New-York tribune., 1904-10-24
corTov GINS AND THE BOIL WEETIL.

COTTON GINS AND THE BOIL WEEVIL.
The publication Of Bulletin 200 by the De
partment OF Agriculture within the last few
days is particularly opportune. The document
is devoted TO Il possible method OF controlling
the cotton boil weevll, and the season when
it's recommendations can best be carried into
effect is now at it's height. 1t is too late 10
apply them 10 the whole crop of 1904, perhaps,
but there is no reason why extensive trial
OF the plan outlined by the department should
not be made during the next few weeks.
Enough might thus be learned 10 inspire more
general campaign next year-a cOnsummation
in which both the planter and buyer OF cotton
have a lively interest The depredations of the
weevi are confined to a portion of the cotton
belt. and some of the stories told regarding
them may have been exaggerated Neverthe-
less, it is eminently desirable TO prevent the
further spread of this mischief maker, and to
diminish its activity in the afflicted regions.
w d. Hunter, special agent of the depart
ment, shows that it is in the power of the gin
ners TO exercise a potent influence. cotton
gin is liable TO prove formidable disseminator
of the pest. The product of a plantation must
be brought to such an establishment for treat
ment before it is in marketable condition. and
there is a chance that cotton which is infested
and cotton which is clean may come to the
same gin. The seed from both would naturally
tion might thus spread from one lot TO the
other. Such seed as was reserved for the next
years planting. therefore, might easily carry
the weevil TO localities which had never be-
fore been invaded, and that is a possibility
against which Mr.. Hunter advises the ginners
to guard scrupulously.
Two measures are proposed for the execution
Of this policy. One is to store the seed in a
separate building from that in which unginned
t. u Tod fh1 @haR
pedient is to kill the weevil associated with
the seed before the latter is disposed of. One
form Of cleaner that Is employed in preparing
cotton for the gin will crush all the insects
which the fibre may contain, but that kind OF
apparatus is not used generally. The ordinary
gin will do little harm. The only remaining
method of attack seems to be fumigatlon.
After trying a variety Of agents for this pur-
pose, Mr.. Hunter became satisfied that the best
is carbon bisuIphide which is both cheap and
efficient. He declares that if the seed be put
into sacks holding 100 pounds, and be exposed
for forty hours to the vapor OF the blsuphide.
all life will be extinguished with certainty, at a
cost of from one to one and half cents sack.
The apparatus needed is apparently inexpen-
sive, and the operation is said to be harmless
to the person who conducts it.
These suggestions should receive the careful
consideration OF the owners of the gins. It Is
for their interest TO rid the country Of the
weevil. The larger and better the crop the
more business will the gins receive Moreover
if the cotton grower is able to exercise a choice
between two different establishments, he will
naturally bestOw his patronage on the one
which gives him the best assurance Of innOcu-
GUS seed. Eventually the shrewd and progress
sive planter may deem it wise to resort to fu-
migation himself If he cannot have it provided
at the gin, but the latter seems to be the best
place for conducting the process. When such
things are done or large scale the cost Is
greatly reduced.