Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-10-02

TIE LATEST SERIOUS RNExY on
aARDENH.

AxPofiment S0e1on i11ued o noW0
paper letter on sThs Earliest Serioul
knemy Of Gardens" alternating ovel
winter, the garden slugs were present
iase spring In time 10 attack the earliest
sprouting vegetables. And now, wher
most Of the other sorts Of pests fungus
aud insectl have finished Whatever mis-
cnisf they had in hand, the garden
siugs remain 10 fntten ON the products
OF our labor before their long alternating
mt altar which they will awaken to
open up tina spring campaign.
Judging from looal observation and
6y specimens sent to N, the potato ID
oy far the greatsst sufferer this fall. In
ons garden near Orono, slugs wers pres
snt in every hill dug, often six or
eight of the slimy things attacking q
single tuber. They were underground
lata In August for two evident purposes,
that Of fesding upon potatues and
that Of egglaying.
The eggs ara found in masses, but
separate from one another, covered by q
glistening transparent gelatinoua-like
drop, 20 that each looks like colorless,
clear, glass bead. These would be
rather beautiful to the eye were it not
for the potential evil lurking within.
These eggs will hatch insthe spring and
both the ADULTS and the young slugs will
be ready for the tender spring vegets-
ton.
These repulsive, shiny, slow moving
creatures ara usually termed snails, but
are properly called slugs. There ara
several species of slugs and some snails
which attack cultivated crops. Sings
occur all over the world but are more
abundant and o more injurious pest in
humid climates; their size and habits
make it easy for them to be transported
from place 10 place. The one under
discussion is an inch in length when full
grown and il q deep mottied gray or
greenish gray in color. The body 10
covered with q mucus slime which is
exuded from numerous glands on the
body. This forms slimy trail on what
sver object the sing crawls. The head
and body are contractile, the former
bearing two contractile tentacles near
the front. just back of the head 10 .
broad plata or mantle, with q small
opening ON the caudal lateral margin,
known a. the respiratory opening.
The host plant list is long and
varied one. A variety of greenhouse
plants are attacked, also many ornment-
al shrubs, in the field. In garden and
truck fields almost all crops may serve
a. hoats. The Cruciferas seem the
favorite host, cabbage especially, and
radishea 10 almost the same extent.
Beets. beams peas, corn and potatoes
all suffer. Field crops Of hops, wheat,
clover and rape ara common hosts.
The small fruits are also attacked,
plants often being injured
severely during wet season.
These pests locate at the surface OF
the soil, where they feed on the host
and sap its energy. The feeding
punctures thus formed afford ready
means of entrance for q decay that
soon renders the plant worthless. They
have been found fesding ON the radish
and potatoes at depth of three inches.
During the night they come above
ground. It Ia at this time that they
attack the leaves of plants, often climb
ing up to the foliage of certain OF the
bush fruits. Young cabbages suffer
most. Whatever the host, the evidences
that this slug is the offender may
usually bs found in the coating Of mucus
left. behind. Entire paintings are often
or rendered worthless by this
pest and no season passes that the ,slugs
do not collect heavy toll. Dry weather
checks their feeding, but does not
cause them to cease operations entirely.
As evidence of this, they have been
found, during our hot, dry period In
up in the formed heads OF
cabbage, feeding ON the cool, moist in
terror. At any time when ths soil Ia
again moist, they will appear In numbers.
NATURAL ENEMIES.
Birds ara probably the greatest nstur-
al check We have for the control OF the
slugs. The thrush Ia especially fond of
them. Crows devour them greediiy.
Moles and shrews also feed on these
slimy creatures. Certain of the Carabid
beetles and their larvae are found feed
ing on the slugs. Csntipedes also attack
them occasionally. Domestic fowls will
feed ON the slugs and may sometimes De
used to an advantage in checking them.
CONTROL MEASURES.
With such q variety of host plants az
is enjoyed by this slug and because of
it's general habits it 10 necessary 10
practice both preventive and remedial
measures for its control.
Preventive Measures. Remove the
refuse tops, stumps, etc., after the crop
ia gathered. Clean up all weeds and
trash about tho field and in the fence
corners.
Trups, consisting of pieces of board,
sacking and similar material may oe
placed about ths field. The slugs will
collect under these In the early morning
and may be gathered up In salt water
solution or otherwise destroyed.
Remedial Measures. Bran and arsenic
has been used q q poison bait for this
pest in csrtaiu localities with perfect
success. Drippings are recommended
by oue authority who suggests rubbing
The grease over the under side OF we'll
grown cabbage leaves and distributing
thera about the field. The grease proves
yery attractive TO the slugs which
gather in numbers and may be collected.
II would seem that an arsenical poison
mi CHIT be- added to drippings, and the
leaves thus serve al poison bait
CHAs. D. WooDs, Director.
Apple Trees, Sprayed and unsprayed.
fBy Frank q. Dudley, stass Horsiculturist)