New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-01

has been established for a number of years the
req ants and the fly larvae were eating the cot
ton pests in great numbers. In the localities
Where the Weevil has lately made IT'S appear
ance they did not modest them. 1t was. there
fore, apparent that the ants and the gruos with
the educated taste were the ones needed on the
experiment farm, so a large number OF then
We're collected from the neighborhood or waco
Wherc the WeeVtl had existed Tor long CHii7'
and were sent to Dallas The raYages OF the
weevl were promptly reduced nearly 90 per
cent.
The belief in the permanent effectiveness Of
the present campaign IS based upon the tacI
that the insects making the attack exist N
great numbers throughout the cotton belt Ihey
nave always existed there, and their presence
is an assured fact. Although the appetite Tor
the weevil IS noticed only where II mas been
present for a number of years 1t is held that II
may be developed simultaneously with the
spread Of the pest.
a map just issued by the department shows
that the territory infected by the weeVl mas
extended in all directions, this season max
ing the usual advance of about fifty miles. Thls
brings it directly up to the Mississippi River
and while il was at time thought that
stand might be made at that point and that its
advance might be stopped the idea has been
given up. Through Mississippi Alabama and
Georgia. which states have not yet been at
tackled, the experts believe the weevil will thrive
to greater extent than in Texas for there Is
more moisture and vegetation. and the develop
ment will be helped by the climatic conditions
The weevil, which is strict vegetarian. lays
It's eggs in the cotton squares. and the wound
lnfiicted in this process causes the bud or
square to blight and die, in most cases dropping
from the plant. The weeviI eggs are Matched.
and the larVER or worms that later develop into
weevs grow in the square and feed upon it.
AT certain stages of its development this larva
offers a most delicate and palatable mOrsel that
the ant and hy family have discovered is good
TO eat The ants and flies being exclusively
carnivorous do not injure the cotton
The last winter has been mild and dry. and
the department scientists fear that these ia
vorable conditions viii make the weeviI plenti-
full the coming season. The conditions
will produce many ants and weevil destroying
worms, and they will be taken into the newly
invaded territory. where there are experiment
farms. and every inducement will be given the
planters to introduce them privately Instruc-
ton will also be given as to the destruction Of
certain weeds upon which the ants and flies live.
and 1t is held that this will drive the insects
more extensively into the cotton field and cause
their adoption of the new food.
Tho region now included in the infected dis
trlct embraces one-third Of the cotton produce
ing lands OF the United States The weeyiI has
travelled altogether $50 miles since its appear
ance in 1892. or on an average OF 411z miles
each year. Through the various methods of
combating 1t the production OF the infested
country has been brought back to an approach
TO the normal. and in the ant and flies there Is
hope of permanent solution Of the problem OF
protection against the pests