POISON BAIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1939, Page 9

POISON BAIT

DEATH TO SLUGS AND SNAILS. s SUCCESS IN GREAT BRITAIN. The following abstract from English horticulture journals relative to poison bait for slugs and snails has been supplied by Mr W. Davey, Government Orchard Instructor, Masterton: — A notable advance in combating the wide-spread damage done by slugs and snails is claimed by the introduction of a new poison bait termed metaldehyde or solidified methylated spirits The initial action of this poison 'on slugs and snails is rapid. They are strongly attracted to it, take the bait readily and almost at once become comatose.

Method of application: Though metaldehyde can be used alone it is best applied with bran because of the mechanical difficulty involved in the even distribution over, large areas of, the small amount of powder necessary and because bran in itself is attractive. Metaldehyde is obtainable’ in sticks weighing about 2 grammes. This should be finely powdered and thoroughly mixed with 8-10 ounces of bran. The state of fineness of the. preparation is a matter of some importance both to the efficiency of the bait and to the safety of birds, for there appears to be some risk that these may pick up a fatal dose if small lumps are scattered about. The bran is then damped slightly and lightly broadcast, choosing a suitable evening. Broadcasting is the only satisfactory way of treating large areas. In treating small areas the bait may be placed in small heaps under a tile or similar covering to protect it from rain and birds. Such heaps remain effective for some weeks. When broadcast the first heavy rain will tend to wash the bait away. As an indication of. the efficiency of the bait it may be mentioned that the kill obtained dur ing a single night last March amounted to 650 slugs on about 45 square yards. In warmer weather even greater kills may be obtained. Precaution: Metaldehyde is dangerous to human beings if eaten, and it is essential to take all reasonable precautions in making and using the bait. When properly applied no evidence of damage to birds has been observed by the writer. When broadcast it should be remembered that the separate flakes of treated bran need not lie at all thickly: an acre of land has been successfully treated with less than 201 b of bait. Where it is the custom to feed birds in the garden care should be taken to see that lumps of the bait are not lying about in accessible positions, and as already mentioned no lumps should be left about. A recent letter in the “Gardeners’ Chronicle" has called attention to a case where birds were presumed ■ t,o be killed by this agency probably due to the latter cause.

RHUBARB FERTILISING HINTS. When applying manures to rhubarb the grower should consider the follow ■ ing facts: —(1) The plant luxuriates in soils abounding in humus. (2) Large stalks command better prices-. (3) The earliest pullings are the more valuable: and, (4; the crop depends to a large extent on the car given the plants in the preceding season. Animal manures are especially valuable because they supply plant food. General opinion seems to point to the fact, that autumn is the best time for application. Failing a supply of organic matter, recourse must be had to fertilisers. A good mixture can be made of superphosphat. three parts, sulphate of ammonia, five parts, and sulphate of potash, five parts, at the rate of two or three ounces per square yard. This is better applied in late winter or early spring.