SIR – I am indebted to Mr J Pritchard for his comments on basic slag as mentioned in my letter.

His definition is accurate as shown in two dictionaries in my possession, however the word slag is applicable applied to other items.

For instance, unpleasant and evil smelling stuff, such as was cleared from sewage works, and was transported in leaky old carts down the Guarlford Road to farms in the area. The spillage could be smelled for days after, and was referred to as basic slag.

The word slag has uses other than the furnace waste that Mr Pritchard gave his opinion on.

S G T BEARD,

Malvern Link.