The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-28
ANTS THAT KNOCK
BOIL WEEVIL OUT
FOUND IN GUATEMALA.
WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE cor
TON STATES.

variety of object Lesson for Slug
CARDS Discovered in Central
America That Has an Aversion to
Boil WeeviI That Makes That OF
the Texas Cotton Planter Look
Like FraternnI AhectiOn-This Ant
Dotes on killing WeeviI-Is Its
Chief Indulgence.
Washington, May 27.-The Depart
ment of Agriculture to-day announced
that an ant has been found in Guate-
mala that is an effective enemy of the
boil weevil. 1t will be introduced into
the cotton states.
The greatest significance is attached
10 the discovery, which was made by
0. f. Cook, the botanist in charge of
tropical agricultural Investigations of
the bureau of plant industry. Cabled
instructions have been sent to him to
report Immediately to the department
what assistance he needs in the way
of men and money.
During trip in Central America last
year Mr.. Cook discovered a cotton
grown by Indians, which gave evidence
Of being immune from the attacks Of
the boil weegil, and on orders from the
department he later began an investi-
cation in certain points in Guatemala
and Mexico.
Mr.. Cooks Investigations have been
in more or less accessible regions in the
province of Alta Vera Paz, Guatemala.
The weevils are present there, but the
Investigations show that they are I'M
questionably kept in check by the
presence of an active enemy in the
shape of a large, reddish brown ant,
which is attracted to the cotton by the
food which it secures from sets of
floral hectares.
A Terror to the WeeviI.
Mr.. Cooks Investigations show that
these ants spread themselves over
fields of cotton, four or five to a, plant,
and that they are constantly engaged
in the destruction of the boil weevil.
Mr.. Cook reports that the adroit and
business-like way in which the weevil
is disposed of seems to prove beyond
question that the ant is, by structure
and by instinct. especially equipped for
the work of destruction and is, in short
the true explanation of the fact that
the cotton is successfully cultivated by
the Indians of Alta Vera Paz in spite
Of the presence of the boil weevil.
After a conference with DR.. B. T.
Galloway, chief of the Bureau of Plant
Industry DR.. L. o. Howard, chief of
the chronological division, and other
experts, Secretary Wilson to-day had
a special bulletin on the subject print
ed. Among other things this bulletin
says:
Bulletin on the Ants.
The ants, like the Indians, probably
came from the dry open interior pla-
teau region, where the center of the
aboriginal cotton industry of Gaute-
mala is still located. To establish the
fact of such an origin for this useful
insect would greatly increase the prob
ability of its successful introduction
into the United States. The acclima-
tia ton of a thoroughly tropical ami
NAL requiring continuous heat and
humidity could scarcely be hoped for.
If. however. the cotton ant can sur
vive a long dry season and, perhaps,
Guatemala, it might easily learn to
hibernate in Texas, as has the boil
weevil.
The ant is much better able to pro-
tect itself against frost since it ex-
cavates a nest three feet or more into
the ground. Several have survived con-
fnement for twelve days without food,
and seem now to be thriving on diet
of cane juice.
ITO take worker ants to Texas will
be. evidently, a very easy matter, but