NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 6/30/98 -- Standard&Poor's today lowered its corporate credit rating on The Scotts Co. to double-'B'-plus from triple-'B'-minus and its subordinated debt rating to double-'B'-minus from double-'B'-plus. Additionally, the ratings were placed on CreditWatch with negative implications. The rating actions follow the company's announcement that it has entered into an agreement with Monsanto Co. for the marketing and agency rights to the Roundup brand of herbicide products and, separately, intends to acquire the assets of Monsanto's other consumer lawn and garden business, principally comprised of the Ortho brand of pesticides, for approximately $300 million. As of April 1, 1998, $564.1 million of debt was outstanding. Monsanto's Ortho business provides Scotts with a leading
