New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1904-12-24
BOIL WEEVl. CONVENTION


ing taken up the problem of over
production and low prices for the
great Southern staple, devoted its
last session to the weevil proper,
and laid down n line Of policy to be
pursued by the Southern farmers,
from which the best results are ex-
pected The boil weeyil is really
the more important problem, al.
though low price for cotton,
pressing as it did Immediately upon
the farmers, made itself most felt.
This evil, however, is merely tenn
porary, the cure for which is sim
pie and practical--a reduction in
acreage whereas, the boil weevil
is a permanent and serious danger,
likely to continue for years, if not
forever. Even if the weevil does
not cnt down the crop to small pro
portions, it will certainly greatly
increase the cost Of production by
requiring most expensive system
of cultivation, the use Of better
seed and of more fertilizers and
more careful and thorough work
ing. 1t was perhaps natural that
the convention should rush forward
to consider the immediate danger
to the cotton industry, even if it is
only temporary; but that disposed
of, it was brought to the greater
and permanent danger, the boil
weevil
In the resolutions adopted the
convention was eminently conser-
vative and practical. 1t considered
all the plans placed before it and
approved of every reasonable pro
position that would or might have
the effect of reducing the danger.
1t provided for a thorough or
ganization of those engaged in cot
ton growing, so as to interest all
in the work. There is to be a gen
eral executive committee of five,
state COMMITTEES of six and county
COMMITTEES. In this way all liter
ature bearing upon the subject of
cotton and the boil weevil can be
distributed so as to reach every pro-
ducer. The fullest cooperation is
desired, and the federal government
is asked to continue its good work
in this connection.
The convention saw little chance
of stopping the progress of the boil
weevil, and devoted itself mainly
to considering how cotton can be
raised when the boil weevil shall
have extended itself oven the entire
South. The proposition not tt
plant cotton in the weevil infected
country, proposed in the majority
resolutions, was voted down as im
practicable, as, indeed, Louisiana
has found after trying the expert
ment On a small scale.
The convention held to the belle
that it was possible TO raise cottol
in spite of the weevil, If scientific
and practical methods were adopted
for keeping the insect under con
troll. What these methods are wer
stated by DR.. Knapp some day
ago, and were restated by the con
vention briefly but strongly. !
recommended n reduction in th
acreage in cotton, rotation in crop
and extensive cultivation Poison
were advised in certain cases, bu
the Marston theory was not accept
ed in full The burning of cotto
stalks was strongly advocated a
being one of the first essentials t
holding the weevil under contro
To that end it was advised that off
GERS be appointed in cach connt
and duly authorized to see that til
cotton stalks are burned and wit
them the weevils.
The convention also adopted tn
doctrine of the Audubon Societ,
laid down so strongly by Mi
Frank Miller, its president, in h
address, that the presence of th
boil weevil and other insects i
snch large numbers is due to Il
destruction of the birds; and I'll
legislatures of the several Souther
states were asked to pass the nece
sary laws to protect our inscctive
Gus birds.
These resolutions recommer
themselves as being practical an
common sense; and if they al
carried ont will have a splendi
| effect in holding the weevils
check. 1t may be that time wi
| disclose an absolute cure for Il
weevil as effective as paris green
with the. cotton worms; but Il
| farmers need not and should u
wait for this discovery. Let the
| put into operation at once tho
| measures recommended by the co
II vention and the United States ID