Madam, - I would like to respond to David Marlborough's letter of December 18th regarding leaf-blowers. I am a landscape gardener and use a leaf-blower almost daily at this time of year. Far from being a "laughably senseless device" I find it an irreplaceable part of my maintenance equipment.
A leaf-blower, when used properly, directs leaves and debris over a large area to a point where they can be piled up and disposed of easily. A rake does the same thing but takes twice as long and can damage plants in flower beds. In wet weather leaves tend to stick to paved areas and brushes and rakes become useless. A leaf blower will lift them with ease.
If Mr Marlborough had done some research he would know that "leaf vacuums" do exist, though I find they lack the capacity I require.
As for the charge of laziness, landscape gardeners are among the fittest tradespeople around.
My one regret in using leaf-blowers is the necessity for fuel in this time of global warming. However, unlike Mr Marlborough, at least I am putting hot air to good use. - Yours, etc,
PIERS WILSON, Ashlawn Park, Ballybrack, Co Dublin.