SLUGS AND EARWIGS in 



the earliest stages slugs are apt to eat out the growing point, 

 and then proceed to feed upon the succulent stems of the 

 lower leaves. A little lime scattered between the pots and 

 over the surface of the soil, without touching the leaves, 

 will be useful as a check. But when it is seen that slugs 

 have made their way into the frame, the best course is to 

 take the plants out, carefully examining the pots in doing 

 so. Then spread an inch or so of lime over the surface of 

 the bed, and replace the plants in their original positions. 

 An occasional dusting of the plants and the surface of the 

 pots with soot will act as a deterrent. The chief dependence 

 must be placed upon diligent search for keeping Dahlias 

 safe from slugs and snails, and it need hardly be said that 

 those caught should be at once destroyed by dropping them 

 into strong brine or some other mixture equally effectual. 



To protect the plants when in their permanent quarters 

 from the ravages of slugs, the ground immediately around 

 them should be made fine and quite level, so that no hiding- 

 place for the pests will be available. These surfaces can be 

 dusted with lime or soot from time to time as may be con- 

 sidered necessary. A few lettuce leaves laid about on the 

 surface will be useful in diverting the attention of the slugs 

 from the Dahlias and rendering them less rapacious. 



Earwigs confine their attention to the flowers, and as 

 they commence their attacks at an early stage, a very few 

 bites are sufficient to render a bloom worthless for ex- 

 hibition purposes. The old-fashioned method of catching 

 earwigs by means of small flowerpots loosely filled with dry 

 moss, and inverted on the top of the stakes, is a good one 

 in the case of Dahlias grown for exhibition, but it cannot 

 be recommended for those grown for garden decoration 



