Spectator 2261

[pomona]

14a Put back small branch on tree (5) O?I??
10d Old fogey has very alcoholic punch first (7) D???A??

[mac44]

10d. diehard

[pomona]

Thanks mac44 14a is now O?IE? so looks like osier

[bibblebub]

yes - Chambers gives reis as a variant spelling for 'rice' which can mean a twig or small branch

[vinsculler]

I'm all finished but for 24a; what's the first letter and how one earth does it work?

Thanks,
Vinsculler

[dannyk13]

What is the clue for 24a?

[toalisi]

Farm - mailing

Ar in FM (first minister)

[toalisi]

I should have added that ar is the eighteenth letter

[vinsculler]

Thanks Toalisi,

I still can't see the definition "mailing" under "farm" in my Chambers which is why I didn't like farm in the first place. Am I going to have to buy a new one?

Thanks,

Vinsculler

[toalisi]

Look under the 3rd definition of mailing in Chambers.

[dannyk13]

Mailing shown in Dictionary.com as 'a rented farm'