The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-14
FARMERS OF MONTGOMERY
 GATHER AT PICKETT SPRINGS
TALK OF COTTON WORMS
MONTGOMERY FARMERS FIX.
 PRESS SOME APPREHENsIoN.
Reports to State Agricultural De pertinent do Not Indicate Gem eral visitation-Method of
 Destroying the Pests.

Y Cotton worms have appeared in Mont gomery County in alarming numbers. They have not shown destructive force as vet. but farmers are apprehensive and anxious.
 They have not only appeared in Mont gomery County, but disquieting reports of their numbers have been received from the adjoining counties of Lowndes and Macon. The farmers generally appreciate
 the dangerous significance Of the eomine of the cotton worms and they are taking immediate steps to lessen or remove the danger. There has been great demand for Paris green. The merchants Of Mont gomery kept on hand only small auan- tity of the poison and this was soon ex- hausted. It is said that none could be had in the local market Wednesday, but hurry orders had yesterday relieved the situation.
 Paris green is the standard worm de- stroyer. It is the simplest and most ef- fective remedy for the permanent removal of the destructive worm. The poison, in a powder, is sprinkled over the affected . cotton plants.
 At the agricultural barbecue at Pickett Springs yesterday the appearance of the cotton worms. after a long absence. was the chief topic of conversation. At the barbecue farmers from all sections of the county were gathered. It was learned that the worms were now Tn nearly all sections of the county.
 Dr. l.. H. Stone, one of the best known farmers of the county, reports the appear ance of worms on his plantation about ten miles west of the city. Dr. Stone only noticed the worms two days ago. He had heard in Montgomery considerable talk of cotton worms On going home he made a careful examination of his cotton to find that on the cotton in his bottom lo, ,Aa ranGidAFnhln John A. Sellers, a member of the club, reported that there were great many worms on his place on the Selma road, five miles from Montgomery. They are there in sufficient numbers to threaten great danger to the crops. W. M. John
 son, prominent farmer also repor.eu ,sa worms on his plantation, on the Wire road, and several of his neighbors have the same trouble. It is said that worms are on two plantations of Henry Abra- hams, one situated north of the city and one on the Red Bridge road.
 The worms are in great quantities on the place of Dr. Frank McClain, who lives fen miles out on the Mobile road. Joe Dickson of Lowndes County, brought
 reports of the coming of the worms In great numbers in his county. Similar re- ports have been received from Fort Davis, in Macon County.
 According to accounts received, the most 0eStruCLiVe WOTk OI IuS WOAuAo h~0 Uc~A done in Montgomery County, at Pike Road and McGehee's Switch. From the unusually large number of farmers in the city yesterday, 1t was learned that these cotton worms are in practically every part of the county. In only few locaii. ties, however, have the worms as yet
 ragged the cotton; that is. destroyed all but the toughest fibrous portions of the plant.
 Their widespread appearance is regarded as very ominous. There is yet time for the cotton crop to be almost entirely de-
 stroyed.
 Commissioner R. R. Poole of the State Agricultural Department yesterday gave out the following statement:
 Reports on cotton worms have been received by the department from Mont gomery, Fillmore, Autauga and Houston counties. she fact that reports have not bean received from our correspond ents in other counties indicates that
 worms have not appeared except in small
 areas. In the four counties named 1t
 seems that this is the second crop of
 worms and they are being poisoned.
 Paris green is the best exterminator,
 but London purple will destroy the pests if paris green cannot pc secured. In | using paris green farmers should have two Osuaburg sacks filled with the poi
 son. Putting one at each end cf a pole' | having the width or two rows or cotton The pole should be laid across the back
 of a mule or horse. In this manner the
 poison may be sifted owes the growing plant. One and a half pounds of paris green to the acre is sufficient. In using
 London purple it is best to have an equal amount in weight of quick lime and
 flour, mixed with the purple to prevent
 scalding. The purple should be scat tered the same as Paris green. Farmers
 should be watchful and begin poisoning
 worms on their first appearance. to pre- vent their second and third appearance" " 'In your opinion, what will be the ef-
 feet of the worms upon the cotton re-
 ceipts?' Commissioner Poole was asked. "The reports are too meagre to give an
 intelligent opinion jusr now" he re- piled. "Of course. the appearance of worms is a serious matter. Their effect
 on the crop depends entirely on the ac- ton of farmers in destroying them. In
 my opinion they have not yet had any appreciable general effect on the growing
 crop. If the farmers give their destruc- | ton personal attention and do not rely
 on negroes, the injury to the crop should
 be arrested"
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