The Van Buren press., 1867-09-27
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
OZARK, ARK, Sept. 18th, 1867.

oAahh, AIks ocpt lclll, 1901.
DEAR DUNuAM: Since my last communica-
tion to you | was shown some cotton stalks
from the farm of Mes>rs. Hall & Collins. that
were almost entirely stripped of the leaves,
and many of the young bolls were perforated.
and some Of them entirely DESTROYED by the
voracious worms that are now in armies of
millions in many of the cotton farms in this
vicinity. Seeing these stalks Of cotton, which
Dr. Carter and Maj. Hall said was sample of
the ravages Of the worm in many crops, es-
pecially Ofthe farm of seventy acres of cotton
from which they had taken thcm excited me
to 20 and see for myself what these worms
were doing and when beheld the sad work
of these wormS-thc cotton with 10 leaves
scarcely and many of the yOung bolls destroy
ed felt very much troubled ;but after walk
ing through several divisions of cotton and
close examination, we found no damage done
the older and matured bolls. We also noticed
that the worms were leaving this cotton, at
least we obserbed thata very large majority
Of them were on the. ground, and we hoped
were trying to make their way off; although
as the sprigs of grass are numerous so are
these worms. We yet think that they will
not damage the cotton seriously. As when
the leaves are out of the way more cotton will
open; and as pickers can gather more per
day it will be picked sooner, consequently be
better lint, clear Of trash, weigh more and
bring better price. We think it Is so late in
the season that the worm win not eat any
bolls that would mature. Yet many seem to
fear serious damage by them. This worm
made Its appearance. in w. \. Parkes' cotton
some thirty days ago; for many days made but
little progress; they did not appear in large
numbers but finally millions appeared in his
cotton and simultaneous millions appeared in
the adjacent patches and now hear of them
in nearly all the cotton Of the surrounding
country, from Which fact, am convinced that
the conclusions arrived at by close observa-
ton, while in Messrs. Hall & Collins and r.
NJ Flemans' cotton, are correct; that is, this
worm is produced by a fly. Where it comes
from, or Its origin, shall not attempt to de-
termine. But one thing observed, that this
worm at certain age prepares to transform
itsely into a n.y. by rolling up into webb
not unlike a catapllar, and tlIis fly like the
knit fly, that deposits the form of bolts on
horses, deposits the egg on the top branches
Of the cotton from which this worm proceeds.
We do not think that this worm will serious
ly damage the cotton-but dc not know. But
should 1t destroy the cotton crop, on top of
all our other msfortunes (some of mine /
would not make public,) this country Is gone
up, and we had as well prepare for our desola-
ton. May God in his mercy arrest these
wicked worms and give them relish for the
crabgrass and burrs, which If they would en-
tirely annihilatc would rejoice the farmer
who has labored so hard and faithfully to pro-
duce those fine fields of cotton, that the worm
seems so intent to destroy.
For varieties, after returning from the cot
ton farms, took n moonlight skiif ride, ac-
companied by Mrs NJ. A. s. and other charm
ing girls, and several clever young men ofdis-
tinction. who road the boat for us. We
crossed the Arkansaw river to Mrs. Flemans'
who sent the boys to the melon patch, and
they soon returned with some fine large mel
ons, though not 50 large as one shown me BY
Mr. i. T. webb, the morning before which
weighed iity-threc pounds and one half. AZ
ter the feast upon melons, as Mrs. Curtey was
not accustomed to riding upon the waters, we
all returned quietly to our several abodes
without the loss of but one. Mr.. ], j. E's,
partner, who was not drowned but found and
saiely conducted home by Mr. II. II. A. w.
Yours in haste, JABEZ,