Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1867-08-24
SOMETHING ABOUT COTTON.

the war, cotton planters, at least IN thu
parish, could rely almost to a certainty
upon making q crop, that is, q certainty
compared with the present chances
Since then, we have been troubled witt
worms or caterpillars every year, which
have we'll nigh driven planters to depera
ton and almost compel them to abandon
that uncertain branch OF agriculture and
attempt something else. Why is this
may we'll be asked by every one. Why
are these destructive insects more pro.
Life now than heretofore /? 1t is a sub
iect admitting Of much discussion, and
one that is entitled to the consideration
Of scientific men as well as planters.-
We have heard of but one reason assign
ed for this change and that by an old
cotton planter of this parish. Whether
his theory be correct or not, it deserves
some attention. If proved to be cor
rect, from such lights as are before us, it
is one that calls for immediate remedy, if
that remedy lies within our power. He
says that the large bodies of water lying
on the lowlands from crevasses, is TIE
cause Of the present annual appearance
of these pests and brings in evidence the
fact that they did so little damage, com
paratively, previous 70 the breaking Of
the l~eYees.
We confess there is much truth in his
and that experience, to a certain
extent, demonstrates its plausibility. But
again, q question arises whether the an
nual appearance Of the worm or cater
pillar, is positively traceable to the eau.
'es he assigns. So far as the lowIaDds
re concerned, bis theory may carry
much weight with il, but how with the
highlands OF the State which are never
'%Tertiowed, at least not by the river? If
'ur observations this season be correct,
more devastation has occurred from the
aterpiilar upon lands never overfowed
the Mississippi. than lands which are
objected to innundations. He argues
the germ originates here and fully
evelops itself elsewhere in~consequence
f the greater heat upon lands higher
ran our own, and that they return to
lelr original home in the regular order
T nature. This is z point we leave for
thers better posted upon such matters
ian ourself to determine, not having had
kperlence ei olgsI in this branch of agri :.
1iture to form an opinion of our own.
Ill IT cannot b. denied that biz theory
srrles some weight, and, in the main
ay be the cause of The annual visitations
these destructive insects. Rebuilding
feyees will do much towards r~e]iey.
g planters ID the production Of ihe !.
eat staple and supply them with food
I'd raiment for their families and labor +
s, but whether it would be the means
relieving them Of their annoyances, I
u only be positively determined after I
ey are rebuilt. Whether the season =
as wet or dry. after the war closed, =
have suffered 10 their cotton r
ops from destructive insects, and this !
IS been one of the most singular seas =
IS for cropping eve known in this 81
ate. The spring opened late with wei il
5afher-planters were delayed in get G,
1g their seed in the ground, and after il u
in, the same showery weather con-
lued with rare and short intermissions. o
It'll now. We can safely say that up S
the present writing, we have had bulls $,
tie real summer heat. True enough, n
the few days of dry spells, when the 8
at came down unrestricted by clouds, t.
was enough to satisfy the most devoui i,
orshipper Of the sun god, but il rarelvls
sted for any length of time. The con. v
quenee of this is that our cotton is late q
ing greatly set back by thess continu- e
showers. Again, a great quantity of a
was planted in cotton after the rear Of