DESPITE the very wet period, spring flowers are still on time and adding optimism to the days which are increasing in length.

My list this week included primrose, daffodil, wild strawberry, marsh marigold and blackthorn.

Blackthorn (also called sloe) has a fascinating history and was a most useful plant.

The timber is black, hard and very knobbly.

It was used to produce a club which the Irish call a shellalegh -- I have heard it described as an "Emerald Isle tranquiliser."

The blackthorn produces its white flowers before its leaves in contrast to the hawthorn which produces its leaves before the blossom.

In the autumn the plum-like fruits of the blackthorn are very deep purple and are called sloes.

If the fruits are crushed they produce a juice which is almost impossible to remove from clothes.

In the old days sloe juice was used to produce "indelible ink" much in demand by laundries.

They marked their clients' belongings obviously in places where they could not be seen.

Another use for the sloe berries was in the production of sloe gin or a very potent wine.

I would rather be put to sleep by the drink than risk a tap with an Emerald Isle tranquilliser.