As an experienced fruit grower I felt that I must make one or two comments with regard to Chris Rundle's excellent article on prunes (Farm Talk, April 1).

The correct term is not "blatting" but "crinkling" from which was derived "crinkley bottom" which was, I believe, the first instance of the virus appearing.

What happened was the top of the plum remained smooth because this was the area affected by the virus, but the bottom became crinkled as usual. The top then had to be crinkled by hand.

Extensive trials were done at Long Ashton Research Station by their head pomologist, Dr McFarlane. He found that a regular treatment with methyl orunetryne cured the problem.

However, the cure did not last because the EU pesticides committee withdrew approval for its use after tests had found that the chemical used at 100 times its usual strength could cause cancer in cockroaches.

Arthur Davies Corscombe Dorchester

Editor's note: Thank you, Arthur, and everyone else who took the time to let us know how much they enjoyed Farming Editor Chris Rundle's tongue-in-cheek April Fool.