Farewell to Our Garden Editor

Mr. Smaus, I am sorry to hear that you are leaving [as gardening editor for The Times], but I am glad that you will have more time to garden (“It’s His Time to Stop and Smell the Roses,” Aug. 30). I cannot begrudge your desire, since I am able to spend most of my time in the garden and I know of no place I would rather be.

I look forward to your book and have but one request to make: Please include an index; that was one of the items I really missed in your last book.

Good luck with your future endeavors and hopefully your future articles. It was always nice, after checking the failed lottery results, to read about gardens and flowers.

PHYLLIS PIRCHER

La Canada Flintridge