The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-06-04
STUDYING rue poLL wrnvlr.
Entomolonist Maiiy Is Preparing for
Campaign Against the Pests.
To the Editor Of The Post.

~ tue EDITOR OF Tue fQSt.
Sour Lake, Texas, June 2.-Have Jus,
returned from ten days study and ex-
perimen,al work on the Mexican boil
weevil in the bottom laud cotton fields OF
Mr. Quinn Walker When reached here
had many misgivings as to the prob
ability Of satisfactory solution Of the
weevl problem, but my observations dur
ing tho last week have encouraged me
greatly as TO tho final result, So far as
could gather from all government and
other reports the weevil fed and lived in
close confinement as it were. behind the
popularity termed "shuck of the squares
aud bolls. To my mind this appeared as
a difficult condition to meet and especially
when l had all along been informed that
no spray could be forced SO as to reach the
inside of the square. Both Of these very
serious obstacles | find are rather more
apparent than real. With the best I'M
proved nozzles and spraying machinery l
/ have succeeded In driving the poison s0u-
/ ton down in behind the "shuck,' aud
not only so, but plenty OF 1t, so that the
weevils found in the squares need not leave
| TO find the poison and we'll prepared
!
/ porant development as the secreted loca-
/ ton OF the weevi is henceforth no serious
obstacle to successful warfare against this
pest. Furthermore, by camping In the
cotton fields night and day, ] have ascer-
tained that the weevil travels about a
great deal more than was ordinarily sup
posed This is also encouraging as the
pest is exposed for a greater time and
more frequently, and hence another serious
obstacle is found not to be so serious a
one.
| mention these points particularly he
cause the planters are discouraged on he
basis OF the old regime and IL they can
BE- assured that the way has nov been
a. least partially cleared they will take
heart and take up the recommendations
which | shall make in due course and APP
ply hem thoroughly. Just at his moment
, my experiments with the remedies are not
yet enough advanced to more than Suggest
the best remedies and the best method Of
preparation, and IL would neither be jus
lice 10 myself nor to the State to advise
, specifically at this time. Just as soon az
can 90 on record with something that
think Is practical and economical and vii
stand the test Of time, there shall be NJ
delay in the matter OF its publicity.
, Meantime l desire to advise the planter
against the use of lights to trap the Dol
weevil. BY marking some twenty weeNn
an cottop nIants in the omen fields I hav
watcbe5 ,bo,,,' ,ereonallv from o'clocI, h
he evening until the next morning an
nio,ts 5nring hat limo This annie
prIv to ne eaaenn ~ Inc wear In IN
=. fai wSen tbey NAV seek hibernatine qnar
g ters he siriation may be very dineren,
, ana shah renort on mai in due cours,
Msanti11e copsider iiebfs for hon weevi
, ncrey ana lahor ibroW5n away
! uaye siso noted tho suggestion tina
f,iien soI,rae he eatbered as also mos
e aars5 and We, IN fbe staISz and burnp
~ sntiTe IL. Tbte Ia aItogether adj
vIsshis On General nr,nclples and shoui
= h. foiIo,Sed nm az f,r az 5rarticable Hay
= b4en naL,ng soma accurate tests alnu
n his line for the nast ten DAYS. but al
MI nrsnared ne Vet IA state Inc exa,