species of the British race are coming to notice, Thus, for example, there is a "bomb-bore," the man who wants to talk about the missile which fell near him, but refuses to listen to his companion's experiences. There is also the "bomb-snob" who puts on insufferable airs because his premises have actually been hit, and of eaurso, there is always the "man-in-the-know." Doubtless other classifications will eventually develop, but there are others and millions of them' who refuse to be diverted from gentler subjects about which talk, and chief amongst them are the amateur gardeners. In the first place, while Great Britain is not the best of all countries for gardening, its people are an agricultural race and it is consequently in the blood. In the second, they are a thrifty people, and, thirdly, gardening is after all a very democratic recreation. That is why the appeal dig for: victory proved so successful last year and will probably prove more so this, for it was an appeal to democratic instincts. Hitler might very well seize upon this fact and claim that all he fs doing to Europe is to reduce the occupied countries to purely agricultural pursuits—reserving for Germany all forms of industry,—thereby really doing his best to' foster democratic inclinations.
These thoughts arise from a perusal of the front page of a recent issue of "The Times" in which the nurseryman of Britain in their advertisements are putting in some good work. For the purely utilitarian minded one offers his "War time 'Small Garden' vegetable collection," of seeds. Another dilates upon the weight of tomatoes grown last year from a twopenny packet of his seeds. Still another boasts that a family of five were kept in vegetables for a whole year on a. half-guinea collection. Yet another reminds his readers that the Government has laid rear stress upon the health value of fresh fruit in war time, and offers small trees guaranteed to bear this summer. Cox' Orange Pippins, Bramley's Seedlings and Worcester Pearmains will doubtless make the mouths of the connoisseur water, Victory and Monarch plums ask for a chance to fruit in the reader's orchards or modest, gardens, Raspberry canes, currants, goose berry bushes are all clamouring to be' allowed to do their little bit for the health of the nation, while the flower seedsman run the whole' gamut of colour to be displayed in those places not needed for feeding the coun~ try, from anemones all through the alphabet down to winter pansies.
Then that gentle soul, the rose-grower is amply catered for in advertisements which absolutely glow with. posy: "Roses are emblematic of. British tradition and we can [still devote a part of our garden to growing them." One florist has produced four new varieties which he had hoped to show last year, until Hitler's messing about completely upset his programme, About the first he rhapsodizes as follows:—
The first, which Teall "Glory of England,"
probably the finest of all red roses. Long, slender, painted buds; which open to Bowers fof brightest red, truly a flashing signal of victory—while its alluring perfume is emblem Atle of peace. Tis habit is strong and vigor~ fous, typical of every Briton The second has the strong perfume of the orange blossom, and is called "Wedding Morn." The third have called "Personality" because I feel is the only name that describes it. It is a slowing: pink rose of extraordinary" beauty, subtly perfumed. The rich pink of its petals {is indescribably tinged with gold. In full Bloom the flower has the iridescence of a pearl The fourth is "Red Velvet" and that exhausts the list of new blooms. But there are also others made familiar by the passing years when the people of Britain indulged in gentler pursuits than the one which is now] engaging their attention, names recalling: pleasant gardens, peaceful afternoons and. tranquil evenings. Tt is pleasant to think that though men's thoughts may be turned to the: devilment of wat, there are those who still prepare against the time when it will be possible to withdraw apart now and again and revel in the perfume of peace,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.