The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-07-13
THEY SEND SAMPLE OF THE
BOIL WEV|L,

| that have been circulated on the New
York cotton exchange to the effect that
| the Mexican cotton boil weevil has made
| its appearance in large numbers In the
| cotton fields of states other than Texas
| The department has received many re-
| ports OF the appearance of the weevil
| outside of Texas, especially in Louisiana,
| In almost every instance letters from
planters reporting the presence of the
insect pest have been accompanied with
! samples Of the insect. In no case has
! the department found one of the samples
| to be the genuine Mexican cotton boil
weevil, and DR.. Howard, the chief ento-
| mologist does not believe that the insect
has yet crossed the borders of Texas.
| There seems to be a disposition on the
! part OF planters throughout the cotton
| belt to jump at the conclusion that any
| strange insect they find on their cotton
| plants is the boil weevil, and for this
reason the agricultural department adj
| vises that little weight should be given to
| reports from unscientifc sources as to
| the presence Of the insect in any locality.
| 1t is admitted. however, that the boil
! weevil may possibly get into Louisiana
| before the end Of the present season. On
| the other hand. ii may be some years
before II crosses the Mississippi river.
| The experts of the department will
| make no predictions to the rate at
| which it will spread over the cotton lands
! east of the Mississippi when it has once
| crossed that river. Thus far their OBJ
| servations of the insect have been con-
| fined to the relatively dry area of Texas.
| which has been infected with 1t. Not
| much, If any. difference has been detect
ed In It's relative destructiveness on up
| lands and bottom lands in Texas, but 1t
| Is said by the entomologsts that no GER
tam conclusions can be drawn from the
| experience OF Texas to the rate at
which 1t Will develop and spread in the
more humid regions east of the Missis-
sippi. 1t may turn out that it is an insect
that requires relatively dry country for
Its development, and 1t may thus be
much less destructive in the eastern cot
ton fields. On the other hand, 1t may be
found that it will thrive better in more
humid regions and 1t may be more de-
structive east Of the Mississippi than 1t
has been In Texas.
1t is too early yet for any reliable esti-
mates to be made to the effect of the
Weeyil on this years crop in Texas. 1t
Is the later broodS of the weevil that do
the most damage each year. Owing TO
the lateness OF the season this year the
insect Is not believed to have multiplied
as rapidly as IN former years This Is not
regarded as having given the cotton any
decided advantage, however, for the rea'
son that the late season retarded the
planting and growth Of the cotton as
we'll, ard the cotton plant and the weevil
are developing on even terms. The loss
to the Texas planters viii probably be
as pr oportionately great as last year, for.
while many of the planters are adopting
the recommendations of the agricultural
department as TO the best methods OF
combating the weeyil. and will conse
quently gather larger crops than last
year 1T must still be taken into consid
Grafton that the area covered by the pest
In Texas is larger this year than last.
and in many localities where it made its
appearance for the first time last year
and was not numerous 1t IS present in
much larger numbers this season.
To Ascertain Effect Of Tobacco.
The experiments which DR.. Harvey w
Wiley the chief Of the bureau Of chemis-
try of the department OF agriculture, has
been conducting at the government
boarding house" promise some day TO
he OF considera Bile interest to all users
Of toba eco and ill manufacturers and
| tests Of the effect OF the various preserv-
atives used In foods determined. DIR.
Wiley will take up the question OF the
effect tobacco has upon digestion and on
the human system IN general Just az
the cigar comes after dinner so Dr. Wi
lev will postpone his experiments in re-
lation to tobacco until after he has fed
his boarders on ali sorts OF food from
yutI no
some time before he rea ches the tobacco
question When ne does 1t IS understood
that he will proceed as he has done In
the case OF the foods, that Is. he will
sake pure tobacco in various forms
smoking and chewing, and see what effect
its use has upon the consumer when
taken In small Quantities larger quanti-
ties and so on. He will then take up
the aduiterated tobacco or favored to-
bacco and ascertain by experiments what
effect tobacco of this character has upon
the system.
Just how far these experiments will go
has not yet been definitely determined.
nor has Dr. Wiley decided whether he
will us Turkish, Cuban and other brands
Of foreign tobacco, or whether he will
conflne himself to domestic tobacco.
Should the bureau OF chemistry go into
the subject eyhluStlVely ana ascertain
the difference between the effect of cheap
cigars and cigarettes on the system as
compared with hat Of high class, pure
tobacco cigarettes and cigars, the result
would be very interesting to say the
least I. Is DR.. Viley's intention to take
men why, are regular smokers and ascer-
tain their physIcu condition as to their
heart action. brathing. digestion, etc.
while continuing the use Of tobacco UNI
der normal conditions. and then to have
these men to Suddenly cease the use
OF tobacco entirey. The effect of such
stoppage will be carefully noted and DR..
Wiley expects to De bic to report on the
benefits or injuries In the sudden change
of the habits of tie smokers and chewers.
After the effect 4 the prolonged use of
tobacco have ben eradcated from the
system. 1t Is proposed that the subjects
Of experiment shll recommence the use
of tobacco. beginning In small quantities,
which will be gradually increased until
they are using a nuch or more than they
were when the experiments first began.
ThrouphOalt the course of the expert
ments the effect If the tobacco on the
digestion Will be carefully noted All
This viii he a most interesting series of
experiments and Ii DR.. Wiley can make
some observations during their progress
on the effect of tobacco on the DISPOSE
tion of his subjects It's sedative influences
and it's use as a prqmoter of good fellow
shin the experiments will be double valu-
a bile.