I MENTIONED last week how pears were grown inside the bottles in which pear brandy was sold.

It was a clever system in which the bottle was wired over the bud of a pear on the tree and the fruit was snipped off when ripe. A neat trick.

A chum reminded me that this technique is also used by a mutual friend – Bob Haigh of Netherthong.

He had a long running dispute with another keen gardener about whose onions were best in sandwiches.

Bob grew his in square bottles in secret. When ready for harvest, he broke the bottle and had square onions.

“There you go,” he said. “Perfect for sandwiches. One slice fits any loaf.”