The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-07-29
FARMER AND PLANTER.
STUDYING THE BOIL wEEv1L.
The Result of Observations by the
Texas EntomOl0gist of the
.If Cotton Boil Weevil.

~ Cotton Boil weevtI.
Have ::ast returned from a ten days
study and experimental work on the
Mexican boil weevil in the bottom land
cotton fields of Mr.. Quinn Walker.
When 1 reached here had many mis-
givings as to the probability of sat
isfactory solution of the weevil prob
lem, but my observations during the
last week have encouraged me great
ly as to the final result. So far as 1
could gather from published reports
the weevil fed and lived in close con-
finement, as it were, behind the popu-
larly termed 'shuck" of the squares
and bolls. To my mind this appeared
as difficult condition to meet and es-
pecially when / had all along been in
formed that no spray could be forced
so as to reach the inside of the square.
Both of these very serious OBJ
stacles find are rather more apparent
than real.
With the best improved MOBILES and
spraying machinery have succeeded
in driving the poisoned solution down
in behind the "shuck" and not only
so, but plenty of it, so that the weevils
found in the squares need not leave to
find the poison, and well-prepared
feast. To my mind this is most i'm
portant development, as the secreted
location of the weevil is henceforth no
serious obstacle to successful warfare
against the pest. Furthermore, by
camping in the cotton fields, night and
day, 1 have ascertained that the weevil
travels about a great deal more than
was ordinarily supposed. This is also
encouraging, as the pest is exposed for
greater time and more frequently,
and hence another serious obstacle is
found not to be SO serious a one. l
mention these points particularly be-
cause the planters are discouraged on
the basis of the old regime, and if they
can be assured that the way has now
been at partially cleared they will
take heart and take up the recommen-
dations which 1 shall make in due
course, and apply them thoroughly.
just at this moment my experiments
with the remedies are not yet enough
advanced to more than suggest the
best remedies and the hest method of
preparation, and it would neither be
justice to myself or the state, to ad-
wise specifically at this time. Just as
soon as l can go on record with some
thing that think is practical and eco
nomicai and will stand the test of
time, there shall be no delay in the
matter of its publicity.
Meantime / desire to advise the
planters against the use of lights to
trap the boil weevil. By marking some
20 weevils on cotton plants in the open
fields, have watched them personally
from seven o'clock in the evening until
eight o'clock the next morning, and
not single one few away or left the
plants during that time. This applies
only to this season of the year. In the
fall when they may seek alternating
quarters the situation may be very diff
ferent, and / shall report on that in
due course. Meantime / consider
lights for boil weevil, money and labor
thrown away.
Have also noted the suggestion that
fallen squares be gathered, as also
those fiared and yet on the stalks, and
burning the entire lot. This is alto
gether advisable on general principles
and should be followed up as far as
practicable. Have been making some
accurate tests along this line for the
past ten days, but am not prepared as
yet to state the exact value of the
practice or the nature of the benefit
derived. Will only say that suggestions
based upon observations made thus
far, indicate that labor and money
thus expended will be fully worth the
cost.
In this connection / desire to re-
quest all cotton planters to write me
fully of their observations and expe-
riences, and always to send specimens
of the insects they have been observ-
ing. l desire to make this investiga-
ton as complete as possible as I go
along, and need the cooperation of the
cotton planters to accomplish that end
the best. At the same time, however,
beg to suggest that as / am in the
field and have no Office help accom-
panying, that my time should be taken
up largely in experiments and expert
studies, and therefore hope that my
friends, and the correspondents gen.
orally speaking, will not press for
prompt replies, and give me the bene-
fit of their researches for the good of
the cause. / shall, of course, answer
all correspondence in due time, but do
not think that the best interests of the
state will be advanced by allowing ii
to cut short experimental researches.
Other papers in the interested local
tiles please copy, SO as to facilitate