Letter: Olden Delicious

Sir: Your article on gene-manipulation of apples (2 August) left a taste in my mouth worse than that of a French Golden Delicious.

I have pleasant memories of the days (before the EEC) when Golden Delicious were delicious: honey-sweet, fragrant, easy to eat and a treat. I don't think my children know what an apple tastes like; they refuse to eat them.

You say that the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale houses a massive resource of "more than 4,000 varieties": my apples of 30 years ago must be there somewhere. Why aren't we using them?

JOANNA CLARKE

Glasgow