CHAPTER XX 

 ANIMAL PESTS OF THE ROCK GARDEN 



THE worst of all the insect pests of the rock gar- 

 den is the ubiquitous slug, and, like the thief, 

 working chiefly in the night, is the most to be 

 dreaded. In mild winters, when little or no frost 

 is experienced, the slug continues actively at work, 

 playing havoc with not a few plants, while threaten- 

 ing to exterminate some the most choice. The 

 rarer Dianthi and Silene never escape his atten- 

 tions, while choicer morsels, like Omphalodes Luci- 

 lias, have been sorely tried again and again. Many 

 Campanulas, too, when just pushing into new growth, 

 appear to possess for the slug a very special fascina- 

 tion, and in the case of so exquisite a kind as Cam- 

 panula Waldsteiniana every vestige of Ufe is greedily 

 devoured. During mild winters the slug frequently 

 attacks early flowering plants, the flower buds of the 

 Apiculata, Boydii and Burseriana Saxifrages being 

 particularly subject to attack. 



PreventiYe Measiues and Traps. — For choice alpines 

 occupying solitary positions the ordinary perforated 

 zinc collar placed around the plant will often suffice to 

 keep slugs at bay, particularly if it be surrounded by 

 soot, lime, sifted coal ash, or finely broken granite 

 chips, over which they do not like to crawl. Applica- 

 tions of salt or of some of the advertised soil fumigants ^ 

 are effectual destroyers of the slug, though both are 

 dangerous to plant hfe. SHces of apple or potato or 

 turnip, constitute excellent baits, and frequent exami- 

 nation of them, dropping the pest itito a strong solu- 

 tion of salt-water, will get rid of many. The most 



98 



