The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-10-02
BOIL WEEvIL MENACE.
Ravages Assume More Alarming Pro,
Observation-Disclosures Depart
mont Displays Renewed .
Activity. I'LL.

W. W. Price in Columbia Record.
Washington, Sept. $3.50 alarming
have recent attacks Of the cotton boil
wecvil become in some parts of Texas,
Arkansas and Louisiana to the cot
ton crop Of this year that l.. 0. How
ard, head of the bureau of entomology,
department of agriculture, has decid-
ed to leave Washington October 2,
for those states, determined to remain
there until some definite steps are
taken for the eradication of the havoc
playing wcevil.
While Mr.. Howard has been aware
for some time that the weevil was at
tncking the cotton plant in some Of
the southwestern states with fearful
results, he did not, until day or two
ago have any idea of the damage that
had been done during the present
year. lie has been informed during
the last few days by Congressman
Wallace, of Lafayette, Columbia
county, Arkansas, that in one weeks
time recently when an actual count
was kept the wecvil Travelled Is miles
in one week. That convinced Mr..
Wallace that if the crop in his state
was to be saved steps should be talk
Ell at once in the matter. He then in
formed Mr. Howard at length of the
conditions existing in his state as
we'll rs in some parts Of Texas and
Louisiana. The result Of the CORES
pondence is that Mr.. Howard will
start to the southwest at the time in
dicated prepared to remain in the
enemy's territory until he has either
conquered them or until he has to
give up the fight.
When Mr. Howard arrives in Texas
his first stop will probably be at Dal-
las or Austin. There he will join
"the bool wcevil special "a train
that will be made up of planters who
desire to visit the infected districts.
The train will be in charge of Mr..
Howard. though the itinerary will
largely be in the hands Of the local
cotton planters and the railroad peo-
pie in the section visited The party
will consist Of Mr.. Howard, railroad
officials, cotton planters, and possibly
several men from the bureau of ento-
mology. department Of agriculture.
The officials of the roads in the in
fected territory have given every en-
couragement to the efforts that Mr..
Howard is making to determine upon
some effective means for the destruc
tion of the weevil.
After all infected districts in Texas
have been visited and talks had with
farmers interested in the extermina-
ti"n of the weevil. the train will then
be sent into Arkansas or Louisiana
and the same routine will probably be
followed.
"ThiS will be a campaign of ctluca-
tion and eNtcrmination.' Mr.. Howard
said today, "bccause we want to edu-
cate the farmers of Texas. Louisiana
and ArkanSas-the territory into
which We are going--in the science
of dealing with the pest that is doing
thousands of dollars damage to the
cotton growers Of the country annual
ly, and also because we propose to en-
terminate the weevil in every possible
way.'
Congressman Wallace is possibly
more alarmed than even Mr.. Howard
and his assistants over the rapidity
with which the weevil is travelling.
The calculations recently made by
him when it was found that the wee
vii was travelling at the rate of Is
miles per wcek-and in his direction
causes him to believe that unless
something is done in his locality at an
early date it will be only a short time
unit! the great cotton growing area
Of Texas and other southwestern
states will be given over entirely to
the ravagcs Of the wecvi.
| Mr.. Howard does not know how
Ion" he will be in the southwest,
though h" will probably remain there
until some results are secured.