The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-12-09


be accom- plished by the organization
Of a corps Of competent entomologlsIS
and could be carried on in co-opera-
ton with the State authorities. In
order to make this work thoroughly
effective it will be necessary for the
State interested to enact proper legiS-
lation. This is matter that could
be handled and guided by those in
authority, working under the direc-
tion Of the secretary Of agriculture.
2. Demonstration Work to Show
the Value of Improved Cultural
Methods by Which Farmers Can Pro-
duce Fall Crops in Spite Of the Wee
is the most promising field
for immediate relief, and owing to
the fact that the Weeyil IS so far con-
fined to Texas, the work here outlined
would necessarily be limited more or
less to this State, although regions in
adjacent territory should also have such
investigations carried on in them in
order that the people may be-
come enlightened in advance OF
the insects ravages. The object
and scope of the work would be
TO show by actual demonstration ex-
periments the value Of better cultural
methods, the value Of early maturing
varieties, and the value Of and neces-
sity for complete and thorough de-
struction of all infested material. TO
carry out this work thoroughly and
effectively would require a corps OF
men familiar with cultural condl-
tions, and who have the knowledge
and ability to direct the necessary
specific work that might be ordered
by the secretary Of agriculture. Leg
islation would be required in this
case, also, to enforce the destruction
Of infested material; but, under pro-
per organization, this could be brought
about.
3. Work Having for Its Object the
Production Of New, Early and In
proved Varieties of Cotton.-The
value of early varieties has been de-
monstrated, but most Of them have
serious drawbacks in that they are
poor yielders and the lint drops out
easily during storms. These matters
may be corrected by proper breeding
and selection, and one Of the impor-
tant problems would have for its OBJ
ject the taking up Of this work on a
systematic scale, to the end Of Secur.
ing sorts which would not only be
early, but would be storm proof and
resistant.
4. Studies OF Cotton Diseases
While the boil weeyll is manly in the
public eye at present, the fact re-
mains that other serious pests Of cot
ton cause great losses annually. It
is natural to attribute all losses
at the present time to the in
sect in question, whether these
losses be from other insects, diseases,
foods, droughts or whatever source.
Reliable studies indicate that the loss
in Texas alone from the -So-called root
rot disease will, in all probability, ag-
gregate several millions Of dollars an
nually. This and other diseases should
be thoroughly studied, and corrective
measures should be adopted.
5. Cotton Insects. What is said Of
cotton diseases is also true OF cotton
insects Especially Of the boil worm
other than the boil weeuil. These
should all receive careful attention,
and practical experiments should be
carried on with a view to lessening
the Injury caused by them.
6. Introduction Of New Crops
The urgent necessity for the intro
duction of other crops which will take
the place Of cotton can not be too
strongly emphasized. Cotton, Of
course, should be grown, but the time
is evidently at hand when concerted
effort should be made to bring about
a change in southern agricultural
conditions in the direction Of greater
This is recognized
now as a vital question in the south.
In many sections already the yield of
cotton is barely profitable, SO that,
when the reduction due to the boil
weevil and other pests is taken into
account, it will be necessary to aban-
don cotton growing altogether; while
the decreased yield in the best dis
tricts of the cotton growing sections
renders it more important that other
crops should be grown. Such crops
as alfalfa, sorghum, Ka6r corn, and
cereals of various sorts should all re-
ceive attention, not only for silage,
pastures and winter forage generally,
but for green manures as well.
I. Studies and Experiments in Con-
nection with Methods for the Destruc-
tion and Control Of the Boil Weeyii
and Other Cotton Insects.-It would
seem highly important that the gov
ernment should take cognizance Of the
many devices which are being placed
on the market for combating the
weevil and other insects. This is
necessary, as much for positive as
negative results. Hundreds Of de-
vices and nostrums are offered to the
public, and people are led to spend
money for them. The government
should be in position to determine,
once for all, the value or nonvalue Of
such devices, and thus be able to de-
6nitely and positively advise on all
matters of this kind. Aside from
this, the government should take the
matter of mechanical devices under
thorough consideration, and should
encourage, by the utilization Of
mechanical experts, the construction
and use Of everything which gives
promise of practical value.
8. Studies Of Enemies Of the Insect
While the studies Of the enemies Of
the insect have had, so far, no practi-
cal result, there is nc doubt that this
work should be continued and every
thing in the nature Of enemies,
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