Criticism Springs Up on Editor’s Water Use

In the May 26 edition, Robert Smaus wrote that he needed a lusher garden “to help offset the noise of airplanes overhead and a busy mall right behind.”

In reality though, a typical urban garden would almost be useless in reducing noise. True, 100 feet of forest has been shown to reduce noise levels by 7 or 8 decibels, but what he has here appears to be far from this.

If Smaus wants to justify a high water-consuming garden, he should come up with a better reason.

JOHN SWEETSER

Bakersfield