The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-29

+, - "A ~ u AkY ~, 1909.
backward and suffered besides this &c
much after coming up from the ''leal
the 9th OF July, whether it could make
anything at all. The season, however, was
good, and when the plant escaped it leaped
into growth and huited beyond all expecta-
ton. producing q crop which think my fac
| tors books will show was very nearly bag to
the hand. It was, however, far behind ether
crops in maturity, and the crop Of eaterpillars,
80 to speak, though growing slowly from the
season being unpropitious to them, had made
| at o late period sufficient Roadway to do me in
Jury. My crop alone was found in the condi-
ton to sustain or grow them with facility. All
season been such as to develope these worms
early in the growth Of the plant, it could
scarcely have made ten pounds to the whole
| crop, or, indeed pod OF cotton. An impor-
| tant reflection arises here, impressing us with
the fact that late crops, though not really pro-
ducing the worm, yet in reality may nurture
hordes OF the worms that would have otherwise
perished for want Of food.
It is true that great exciting causes
might produce and develop them without the
coincidence Of .succulent crop to nourish
them, but, being at first few in numbers, thew
would come on slowly. and, perehance, with q
hot and dry summer the first brood would not
appear in the crops at all, and even with a wet
August It could scarcely appear before Octo-
ber-tOo late to do serious injury.
Bear it in mind that these insects are hatched
and grown. The hatohlng depends on the
season; season; the growing on the crop as well as the
worms are first hatched in any appreciable
numbers, the brood OF caterpillars fails for
want OF proper nOurishment. If, on the con-
trary, the crop is in favorable condition to
feed the tender young worms in their differ
ent broods, the Matching, whatever it may be-
is carried through the worm state without ap-
preciable- diminution towards another brood,
while under other circumstances there would
have been a large diminution. Such dimi-
mutton at the first produces very appreciable
effect when the producing moths at the most
are few, (but few having escaped the vicissi-
ceedingly numerous, however, even though
they should lose three-fourths of each brood
enough are still accumulated to destroy the
crops.
With the two past years we have found it i'm
possible to make our crops grow of. We have
had no spring, and just such seasons as our
past experience would have warranted US in
the production Of the worm. The statement
about the eggs being found in the pith of the
stalk is ridiculous and impossible, for the little
moth that lays the egg is too feeble, and
has nothing wherewith to pierce the wood of
the stalk.
On the whole, it seems to me that, with va
ried seasons. timely planting, genial springs
expect a respite from the cotton worm, or,
speaking more strictly, have no ground for
supposing otherwise.
Major john Jenkins, Of Edisto. informs me
that his cotton planted on what is known as
salt or reclaimed marsh land entirely escaped
the ravages OF the worm, both in 81 and '68
the worms proving very destructive on the
high lands Immediately contiguous.
This would seem to indicate the free use of
salt as preventative, but whatever good Iaay
be effected by such use, it should be remam-
bered that We cannot reach by an artificial
such a saline condition OF the soil as that or
the salt m marsh land, and thus, without consid-
ering cost Of large application Of salt, we
must confess our incapacity to approximate to
the properties Of the salt marsh withou rem
'dering 1t unfit for oil vegetation..
i have observed myself the singular exemp-
ton n drom m the rayages Of the worm experienced
rust. The soil Of this field has medium Vel
low sandy loan, having nodules Of ferruginops
sand s L., scattered over the surface mix.ad with
In 1866 there was no appearance Of caterpillar
at all in the part Cf this planted field. In 1867
one cocoon and one worm was alone SEEN In
1868, the whole field being planted, the worms
This field natures very early, and in ordinary
seasons, without manure, would probably rust
badly.
In one instance, then, we have salt marsh
lands exempted from injury for two years. en-
the fields around we're ravaged by the worm.
In another, in lands having lron largely incor.
porated with 1t, the same entire exemption is
afforded in two consecutive years, and very
A
fields were eaten up.
think, however, have known sssalt Iandn
cotton eaten. and 80. also, that grown on
land disposed to rust, but never to the same
extent as on other lands.
This article is . summary of the very best in
formation l can give upon this subject. would
be happy to answer any inquiry in connection
with this matter, and will thankfully receive
information from any one who will communi.
cate with me through The NEWS Office, or 9TH
erwise. think it impossible to destroy these
insects. There may be wholesome results
reached by every effort towards promoting the
early growth OF the plant. My advice is not to
plant too soon, but simply in time. Cotton
we'll put in, from the 1st to 18th Of April, is
abundantly in time. have yet to learn any ad-
JOHN W. R. POPE.
p. ST. propose, at my leisure, to examine
for your columns the following subjects:
1. The method Of cultivating long cotton,
and how far we may vary from the old approved
q. careful review of every mercantile ma
nure sold in the United States; what Zach az
ticle promises for itself; it's constituent ele-
ments; it's relation to the constituents Of plants
cultivated, and it's relation to the many home
made manures hitherto used with marked sue
cess; Its price, and it's relative economy in DIS
tributon in the fields.
y. Prlce OF cotton, and it's relative injury to
painters when compared with disaster arising
from natural causes.
4. Wealth of planter and spinner compared;
showing now the producer has fallen short OF
the manufacturer in profit.
5. The necessity OF 9 cotton board, and
it's organization.
6. The area of long cotton planted, and the
necessary reduction Of crop OF 1869, owing to
planters being obliged to resort to the s'two-
day system" for want Of capital.
~. The necessity Of the long cotton crop to
Charleston, &c.>~
8. The economy of growing grain crops and
raising cattle in relation to price OF cotton as
enabling the producer to hold against buyer,
cotton.
8. The growth Of manufactures at the South,
arising from the necessity OF investing, in some
ways small surplus Of profits derived from
the raising OF cotton. The cheaper the raw
material the greater the inducements to manu-
facture ut home.
I will, with pleasure, retire from any one Of
these subjects should any other writer under.
take it. &e59
AFFALRS I'M THE STATE.