Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1904-06-21

theonIy crop that will be secured. We
mentioned above, the fact that the
| squares, containing weevil eggs, fall
4 from the plants soon after these eggs
hatch, Now, if these fallen squares
be kept gathered up from the grouno
and burned, the succeeding broods OF
the weevil will be reduced IN num-
bers. During midsummer the sun
| Is Outlines hot enough to kill the lar
\ vac IN these fallen squares as they
lie OF the ground, provided they are
not Shaded by the cotton plants. For
this reason the rows should be planted
we'll apart and plants far apart in the
4 rows. The rows should also run east
and west instead of north and south
in order that as much direct sunlight
as possible may reach the ground
about the cotton plants.
This method of planting should be
adopted by every cotton planter, even
though no weevils are present, for
thEse methods also reduce the dam
age done by the boil worm and cotton
caterpillar, insects which appear every
year in greater or less numbers.
We do not here propose to discuss
n detail the various ways Of combat
ng the weevil. as the pest has not
let been found in Georgia. The above
) given as showing in what direction
oppressive measures must be taken
"hen this pest ultimately appears in
Georgia.
The bon weevil in its natural spread
~ fight, probably could not reach
Georgia for several years, but unfor-
| tunately the insect may be at any
line instroduced in shipments of cot
ON seed or baled hay, or even baled
cotton, from the infested districts of
Texas or Louisiana. A regulation
(having the force of 1Gw) is already in
effect, which prohibits the shipment
INTO Georgia of cotton seed from Tex
rs or Lo dsiana, without its having
'SVA SASASu6A4S 1uu41SdlSus
Every farmer in Georgia should
closely watch his cotton during the
growing season, and whenever he finds
any new or unusual insect upon his
cotton. should send samples Of 1t to
the State EntomoIogist Atlanta, Ca,
for determination. The latter party
will. at all times, take pleasure In
answering inquiries of this kind and
always free Of charge. If the first
occurrence OF the weevil can be de-
tected as soon as it appears and before
it has chance to spread over any
considerable area, it may be posi-
BILE by drastic measures to stamp it
out right there and prevent losses of
many thousands of dollars. Once it
obtains a good start, however, there
will be NO such thing as determination.
Because remedial measures have been
mentioned above, the reader should
not conclude that the weevil can be
circumvented or that as good crops
can be made when it is present. No
matter what measures may be en-
ployed or remedies used, the cotton
crop is certain to be severely cut
down by the weevil. Then. too.
many remedial measures are expen-
sive and their cost must be deducted
from the profits of the crop.
We know full well that the first
appearance of the boil weeviI is like
ly to be around cotton mills, oil mills,
lumber camps and along newly con-
structeG lines Of railway, because it
is at such places that most important
agricultural products from Texas are
used, If a competent man-or two
men thoroughly familiar with the
boil weevil, could be employed to an
nually examine the cotton fields in
these localities, it is very probable
that the first appearance of the weeyil
would be promptly detected and meas
uyes could be taken for DISCRIMINATING
it, or at least severely checking it's
spread. Such measures would mean
the saving of thousands of dollars to
the cotton growers of the State, and
money so invested would be the best
insurance which Georgia could pur-
chase for the future of her cotton crop
Unfortunately, no funds are at pres
ent available for such work, but the
State Board of Entomology stands
ready to undertake this work as soon
as the people, through their legisla-
ture, deem it expedient to make the
necessary appropriation therefor,
Wilmon Newell, State EntomoIoeist.