The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-15
Birds, Poison and Starvation are
 Recommended
ATTACK MADE ON EXPERTS
Colonel Marsden Says Their RecOm- mendatlons Are the Veriest Rot. Plan for Organization In the
 South Is Suggested.

Shreveport, December 14.-After pass ing resolutions commenting the aid the F~vernment experts in it's efforts to ex- terminate the boil weevil and urging the farmers of the infected districts of Tex as and Louisiana to burn all cotton stalks in the early fall. the national cotton con- vention adjourned late this evening.
 The resolutions feature what are gen. orally recognized to be the most success ful methods of combating the pest.
 Prior to the adoption of the resolu- tions, a spirited fight was precititated on the floor of the convention by the prof ering of a majority and minority re- port. The bone of ontention was a plank inserted by M. L. Johnson of Geor- gia to the effect that the only way to boil weevil is to prevent the planting of any cotton within the infected sections of Texas, or any other state or terri tory, wherein infected lands exist, for the period of one year.
 The minority report agreed to all rec- concentrations of the majority except the plank outlined above. which was finally voted down.
 The resolutions in part follow:
 Resolutions Are Adopted.
 That we extend our sincere thanks to the department of agriculture of the United States for the time.y assistance 1t has afforded in an effort to overcome the cotton boil weevil.
 That we thank the department of entomology. headed by Dr. W. D. Hun ter, which has accomplished excellent re- suits in educating the people regarding the nature and habits of the boil weevil and other insect pests, and for the well conceived plans and work of experi- mental stations along this line.
 ''That we desire this department to continue their work in the infected dis tricts, as well as to closely watch other sections which might become endangered by the boil weevil, and that we invoke a continuance of the national aid when ever and wherever it may be needed.
 That we heartily approve the methods already employed as being both scien- tific and practical. and that we emphasize the ideas of thorough preparation of the cotton lands, a reduction of acreage, the rotation of crops and intensive cultiva- tion, with most vigorous efforts to se- cure early maturing cotton for all the boll weevil districts.
 That the cotton planters throughout the infected districts are hereby urged to cooperate with the general govern ment In the plans for overcoming this devastating pest"
 It was also resolved.
 profacf Inean+fvoro,e Rirde
 'That it is the sense of this convention that the legislatures of the cotton states be memoralized to enact stringent laws for the protection of all insectivorous birds, their eggs and young.
 Whereas, The pernicious idea that the boil weevil Is not an unmixed evil in that it's ravages must of necessity in dimin- ishing the quantity of the crop harvested, raise the price of the staple and that therefore it's propagation should be en- eouraged by the farmers, is daily gain ing ground in many sections, particular ly during seasons of depression in prices, either through ignorance, or through the criminal selfishness which would strike down an industry; therefore, be it
 Resolved, That this convention en- dorses and recommends for aaoption by the legislatures of the cotton states a law relative to the importation of the boil weevil fin any of its stages of growth"
 It was further resolved that a vigorous campaign of public education should be inauguarted through the farmers and ped- agogical institutes of the several cotton states; the press, and through the public schools.
 "Resolved That 1t Is the sense of this national cotton convention that the early fall destruction of all the cotton stalks in the boil weevil infected area of Texas and Louisiana is an absolute necessity.
 Resolved, That we recommend to the legislative bodies of any infected area the urgent necessity of taking immediate steps under the supervision of proper authorities to burn the cotton stalks of next year systematically, and at once behind the pickers.
 Resolved That 1t is the sense of this convention that the use of paris green is, in the opinion of many, very useful, and we recommend the continuance of all poisons when advisable"
 A plan for organizing all the cotton growers of the south to combat the boil weevil was introduced by Oswald Wilson, statistical agent of the United States de- partment Of agriculture, stationed al Fort Worth, Texas, was received and in- corporated as part of the resolutions It is as follows
 "The result of the experience of all the scientists and practical farmers in the boil weevil area are up to the present time that cotton can be made even under boil weevil infestation if the farmers are properly organized.
 This means the adoption of what is known as the cultural method. In order that every farmer in the south may have the benefit of this cultural method, we recommend:
 Plan for Organization.
 "1 That the president of this conven- tion shall select five members who, with himself and the secretary, shall constitute the general executive committee.
 s'2 That the vice president of each state shall select six prominent men from each state who shall constitute a state execu- tive committee.
 '.3 The state executive committee shall organize each county in their respective states by appointing chairman, who fir turn will select an executive committed to assist him.
 A The county executive committee will enroll the names of all the cotton farm CTS of their county, sending the names tc the state executive committee, who will in turn report to the national executive committee.
 ..5. We recommend that each state raise A sufficient fund among the cotton farm ers merchants and bankers to carry or