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Or if you want to give something cheaper, your fried would value the Royal
Horticultural Society's excellent book "The Vegetable Garden Displayed,"
which is lavishly illustrated with instructional photographs and can be
obtained from the Society at Vincent Square, London, W.W. I., price 2/- post
free. Or—cheaper still and, in effect, a practical Christmas "card"—is any
one of the Ministry's own bulletins :—"Food from the Garden," 3d. (4d.),
"Fruit from the Garden," 3d. (4d.), "Pests and Diseases in the Vegetable
Garden," 4d. (5d.). Incidentally, a revised and up-to-date edition of the
last-named has recently been published. If there's a lady in the case, she
may like "Domestic Preservation of Fruit and Vegetables," 1s. 6d. (1s. 8d.)
or the cheaper bulletin "Preserves from the Garden," 4d. (5d.). The figures
in brackets are inclusive of postage. All these bulletins can be had from
H.M. Stationery Office, York House, Kingsway, London W.C.2., or though any
bookseller. |
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In more normal times another useful present would be a year's
subscription to one of the gardening periodicals; but in these days of
continuing paper shortage these journals cannot print enough copies to meet
the heavy demands made on them.
If you are a member of an allotment or horticultural society, why
not make your friend a member by paying his or her first subscription? For
knowledge gained from these personal contacts is sometimes more helpful than
the written word.
Gifts of plants, seeds or bulbs are always appreciated, so what
about a collection of vegetable seeds, a few fruit trees or bushes, or
perhaps some attractive flowering plants not needing too much attention in
these days of scanty leisure. Or a bag of shallot sets, a pinch of a
well-guarded strain of onion seed, a few divisions from a clump of
chives or other useful perennials, all make timely and acceptable Christmas
offerings. Hundreds of thousands have found out during the war the pleasures
and excitements of growing plants and tending living things, so it will be
in keeping with the spirit of Christmas to give them something that will
enhance that satisfaction and bind them closer to the most enduring hobby of
all. |
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