JIM WALKER’S novel way of controlling leatherjacket grubs raised a few titters with me this week in his Farm View column (page 8).

His vision of farting crows after they ate the grubs winkled out of his grassland following treatment with a garlic-based product to get rid of leatherjackets who were happily munching their way through his much-needed grass, brought some hilarious suggestions, mostly involving French waiters and the ability to bake four and 20 black birds in a pie – without the need for further flavouring.

Nevertheless, it begs the question – why doesn’t someone plant a field of garlic to produce the raw material for what Walker the Talker claimed was ‘a huge success’? And will it work for other beasties in other crops?

Chasing pigs

RECENTLY installed leader of the SAYFC, David Lawrie, was in danger of being reported to just more than the fashion police this week.

While getting ready for his chairmanship of the International Trust’s welcoming reception for the incoming foreign exchangees at Holyrood, on Tuesday night, he was running late and was just affixing his tie.

However, out of the corner of his eye he caught a little brown thing running past the window. As he didn’t have a dog, he knew exactly what it was ... one of his Kune Kune pigs had escaped.

So, he set off in pursuit, complete with shirt and tie ... but only in his boxer shorts ... to round up the miscreant little pig.

The Raider hopes he doesn’t make a habit of chasing pigs in his boxers!

Oldest show?

IT’S BEEN a debate since God was a boy – so maybe our readers could clear this up?

Which show can claim to be the oldest established in Scotland? The recently be-medalled Sandy Wilkie – well done Mr Milk on your MBE in HM The Queen’s birthday honours list – is busying himself in retirement and is already looking ahead to the 250th year of East Kilbride Show in four years time.

Established in 1772, the Lanarkshire organisation pre-dates the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society by 10 years.

West Fife muddies the waters somewhat by claiming to have been formed in 1760, but Sandy argued that it was actually first known as the Chicken Pie Show.

I think our readers will know better?

Lazarus the trophy

IT HAPPENS with every show – every now and then a trophy ‘disappears’ into the wide blue yonder, or bashed beyond repair, or famously ‘cleaned’ in hypochlorite in the farm dairy.

But now one long lost trophy has been re-found. The Parkhouse Cup for the best pair of prime lambs at New Deer Show will once again adorn someone’s cabinet this year after it was found during a house clearance. It had been lost during the war years.

Local antique dealer, Robert Cook, undertook the clearance sale and was quick to donate it back to the show and show president, Alistair Kindness, was delighted to have it back for re-presentation at this year’s show in Craigieford Park, on July 21 and 22.

The heckling hen

WHEN CHIDED about being upstaged by a heckling hen during his opening speech at Scotsheep, Scottish Tory grandee, John Scott, showed true political wit.

“I’m quite used to be heckled in Parliament, but at least the hen had something to be proud of – it had produced an egg, unlike some of the headless chickens in Holyrood!”