The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-12-21

i /
RAvAeEs OF THE WEEvIL.
The effects OF the rayages Of th'
boil weevil in Texas may be summar
izsd as follows:
Il, It has during the past fV'
years caused a loss Of at least $50,
900 900.
q. It has increased decidedly tht
area required to produce a bale of cot
ton.
::'s. It has practically destroyed tht
credit Of the small farmer, who has
been in the habit Of depending upcr
cotton, although farmers WHO have
diversified their crops are still able tt
obtain necessary credit.
y. 1t has had the effect OF driving
large numbers Of negroes from the cot.
ton lands OF the State. Negroes lend
hemselves poorly to the notifications
in the system OF producing the staple,
which are necessary on account OF the
ravages Of the pest. Intensive cul'
tivation, to which negroes can be
brought only with great difficulty, is
one of the great essentials in prodnc-
ing crop.
IS. It has forced q diverSihcation
CT crops, and in this way is considered
by many parties as oenehcient IN
fu.rce. While this may be the ultl
mate result OF the work Of the boil
wesvil, the depression that comes
from the changes necessary before a
onplete system Of diyersitica0ion
may be followed is apparent to all
parties who have investigated the
matter in Texas.
st will be noted that cotton pro-
duction IN Texas has decreased an.
nualiy with the exception OF one
year, I900) since the invasion OF the
pest, although the reduction has not,
on the whole, been very decided. This
absence OF a great falling Of in pro
duction is due to two principal FAC.
tors-(D that there has been con-
siderable increase in acreage, and ~
following the suggestion OF the bureau
OF entomology OF the United States
department. OF agriculture and their
own experience, the planters OF Texas
are becoming familiar with the pro-
per system that must be followed to
mitigate the damage By the pest.
TIE system recommended By the de-
2artmen5 OF agriculture, as the re-
suit OF several years study OF the hab-
it's CT tee pest, and experiments upon
a large scale ln various parts OF Texas
is now generally Anow as the cultural
saystem.' The greatest danger to be
feared from further invasion OF the
cotton belt is that this system, which
has been found to work. well in Texas,
may be less applicable elsewhere.
Many conditions of climate and plan.
tation practice show that there will
be increased difficulty when the pest
reaches the alluvial lands, which pro
cuce the bulk OF the crop in the east
ern portion Of the belt. This EN-.
phasizes the continuation OF the ex-
perimental work Of the department
in regions that are about to become
invaded"
MUST BE DESTROYED.
The Convention adjourned Wednes
day, after being in session Shree days.
Before adjournment the following
resolutions were adopted:
That we extend our sincere thanks
to the department OF agriculture Of
the United State for the timely assist
snce it has sfforded in an effort to
oy. rcone the GOTTEN boil weevil.
That we thank the department. Of
entomology, headed by Dr.. ". D
Hunter, which has accom- plished ex-
cellent results 10 educating the people
regarding the nature and habits OF
The bell weevil and other insect pests
and for the well conceived plans &rd
work Of experimentation along this
line.
That we heartily approve the
methods already employed a. being
Goth scientific and practical, and chat
we emphasize the idea OF thorough
preparation Of the cotton lands, re,
ducsion Of acreage, the rotation Of
crops AID intensive cultivation, WITH,
most vigorous Efforts to secure early
maturing cotton for all the DOLL wee
vii districts.
That the cotton planters through.
out the infected districts sre hereby
urged to cooperate with the general
government in the plans for overcom-
ing this Devastating pest.
That it is the serse Of the Con
yention that the Legislatures Ct the
cotton States be memoralized to en-.
act stringent laws for the protection
Of all insectivorous birds, their eggs
AID young"
It was further resolved that Wig.
orcus campaign cf public educatiar
should be inauguraled through the
fsImers and pedagogical institutes Of
tie sew raj cotton States, the press
and through the public schools.
Resolved, That it is the sense 0.
! 6GlS National COTTON CGnVonC Cl0Q Gn2l
5he early fail destruction OF all the
cotton stalks in the boll weevil in
fected areas cf Texa and Louisiana j!
an absolute necessity.
Resolved, That we commend K
the legislative bodies Of any Infected
area, the urgent necessity OF taking
Immediate steps undar TIE supervision
u proper aut;.orities to burn the cot
soD stalks Of next year s,ssemattcall.
and at once behind the piokers. "
FARMERS TO ORGANIZE.
A plan for organizing all the cottol
growers OF the Sou.h to conbst th'
boil weeVil was introduced by OSWALD
Wilson, statistical agent OF the Unit
cd States department of agriculture
stationed at Fort Worth, Texas, wa
received aud incorporated as 8 part G
the resolutions. It is as follows:
1.-The result OF the experience Of 81