News wanted on crop circles

David Fisher - 1 May 1990

Sir,

You may be aware that ‘crop circles’ have been much in the news recently in the UK. In case you have not seen them, they are perfect rings or discs of flattened crops which apparently form overnight, sometimes in groups.

Personally, I am not entirely convinced that they are not a hoax. As a scientist, I would like to know for certain whether or not they are genuine, and perhaps have a simple physical cause. Unfortunately, their study has been largely ‘hijacked’ by believers in UFOs and ley-lines.

I am, therefore, conducting an independent literature survey to discover whether such circles have been mentioned in earlier times, and I wonder if any article in your magazine has ever mentioned them, even if only peripherally.

I would also appreciate the help of readers in my research. I would be interested to hear of any mention (no matter how peripheral) of the circles in scientific journals, textbooks, published diaries, novels, or newspapers (in that order, and the older the better). No anecdotes or hearsay, please. Any help will be gratefully acknowledged.

(Dr) David J. Fisher secretary, UK Skeptics

27 Elderberry Rd, Cardiff

CF5 3RG

(from New Zealand Farmer 30/8/89)