Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-10-11
From tho American Farmer.
The CoTToN WoRM-SoUrHERN lMPoRTA'
T1oNs, &c.
CLINTON, Miss. Sept. 9h. 1s3o.

CLINTON, Miss. Sept. Oh. 1892.
J.. S. Skinner. Esq.-Dear Sir-Ihe
prospect of cotton has changed very much
siace the Is, August, for that lime we have
had no rain a, all and with the dFy weather
came muriads of worms on the cotton, and
destroyed it very much. How they are
produced no one knows. They attack the
forms first, then the blooms, then the young
bolls, and even eat those that are full size
before opening. Ifthey make the slightest
puncture it dies. l. noticed several eaten
out entirely, but this is not common, as sney
seem to,take a distaste as soon as 1t BE-
becomes aerid from. frrmentation.. ihey
vary in length from an eighth TO one, inch
are. of uniform size in the glrth, except the
head and tail. :, Their heads are little Hat
tened and turned downward. with fang
ON each side of the mouth. The tail IS ra-
,her more pointed than the. generality Of
worms. andi is quite transparent TO the END
from whereil begius to taper. They have
a row ofl,gs on each side. which are very
proportiona:e in size TO their general s:ruc-
iure vet are little longer towards the head
and tail than in the centre. Their feet are
black, They hayea few black spots ex-
tending from the heal 10 lhe tail, in rows
which are on the concentric rings around
the body pale yellow ndented streak run.
ming the full length. They seem to prefer
the rare atmosphere of the highlands TO the
more dense sections Of Mississippi and Va.
ZOO, or even that Of our creek bottoms.
They seem worse in those places where
the louise prevailed last spring. | am thus
particular ia order to let you know, as far
lam able to inform you, the kind Of insect
they are. ..s .. ,............
Although worms are considered the low.
est in the scale of animal beings, yet they
are capable Of doing great injury and in
order TO give you an idea of tho extent, /
will cite you two examples: O"e planter
who has in 2S0 acres, has propoposed to
pick il out, gin, &C., and let any one have
the Whole crop for 100 bales insured. This
plantation is one of the richest, and the
crop was q, one time considered among
the best. and ifno casualty ofthe kind had
occurred, would have turned out bale to
the acre. Another gentleman proposed his
whole crop of $50 acres That he might hire
out his hands) TO any one who would give
him 20 bales. He is an old and expcrienc-
ed planter, and has very good land.
Some crops of corn are gathered in fine
order. We are rcising very fine and heavy
wheat in the northern part Of tho State.
Not many planters will purchase meat this
coming season. Upper country produce
will never be again n such universal de.
.mand. So you may readily discover the
salutnry lesson necessity has taugbt US.
Now it We were but free Of debt, and would
engage 10 a direct trade with any portion
of the world our interes, might dictate to
US, we would not be burnt by the fires OF the
upper country and New York. Those
who hold the tight reins over US. would then
como to US, instead Of our going to them
as now, for our own means by which for
eign importalions are introduced among
us, and at very heavy per cent advance.
II cotton brings higher price in Liverpool
and Huvre by stopping at New Orleans
and New York. (and particularly the latter,
to make. profit 10 others than the growers
and if goods arn made cheaper by s:oPine
a, many places before they reach here, to'
profits TO be made by adding on heavy pei
cents, there must be some legerdemain
about the operations beyond my ken
am not agains, the northern capitalist max
ing as much as he can-l am not agains
any place or people-but ! do not think
any one ought TO be allowed to speculate
on the cotton We make, for the mauufaciur-
ers ought 10 have it direct from US, and We
their goods direc, from them, NO mater IN
particular where they are established. |
know i, is a hard matter to divert The course
Of trade from channel j! has been running
in for any length of time-but depend on
il, We arc losing every year millions that
might be saved to the south if she would
but iransac, her own business. Very res.
pectfully, your friend and obed't. serv't.
JAMES NJ. SMITH.