New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-14
SURPRISING THE BOIL WEEVIL.

ECPIRESSIAG
The cotton growing States of this country
may regard with comparative indifference the
success or failure of the plan TO exterminate the
boil weevil by means Of ants. Although the
scheme is one Of the most recent to be consid-
cred. It is by no means the only resource avail
| able. DR.. S. A. Knapp, who has been in charge
of the government work in Louisiana and Texas,
is reported saying that the planters have 1t
in their power to suppress the pest by burning
the cotton stalks while the latter are yet green,
thus preventing survival through the winter.
The same doctrine is preached by Jefferson
Johnson, chairman of the board of farmers APP
pointed by the Texas Legislature TO study the
question. The board has considered a number
of plans, with a view to awarding $4,000 that
has been offered for a thoroughly satisfactory
one and it appears unwilling to bestow the prize
itself. Nevertheless, hearty commentator is
given to the idea of burning the stalks, and Mr..
Johnson goes far to advise the enactment
of law making compulsory the adoption of
the practice.
The country will await with curiosity, not to
say Impotence. the treatment which the Lone
Star State gives to the idea. 1t would be much
better to have the planters act voluntarily than
to force them to follow the suggestion of the
board. 1t would be necessary, of course for
them to plant varieties which will mature early,
and they might not find these on short notice
| 1t is possible that other embarrassments also
might attend a rigid adherence TO the rule
| However, if the loss from the weevil has been
| as serious as some Texans have represented, the
! planters who have suffered should be glad to
! utilize any expedient which promises relief. If
| they hesitate too long, perhaps the exercise of
| authority would do good. In the decisions of the
| individual planters and of the legislature of
Texas in regard to the proposition of Dr. Knapp
and Mr.. Johnson the country will find evidence
of the sincerity of the pessimists of the Lone
| Star State who predict that cotton crops in the
| 70 outsiders such talk seems unreasonable but
! if it has any excuse the planters should be eager
| to apply the most promising remedy they can
| find. Little trouble has been reported outside of
| Texas, but that State owes It to its neighbors
! as well as to itself to take practical measures
| TO check the spread of the weevil Moreover if
! these measures are employed promptly. Texas
will soon resume her old place as the largest
| producer Of cotton, and can compete on more
! favorable terms than at present with her rivals
! There are indications that many of the dele
! gates to the convention held in Shreveport YES
| terday were more troubled over the abundance
of cotton than the promise of future scarcity
| The ostenSible and perhaps the real object of
| the meeting was TO talk about the boil weevil
! but the question which was apparently upper
! most in some minds was how best to meet exist
| ing low prices. UneasinesS on that score is ex-
! cusabe, to be sure, but perhaps not rational
! The fancy prices which ruled for time last
! winter and spring in consequence of a real
shortage certainly ought not to prevail in a sea-
! son of plenty,