[gardeners] Saved!
asidv@fbg.net (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sat, 20 Jun 1998 20:08:15 +0000
In the Texas Hill Country, the fireant reigns supreme. With their
voracious appetites and breeding habit they have all but eradicated
fleas, Lyme ticks, roaches, scorpions, and pillbugs. They have also
bitten all residents -- four and two legge -- increased the sales of
repellants, and contributed to the "Hill Country Salute" (a discreet
scratching when one hopes he/she is unobserved!). A common subject
of conversation hereabouts is therefore, "Does the fireant represent
a blessing or a curse?"
We can now, personally, add our experience
to the debate. The fireant has conquered the squash! This morning,
when making a fearful inspection to see what had transpired
during the night, we found nothing! A blessed, happy, nothing.
The dreaded plants were gone -- tops, roots, all. The fireants had
ringed them, eaten them, and moved on to other targets. Only their
mounds -- empty now -- marked the site.
To celebrate our deliverance, we drove to Boerne to the Peaceful
Habitation, a rose emporium with 100 varieties of antique rose. We
bought a rose to place -- in honor and memorial -- where the squash
had been. Rejoice with us. We are saved. Pat