On destroying Slugs in Gardens. 23 



out of ten, and it will entirely clear the land of those noxi- 

 ous vermin. The plan I recommend, is to take a small 

 portion of the best fresh lime, and pour on it some hot water ; 

 when thoroughly dissolved, add water sufficient to make the 

 liquid pass freely through a fine rose of a water-pot. Pre- 

 vious to the preparation, take some bundles of Peas haulm, 

 (I give that the preference), or any large leaves of the Cab- 

 bage tribe, and lay them on the ground a pole distant from 

 each other. If the weather suits, the slugs will be found in 

 abundance, collected under the haulm, &c. both for shelter 

 and food : as we always find them prefer vegetables in a state 

 of stagnation, to those luxuriant in growth : when properly 

 collected, take up the haulm, &c and, by a gentle shake, the 

 whole of the slugs will be left on the ground. A very small 

 portion of the liquor must then be poured on them from the 

 water-pot, and in the mean time the haulm, &c. must be 

 removed to a different spot in the intermediate space. By 

 pursuing this plan for one week, (when the weather is 

 favourable), I am perfectly satisfied the whole of the slugs 

 may be destroyed, for the least drop of the liquor will 

 cause immediate death, whereas from lime alone they 

 frequently escape, leaving a slimy matter behind. In the 

 flower garden it will be found useful to water the edgings 

 of Box, Thrift, &c. with the liquid, for wherever it pene- 

 trates, it is certain to kill, even in a rainy season. The 

 first thing to be considered in any new experiment, is the 

 trouble and expense attending it ; for however certain and 

 efficacious the remedy, it is frequently overbalanced by the 

 expense. In the plan I propose, the application is simple, 

 the effect certain, and the expense trilling ; these are objects 



