The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-29
ENEMIES OF THE COTTON PLANT.

The United States chronological
commission is engaged in an inves-
tigation into the habits and best
means of cOunteracting the injuries
sustained by the Rocky Mountain
locust, or army grasshopper, and the
cotton worm, through both of which
the agricultural and stock interests
of Texas have suffered so much.
The work of investigation concern
ing the cotton worm and other enc
mics of the cotton plant has been
entrusted to Charles V. Riley, chief
of the commission, who now pro-
poses to pay especial attention
to the practical questions involved
in the investigation, promising to
make a comprehensive and final re-
port at the end of this season. To
make the investigation complete,
and to offer to the government in
formation upon which means may
be applied by the same to probably
exterminate these pests, every spe-
cies of information should be given,
and to this end all who desire to aid
on the work are invited to send in
such data as will be of interest.
The inquiries are directed as follows:
Insects Affecting the Root-Under
this head there is need of much fur
ther investigation, and / wish OBJ
servers to pay particular attention
to plants that die where the trouble
seems to be in the root. Specimens
found on such roots should be care
fully packed and sent to me accord
ing to suggestions in the letter of
Instructions. All symptoms and
manifestations should be carefully
noted.
Insects Affecting the Stem and
Branches-Here, also, there is room
for additional observations, and |
repeat the request made in the pre-
ceding paragraph.
Insects Affecting the Leaf.-These
include a large number of species
which have already been studied by
the commission. 1t is upon the cot
ton worm among them that l desire
the recipients of this circular to con-
centrate their attention, and especi-
ally to the means of destroying it.
In addition to the special instruc-
tons you will receive the different
substances treated of in bulletin No.
8 of the commission, especially
pyrethrum powder and yeast ferment
or beer mash, should be carefully
tested so far as opportunity offers to
test them, and results duly recorded
and reported. Extracts from any
other plants that grow in your neigh
bOrhOOd that are not too rare and
that give the least promise of bene-
fetal results should be made and
their effects fully tested both upon
the worms directly, upon the crys-
Aides and the eggs; also in how far
they prevent the parent moth from
laying eggs. L also desire to have
trials made of any machine employed
in your vicinity whether for spTink-
ling, spraying or powdering, also
models. or photographs, with full
descriptions of any machine or con-
trivance not mentioned in bulletin
No. 8.
Insects Affecting the Square or
Involucre.-Under this head it is
proposed to treat of every insect
that in any way affects the square
and causes it to wither or to fall.
The shedding of the squares to an
unusual extent is a very serious
trouble in many sections, and there is
much yet to learn as to the different
causes which led to it. l therefore
desire as full report on this sub
ject as possible, as also specimens of
the insects concerned in the work.
Insects Affecting the Blossoms
Any insects infesting, or in any way
injuring, the blossoms should be
forwarded.
Insects Affecting the Fruit or Boil.
Under this head / desire more par
ticularly accounts and specimens of
those insects, other than the Ordi-
nary boil worm, which cause the
young boil to wither and fall, wheth-
er by eating into it or by puncturing
it; also any that affect the cotton
after the boil opens, or that affect
the seed.