Once Over Lightly

SEVERAL PEOPLE clipped pieces about the report of one Dr. Floyd Smith, a scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who states that it is not necessary to use DDT or other strong pesticides to control slugs. Merely, says he, put out shallow pans of stale beer, and the slugs will happily climb in and sip a bit before going down for the third time. Pans of fresh beer also work, provided the dedicated drinkers in the neighborhood don't beat the slugs to the draw.