SLUGS AND SNAILS

Southland Times, Issue 23855, 28 June 1939, Page 16

SLUGS AND SNAILS

In summer when growth is plentiful the browsing of slugs and snails is not so serious as during winter and early spring, when the plants afe small. .They may then do extensive damage in a very short time if not checked. Bluestone (copper sulphate) in. any form and in the smallest quantities is intolerable to these creatures- and dehydrated. and mixed with lime hydrate (slacked lime) at the rate of one ,part to 10 and thinly distributed with a “duster” it is very effective. Or it may be finely ground and mixed with Kainjt at the rate of one part to twenty and distributed at the rate of loz a square yard. These should be applied before planting. Further, these pests will not , touch anything which has been sprayed

with Bordeaux. . . Alum is also an effective slugicide. In solution or distributed thinly, as a powder it may be used freely among growing plants without damaging them. A new and effective remedy is “Meta.’ One stick finely ground and mixed with a quart of bran and distributed thinly is a popular “remedy” in Europe just at present. For’larger quantities a one per cent, mixture by weight/will be found effective. . _ At night in warm humid weather these creatures are most active, and treatments, generally, are best' given then or during the afternoon preceding such periods.—New Zealand Department of Agriculture Journal.