View from the Allotment II

Since the last letter I have had a number of communications from people 'on the net'. There have been a number of messages of support for which I am grateful. Also I have been receiving some tips on writing style. Chris Partridge from Hampshire wrote to say my sentences are too long. I suppose he might know something about it as he claims to be a journalist. A woman from Wisconsin wrote to ask if I had been inhaling fertiliser fumes. If not, would I like to.

There was also a communication from a chap called Manfred Schultz-Walheinke in Berlin. He says that the Lewisham in Berlin authorities had seen my last note and would probably like a word with me. This is not the kind of correspondence I should be encouraging so if there's an ybody from Lewisham in Berlin out there you can make like an armchair and get stuffed.

More seriously, I have received an enquiry from John Stiwa in Wollongong (they might not have class but they've got the Bulli pass.) He mentions that his lettuces have developed brown-leafy-stem. I am almost tempted to say 'bully for you' but that would not be helpful. As they say, we must all help one another to survive.

I have had a look at the books about brown-leafy-stem and they are a bit technical. There is something about heavy metal ions combining with adverse water conditions at high humidity. Seemingly, if you get an excess of cadmium ions in combination with low air pressure and middle-drought conditions the process of photosynthesis is compromised within the cell structure. I don't know myself as I have never tried to grow lettuces in November. I suppose it is different South of the equator. What they do suggest is that before planting you should dig a trench one foot deep and fill it with rotted compost which acts as a kind of reservoir. In that case the moisture is retained at an even rate and an soil impurities are kept at 'arms length' as it were.

Anyhow, Next time I write I hope that there will be a different format. I have taken the constructive criticisms to heart and have decided to do something about it. New Mark (plot 2) has engaged the services of a thing called a Spin Doctor. Apparently this is something you have to have if you are to make a splash. I am not entirely certain about the splash bit but I suppose a small ripple would do no harm.

Your sincere correspondent
Andy Lamb