The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-03-01

end OF the SnOut OF the WeevIl IS pro-
rided with small, claw-like jaws, with
which it actually eats hole, rather
than bores it, as is the popular notion.
When preparing to feed on any en-
posed portions OF the plant the weerll
nearly always uses its sharp nandlbles
at the end OF the Snout to rasp the
outer bark. so as to enable it to get
hold of the ragged ends, which it then
deliberately pulls off and lays to one
side. 1t then eats the tender portions
beneath, a process which may be COM
pared to the peeling OF an apple be-
fore eating it. They are not at loss
;nr food ii all the young squares are
gone, for the fullgrown boil is by no
means despised by them when they
feel the need OF food. 1t is practical
~ certain that this variety OF weevil
will not eat anything but cotton, but
Tor that plant its appetite is abnormal.
When ready to deposit an egg the
female weevil eats the customary hole
into a square, form or boil, as the
same thing is called at the different
stages OF its development. and hollows
it out somewhat larger at the inner
el,d to fit the egg. She then turns
round. protrudes her evipositor. or
egg guide. into this hole and lays the
egg. She then seals the hole with a
drop OF glue and goes about her buSi-
ness. This sealing process prevents
the entrance OF any Insect and en-
cludes the rain aid dew In two or
three days the weevil grub is hatch
ed. and at once opens up his campaign
by eating everything in his reach.
Only one egg is ever rurposely lad
in. square. Observations thus TAR
made BY the scientists Of the Depart
uent OF Agriculture are not yet con-
elusive. but It is generally believed
that a distinct hibernating brood is
produced later in the season in those
sections where frost kills the cotton.
Early in the spring. when the weevilS
come from their winter quarters. they
are voracious eaters, and feed readily
on any Young cotton they can tlnd. As
soon as cold weather begins the adult
weevilS seek winter quarters. crawling
into cracks OF fences, under the barks
OF trees and in the cotton gins. among
trash. in fact, everywhere and any
where that they can find comforta-
Bile place in which to pass the time
until the new crop is ready for their.
appetites. From early spring until
fall they are busy at their nefarlous
work. and keep the cotton grower in
state OF perennial anxiety over his
crop.
Up to this time it has been found
that frost is the most efhcacious agent
that could be used against them, but
this is wholly unfeasi5le, and the en-
perilnents OF the Department Of -Agrl-
culture with the S25o,ooo that have
been placed at its disposal by Con-
creSS will be along lines that are pos
sible OF continuing when once the
right agent is found. They are grad
ually spreading over the country. the
high winds thar recently visited :hc
lower cotton belt ni the SOuthWt:;
being responsible Tor some of the III
grafton, their uwn efforts accountl"E
ior the rest. Fire is the agent that "p
to this time has been found most ri-
fective. 1t is utilized by consuming
the affected squares as they fall from
the plant, ;hus destroying all OF tina:
generation Of weevils and torti;yirg
the grower against the :HroadS OF Z
new one in the spring. 1t is by CO.
operation with the farmers OF Texas
and Louisiana that the department
hopes to win the fight against the pest.
and ii even partial success attends
their efforts the quarter OF million
dollars will have been well expended.
and they can with safety call on the
treasury OF the United States for any
thing additional that may be required
10 complete their work.