Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-03-10
From tie Chass. Mercury.
TIE COTTON CATERPILLAR.

THE COTTON CAFERPlLLaR.
Mr. Editor.-In the Temperance
Advocate of farecent date, which l have
unfortunately misplaced, I noticed a
communication of the venerable Thom-
as Spalding, Of Georgia, dated in Janu-
ary in relation 10 the cocoon OF the
Cotton Caterpillar, with which his ne
eroes had furnished him. 1t would seem
that from. analogical reasoning alone, he
had inferred, that every one OF this
great foe of our lavorite staple, did not
annually perish. NJ,
In nv memoir on The Cotton Plant,
I expressed similar opinion, and ad-
yer,ed to facts which seemed to confirm
il. About month ago, an accurate
observer of this place stated to me, that
q lava had been found in tho Cotton he
was them preparing for market, which
however, in consequence of very sud
den and unfavorabe change in the
weather, survived only a few days.
Subsequently he pu, into my hands Two
insects abou, halt an inch long, and of
a dark, dirty color, discovered in the
same situation as the first. These, my
friend said differed from each other, and
in some respects we're unlike the one TO
which he had previously invited my
attention. After minute examination,
I arrived at the conclusion, that the
larger was an offspring Of the Noclua
Xylina. Both were replaced in their
downy beds, and locked up in my sec
re,arv. A week afterwards on unfold
ing the mass of Cotton to exhibit them
10 a visiter, the insect my unseienlific
eve had pronounced of pure blood, was
missing. II escaped, no doubt, while |
was engaged in writing. To me this
was a matter Of deep regret, for on the
preservation of its life depended the solu-
ton Of problem which, as yet is invol-
we'd in mystery. That few nymphe
survived the winter, l never questioned,
but the existence of Larvae in 'hat season,
l had supposed was impossible. In
having lately seen Caterpillar of the
Noctua Gossypiperde tribe, | may then
be in error; for although the enemy is
no stranger to me, yet from my unac-
oaaintance with chronology, am unable
TO speak with authority.
In the Information Of the cotton moth
facts do not warrant me in believing,
still as The evidence OF Mr.. SpaldiDg is
conclusive, as 10 the existence of pupe
at this time, the planter should be arou-
sed 10 the adoption of pl ompt and active
means to discover them in their places
df concealment. In certain locations,
in the immediate vicinity of the ocean, it
is nearly positive that he will be rewar'
ded for his search.
Among the: measures now 10 be resor-
ted 10 by the grower of cotton, Mr.. Spal-
ding recommends the application Of fire
10 the vegetation surrounding the last
years fields. On my part, would advise
a thorough inspection of the cotton and
other houses on The plantation, eSpeclai-
" those parts OF them where The highest
and most uniform temperature is Ekely
to be p eserved. From ,lieir number
last season, ,and the mildness ofshe winter
now nearly closed, we have substantial
reasons for ,hinkinp, that The enemy will
e appear, and very early too in The,
s.r,n.er. I, is. cnnso'atory, however, 10
i;ac,s yhat lis deprcdations may neither
5c extensive nor alarming. BY the !.
state Of the atmosphere in May, June,
july and August, on which its mul'ipli-
cation depends, we shall be enabled 10
determine whether the desolaling scene
o.. the last year is again to be witnessed.
10 the confident hope that the plan
tiers of South. Carolina will aid MIR.
Harper IN his laudable enterprise, len
close letter and prospectus from that
gentleman, for publication in your pa
per.
Respectfully yours,
w. B. SEABROOk.
,Edisto Island, Feb. 26, IS47.