New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-03
THE MENACE TO COTTON.

The cotton growing States are confronted
with problem as serious as that with which
France had to deal when the phylloxepa all but
exterminated its vineyards. They will be for
tunate if they can find for the boil weeviI so
complete q specific us the French found in the
Introduction Of native American grape stock on
which to graft the European vine. In his an
nual report the Secretary Of Agriculture gives
his support to the recommendation of the Texas
and Louisiana members Of Congress that $780,
900 be appropriated for the determination Of
the pest. This seems large sum, but as the
cotton crop is worth $5O0,O0O,OOO a year, the
expenditure, if it accomplishes its purpose will
be well worth while.
The cotton boil weevil first appeared in Texas
from Mexico in 1894. In 1902 the Department
of Agriculture first began systematic study of
II as dangerous enemy Of the cotton crop, and
this year, with an appropriation of $4,000, has
done work on a much larger scale. Neverthe-
less, the weevil has spread its operations till
1t has nearly covered Texas and now threatens
to cross the border into Louisiana Unless II
is checked it threatens the whole cotton CROP
Secretary Wilson apparently expects that it will
spread through all the cotton States, but hopes
so to combat its rayages that by proper cultu-
raj methods the cotton industry can be saved
from destruction. The Louisiana Boil Weevil
Convention, which has just been in session at
New-Orleans, however, hopes to stop the pest
at the Louisiana line. It proposes to establish q
zone along the Texas border in which no cotton
shall be grown. 1t would compensate the farm
ers for the difference in value between the crops
they are set to raising and cotton With a quar-
antine against cotton and cotton seed from
Texas and rigid inspection and instant destruc-
ton of all infected plants the hope is cher
ished that the spread OF the insect can be
checked.
The entomolOgists have so far been unable to
find any certain and convenient antidote for
the disease. In Mexico a parasite has been dis
covered by the government scientist of that
country which combats II. but this does not
thrive under more northern climatic conditions
thus offering another instance of the disaster
wrought by disturbing the balance of nature.
An insect which was comparatively harmless
at nome becomes terribly destructive when
transpanted. Secretary Wilson thinks much
can be accomplished by introducing early ma.
turing varieties of cotton which are connnara-
uvely free from the attacks of the weeviI hut
these varieties need TO be improved to make
them as valuable as the late cotton With nronar
cultural methods fair crop can be produce1
even Win iate cotton, in spite Of the weeviI
ana the Secretary wishes, in cooperation with
state authorities, to improve Southern FARMING
with this end in view There is also ,,reant Nc
cessity for the Introduction of other crons n
take the place of cotton This is primarily ~
furnish relief To farmers whose cotton suffors
but it may be expected that, with diversifieotion
Of crops, land when planted TO cotton in its
turn will produce healthier stock. and mean
while will not hand down from one wear To an
other the infection.
The menace 70 Southern prosperity is too