St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-08-16
cotton Worm Prospects.

A considerable amount of fear is ex-
pressed by correspondents in agricul-
Tural papers'concorniDg the probability
Of q serious loss this year ftom cotton
worms.
Among the causes pf This uneasiness
seems first to have been The apprehen-
sion that the remarkably warm winter
we had would allow the moths to hiber-
nate in excessive numbers. This idea
was emphasized by some at the Cotton
Worm Convention, held at Little Rock
in January, and something of the kind
was expressed 10 the resolutions there
adopted, despite our strenuous opposi-
ton. The facts of the case seem to be
that warm winter is by no means the
best for the Information of the moth.
We do not think that al especially
warm winter has ever been followed by
a bad cotton worm year.
Another point discussed at tie same
convention was the statement mado by
the chairman and several other extern
sive planters, that the cotton worm
moth was even then to be found in
great numbers on their plantations. II
the moths would hibernate the past
winter as far north as Central Arkan.
sas, we certainly would havo great
cause for alarm. Of course we express
ed at once our doubt of the determine,
tion, and some specimens were then
submitted TO us which were moths he
longing to an entirely different family.
After the convention more were sent us
from different plantations. and others
sent to tho Department Of Agriculture
at Washington. but none of them prov,
cd to be the real cotton worm
a third case Of alarm is founded on
The belief that the cotton worm passes
tho winter under ground as a pupa.
Some of those holding TO this theory do
not distinguish between the cotton
worm and the boil worm. while others
suppose curious change Of habit Of the
cotton worm at the approach Of winter.
1t will suffice TO say that this latter ny
pothesis is mere speculation without
foundation in observation, and that the
pupa sent rs this year, and more espe
cially the great number sent to the
Department at Washington dining the
last score Of years, fail TO give it any
support.
What at the present time Seems TO
cause the most alarm is the presence Of
n great number of moths, especially in
Texas. which are confidently believed
to be cotton worm moths. For the en-.
enlargement of planters we can aay
that there is really small cause for
alarm. To show what weight this
statement has We will state that this
Station has secured the services as cor
respondents, of large nnmher of good,
reliable men in this State and in Mis-
sissippi, Louisiana and Texas, who will
keep us informed as TO The presence
and numbers Of tho worms We have
received from these correspondents
specimens OF the moths that are suppo-
Ged to ha the cotton worm moths, but
none of them have proved to he that
insect. Tho following announcement
has been quite widely circulated
through these States, and the fact that
tie reward is still open proves how
extremely scarce the cotton worms md
moths are.
COTTON WORM MOTHS.
Desifiag TO make out with certainty
4lo wintering grounds of the cotton
worm, the undersigned will give IS 90
reward to the first person sentling real
Cotton Worm Mo!h, taken alive this
year 10 the States Of Arkansas, Missis-
Gppi, Louisiana or Texas.
They are mostly 10 be fusud under
tie shelter of rank wire grass, and may
also be found about gin hoRses or any
SOt her suitable shelter. Many other
mo oths are to be found in The same sita-
afions. They should be sent in a small
tin or wooden box, and accompanied by
n letter, giving the place ard circnm-
stances of it's capture.
There are some who still believe that
-d cotton worm passes the winter in |
aC me other form, and to them | will |
eay that will offer tho same reward to |
the first one sending living specimen of
amy other stages. There is no likeli- \
hood of any one earning this second /
reward till the frat spring brood Of
worms appear.
Address all specimens anii cotnmuni- /
cations to G.. w. Woodwork, Entomo-
logist, Arkansas Agricultural Expert.
ment Station, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
It will be thus seen that rs far as the
cotton WORMS arc concerned, fhe plan
ter has, so far this year, promising
but is not out of tie place to
Ey something az to remedies. Paris
6 reen and London Purple afr about
tic sum of practical remedies for the
SUMMER, and az whole, between the
two, there is not much to choose Tn
their application, the following points
should be considered
L. DO moi apply except chen needed.
This useless waste of time and poison
one sees during every cotton worm
scare. 1t il useless to poison whole
D iautation when, as is often the case.
Tie worms are confined TO q small patch
pr two.
2. Do not apply too much poison. A
pound or even u half pound TO the acre
Il enough to kill all The worms that are
yer found there.
3. DO not let a field Or spot become
ragged. Watch the fields carefully and
lie prepared to poison as soon as the
worms become at all threatening
4. Apply the poison evenly. One
sound ali over the acre is infinitely bet.
...r than ten pounds scattered around
b spots. Be sure You poison every
Plant. {. w, w ooDWoRTH,
Entomologist,
t,ssssss~, FOR THE BLOOD,
weakness, Malaria, Indigestion and /,
fa''0us BROWNS VIZ IRON Buffers.
Il .nres oTlicEly For sale by ell dealers IN
medicine Get the genuine.
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