The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-02-10
MEXICAN COTTON WEEVIL.
Federal Government Asked to Act in
the Matter.
DANGEROUS ENEMY TO COTTON CROPS
Apprehension Felt Les, the Pests Extend
Their Rsvages Over All tho Cotton
Growing States.

Democrat today contains the following
editorial:
The New Orleans cotton exchange has
appealed to Senator Blanchard and asked
him to urge the Federal government to
take some steps toward Graduating the
! Mexican weoYil which last season ravag-
ed the cotton fields in Southern Texas.
The weevil was first noticed only a short
/ time ago, and II was at once recognized
! that it might prove dangerous enemy
to the cotton crop. The United States
! eutomologlst, who investigated 1t, so de-
/ clared and recommended that steps be
! taken to rid the country of 1t. lie ex-
/ pressed the opinion that 1t would move
northward and eastward and infect In
time a large part of the cotton country
The onward movement has already be-
gun. The weevil has steadily advanced
and has now crossed the San Antonio
river. 1t Is slow of movement but is also
sure, and the cotton exchange is right in
the view it has taken that it should be
eXterminatcd now before it becomes a
serious menace to the cotton fields. This
eau be done much better now, and at
much less cost than few years hence.
! The ravagcs of the weevil are as vet con-
fined to a very limited area, on the bord-
crs of the cotton country. Let II fight its
way to the center of production IN Texas
{
rid Of IT for every dollar it would now
cost, II the South had scen chance Of
discriminating the cotton worm at the
| start instead of letting 1t get the head
! way it secured, many millions would have
been saved the Southern farmers And
in some respects the weevil Is more
dangerous enemy than the cotton worm
for it is not to he got rid of by the simple
use of paris green
Jho State of Massachusetts is 3usi nor,
engaged IN a struggle with a little insect
II allowed to got a footing there the
gypsy moth. \ few years aro it could
nave got rid Of it with very little trouble !
sand dollars. Mnssoohusstts bova,,er
realizes that IL IS well worth rls e,,r,
and Is not disposed TO stint money In such |
good cause.
The danger from tie Mexican weevn |
mas been called TO the attention of the |
Texas legislature As Texas is the state |
most affected. one would exnert If ~ taLo |
"'''ol ~ we matter anu It's fallure |
but because Of the railrro a. revas :,
act the cotton country should not be let |
at the mercy Of this new enemy In view ,
Of the fact that the United States is fully
equipped with an entomolosical bureau.
which has made snecigl studv ~ bna.
tn get rid If noxIous ,osoc,s o,I - ~
further fact that the fight against the
Mexican wce"il Is not made IN the inter
e.t Of Texas alone. but of all the cot n
states, it would seem appropriate ana
proper for the Federal government to IN.
dertMte it. We hope tina, Senator Blanch-
ara VIII can the attention Of congress to
the petition Of the New Orleans Cotton
exchange. and that the other cotton ~.
changes viii insist upon the Federal gov
e err, taking the necessary steps TO
done SO easily and cheaply
New orleoHs February 9.--The following
Secretary Hester Of fhs Co,ton t,,,,ia, ~
will prove interesting reading to All en-
gagged in the cotton industry: ~
non, n. G. Blanchard, United States SEN
Tor, o. e'' r,7..d' W dSHlhe'o1, D. C.:
leans, February 6. ls96.-Dear SIR i GSIosed
beg to hand You a COPY of a letter lust
Texas, in relation to the o' sorea %, Cpero