The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-16


After passing resolutions commend
ing the aid of the government In ef-
forts to exterminate the boil weevil.
and urging the farmers of the infect
ed districts in Texas and Louisiana
to burn all cotton stalks in the early
fall. the National Cotton Growers
Convention adjourned late this after
noon.
Prior to the adoption OF the reso-
luton, spirited fight was precipi-
tated on the floor Of the convention
by the proffering of a majority and
minority report. The bone OF corr
tention was a plank inserted by NJ l..
johnson, of Georgia, to the effect that
the only way to destroy and prevent
the spread of the boil weevir is to pre-
vent the planting OF any cotton with
in the infected sections Of Texas. or
any other state or territory, wherein
| infected lands exist for the period of
one year.
The minority report agreed TO all
recommendations of the majority ex-
cept this plank which was finally
voted down.
The resolutions in part follow:
THAT we extend our sincere thanks
| to the department of agriculture OF
| the United States for the timely as
/ sistance it has afforded in an effort
to overcome the cotton boil weeviI.
That, We thank the department of
entomology. headed by DR.. w. D.
Hunter which has accomplished ex-
cellent results in educating the people
regarding the nature and habits of
| the boil weevil and other insect pests
and for the well conceived plans and
work of experimentation along this
| line.
That we heartily approve the
methods already employed as being
both scientific and practical, and that
we emphasize the idea OF thorough
preparation Of the cotton lands. a re-
| duction of acreage, the rotation of
crops and intensive cultivation with
most vigorous efforts to secure early
| maturing cotton for all the boil wee
vii districts.
THAT the cotton planters through
.ut the infected districts are hereby
urged to cooperate with the general
government in the plans for overcom-
| ing this devastating pest.
THAT it is the sense Of this con-
vention that the legislatures of the
cotton states be memorialized to en-
act stringent laws for the protection
of all insectivorous birds their eggs
and young"
/ II was further resolved that a Wig
orOus campaign of public education
should be inaugurated through the
farmers and pedagogical Institutes OF
the several cotton states. the press
and through the public schools.
Resolved, That 1t is the sense Of
this national cotton convention that
| the early fall destruction OF all the
cotton stalks in the boil weevil infect
ed areas of Texas and Louisiana is
an absolute necessity.
Resolved, That We commend TO the
| legislative bodies OF any Infected area
the urgent necessity of taking i'm
mediate steps under the supervision
OF proper authorities to burn the cot
| ton stalks of next year Systematically
and at once behind the pickers."
4 plan for organizing all the cot
TON growers of the south to combat
the boil weevil introduced by Oswalk
Wilson. statistical agent OF tn -,r:tad
States in the department OF agricul-
ture stationed at Fort Worth, Texas
was received and Incorporated As a
part of the resolution. II Is as fol-
lows:
The result of the experience of all
the scientists and practical farmers
IN the boil weevil area up 70 the pres
ent time is that cotton can be made
even under boil weevtI infestation IL
the farmers are properly organized
This means the adoption of what
- known as the cultural method In
order that every farmer IN the south
may have the benefit OF this cultural
method, we recommend:
THAT. the president Of this con-
sention shall select five members,
who. with himself and the secretary