COUNTRY LIFE
CIVILIAN Welfare organisations, which now flourish in most counties, find themselves regarded as universal aunts. Every sort of problem— often not printable—is brought to them by both male and female soldiers and their spouses. Here is the fag-end of a list from a booklet published by the Herts Welfare organisation, and, as I know, all the items are actual (or factual). " When the little business will close unless our George get six months' compassionate leave, or there's £7 los. due for burial fees . . . or there's a wasps' nest in mother's sink and she doesn't know what to do about it, or an A.T.S. has burnt her only wig and there's no provision in the establishment for a new one, or there's no sports ground, no billiard-table, no cinema, no canteen, no furniture for the sergeants' mess, no curtains for the A.T.S. rec. room, no chocolate, no beer, no nothing—well, write to the local or County Welfare Officer "—and most of these little human problems are solved, as well as medical, social and sexual questions of greater intricacy. Of the £22,9oo raised in the county in question over £8,000 has been spent on sports equipment for indoor and outdoor games. Personally, I have found small isolated women units particularly grateful for footballs!
Attractive Birds The rapid conveyance of news among birds is as hard to understand as the many examples of quick wireless information among native tribes, unequipped with scientific apparatus. It has been recorded in The Times that the unusual crop of spruce cones has brought flocks of crossbills to Surrey. An acreage of mangold seed in East Anglia brought together a great many hundreds of greenfinches. An abnormal number of field voles in the same area caused the immigration of quantities of short-eared owls—and this association is usual. All this means that we may make fairly sure of attracting birds by providing the desired food or living conditions. With regard to the crossbills, there is some reason to think that the Forestry Commission (which has ousted some species) is per- suading this species of finch to become a constant resident. Like the Commission itself, it must have conifers, but neither should object to a mixture with other trees.
Berried Treasure One of the advantages of open weather at or about Christmas, appre- ciated especially by those who cultivate berried shrubs, is that the birds leave the fruit alone. This year, for some unknown reason, the seed- eating birds, such as goldfinches (loveliest of all) and even redpolls, have been much in evidence, busy among the bents of the grasses as in the seed-beds of garden plants (too often prematurely shaved by too tidy gar$enens)• On the other hand, holly and pyracanthus have not lost a berry, and both are singularly well furnished. Many hollies are still a gorgeous spectacle in spite of onslaughts by " two-legged birds "—a phrase used by an old and unarithmetical countryman to distinguish boys from birds.
Ungallant Hens Is it true, as some hold, that hens are happier, and therefore lay better, if accommodated with a cock companion? The experience of one very unprofessional poultry-keeper would seem to refute the belief. Under advice he bought at great price a handsome cock and introduced it to his hen-run. The pullets at once attacked it with animosity, and main- tained their hostility so long that the cock was like to perish of cold
and starvation. He was not allowed to roost indoors or to feed with the rest. On the subject of poultry, the one species that has multiplied is the goose, for the reason that it can live by grazing. As in remote days, some of the commons are once again populated by a considerable number of both geese and goats, the most cheaply fed of all domestic stock.
In the Garden Nothing, not even a war of survival, will prevent English people from cultivating 'flowers. Tempting offers of bulbs today multiply and are proving effective. One of our biggest growers of carnations told me that the last war did not even diminish their trade. In this war, doubtless, most horticulturists have reduced stock and suffered severely ; but the trade in flowers continues, nevertheless. It is well to remember in these times that a number of herbaceous plants are the better for being dug up. In nearly all gardens michaelmas daisies and out-of-door chrysanthe- mums should be ruthlessly treated every year, if the size of the flowers is to be maintained. The cottage gardeners are among the last recruits to the kail-yard school: the bright patches of flower remain.
W. BEACH THOMAS.
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