THE GARDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 962, 3 May 1930, Page 32

THE GARDEN

By

LEONARD A. GRIFFITHS,

F.R.H.S.

“Flowers are like pleasures of the world.’' — SHAKESPEARE.

HOW TO KILL SNAILS AND SLUGS

Snails feed on weeds as well as c ultivated plants, and particularly' attack cabbages, cauliflowers, beans, peas and violets. In any plan to rid the garden of snails, therefore, it is essential to remove adjacent weed growth, accumulated rubbish or any other shelter prior to control measures being undertaken. There is nothing more disheartening to the amateur gardener than to have his choice seedlings eaten off night after night. Both slugs and snails breed very freely and deposit eggs, which are laid in clusters of 60 to 90. These eggs hatch in about 35 days, and in a very short time the garden is over-run with the pests. In a small area the snails may be collected by hand and destroyed, but ■when in a larger area and in large numbers, the snails aro best controlled by spraying or dusting the plants, or by the use of poisoned baits. A poisoned bait consisting of lib of calcium arsenate or Paris green, and 161 b bran is recommended. It is essential that the Paris green should be thoroughly stirred dry with the bran until the whole Is thoroughly mixed. Sufficient water is then added to make a damp crumbly mash. This bait is

scattered in a thin layer on the soil along the row's of affected plants and other situations where the snails congregate. The bait should be applied late in the afternoon or at night to ensure its heing moist, as it is useless in a dry condition. This bait proves effective, but may not kill the snails in appreciable numbers for two or three days. Another method is to spray the plants with arsenate of lead powder, lilb. to 40 gallons of water, or arsenate of lead paste, 31b. to 40 gallons of water. Dusting the affected lilants with lib. arsenate of lead powder diluted with 41b. hydrated or slaked lime dust, finely sieved, can be recommended. Boards set out at intervals and baited beneath with portions of boiled potato form attractive traps, where the snails will congregate and shelter by day, and can be destroyed in numbers. ANSWERS TO PUZZLED GARDENERS T.H.G., Dominion Road: It is a shade early for shrub planting-, June and July heing the best months. Full detail lists and cultural directions will be published later on in the season. The following five varieties are suitable for your purpose:—Luculia, pink winter flowering; Lasiandra, blue flowers: Retinospora Kricoldes, a. compact evergreen; .Scarlet Gum and Rhododendron.