The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-02-11

VA
Agriculture has just issued the report
Bullctin No. 163) Of Mr.. w. d. Hun
ter, special agent, on the Mexican cot
ton boil wccvil. 1t contains matter
of much Importance to tie cotton
growing interest Of this country and
r~ccitcs some facts Of even wider cen
Germ.
The pest in question first appeared
in Texas only eight years ago, in 1894,
and it is confined to that State 80 far
as known. The territory covered by
it, however, includes more than a
fourth (28 per cent) Of the cotton
acreage Of the United States, which
produced q third Of the total crop Of
the world in that year. It includes
all the twenty-five counties which in
1899 produced 10, 1000 bales or more
each.
The estimates Of the damage effect
ed by the insect in 1902 range from
235, 900 to 500, 900 bales; representing
from So, 900, 900 to $25, 0O0, 900. 1t is
well within the bounds Of conserva-
ton to say that the loss for that year
alone was at least $40, OOO, 600; the
insect, therefore, ''is among the most
formidable menaces to an agricultural
industry that ever arose in this coun-
try or elsewhere" Too much care, it
would appear, cannot be observed by
the guardians Of the agricultural in
terests Of other States to prevent the
pest from spreading speedily beyond
the territory it already occupies.
The Bulletin remarks, however, that
IN spite Of the generally serious out
look, lit is not necessary to abandon
cotton when the insect appears.
Tho experience Of many counties in
Texas shows how a locality can, in a
short time, adapt itself to the new
system of cotton raising made neces-
sary by the weevil." and the system
is of interest to all cotton growers, as
it is certain that all Of them will soon
have to employ it. The pest is "con-
stantly spreading and, basing the
estimate of its progress on the annual
spread in Texas, it is regarded as
safe to predict that in from fifteen
to eighteen years it will be q serious
drawback to cotton culture every
where throughout the South, as it is in
Texas now. There are no influences
that g check it short Of the limit of
its food plant" No machine, or
other device, no poison, and no tenn pit
ing bait Gas cotton seed meal to divert
it.. has been found effective. The
Egyptian varieties are "particularly
susceptible" and the "sea island"
cotton in Texas he's been found to be
subject to it. "No known variety of
cotton is immune" not even the tree
cotton Of Mexico.
The Bulletin gives some specific
recommendations, based on the ex-
periments Of the Department and the
experience Of many cotton planters in
Texas, by following which ga prof.
table crop can be produced in any
situation where the boil weevil oc-
ours" Late cotton, wherever grown,
is certain to be injured; the object
is to mature the. crop as early as prao-
tioable. The recommendations are in
substance:
1. Plant early; if possible, the seed
OF varieties known to mature early. At
least obtain seed from as far north as
possible. Better run the risk Of re-
planting than to have the crop delay
ed. At no place in Northern Texas
should planting be later than about
March 20.
II. Cultivate the fields thoroughly.
The chief benefit Of this comes from
"the constant growth and consequent
earlJ maturity of the crop. Very few
weevils are killed by cultivation.
Mucb of the benefit of early planting
is lost if not followed by thorough
cultivation"
III. Destroy by ploughing up, piling
and burning all cotton stalks in the
fields not later than the first week in
October. A late stop crop" will cost
the planter dearly tho next seoson.
Nv. Plans the rows as far apart as
ia D0asihla md chin ork ~ l.n -
tho rows thoroughly.
Finally, it is noted, anything that.
can be done in the way Of protecting
birds, like the quail, which are known
to feed on the weevil, will undoubted-
ly be of advantage"
The Bulletin can be obtained free Of
cost by applying to the Secretary of
Agriculture.-News and Courier.