The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-06-20
Minute Interviews
Crop Prospects.

Crop Prospects.
J.W. ELsToN "Crop prospects, unfortunately
for our country, suggests the cotton crop only
Conditions during the past spring and the presence
OF the boil weevil have awakened the spirit of
dlversihcaton with most of the farmers which will
raise us to level OF better living and greater in
dependence. This, however, does not afford much
consolation to the average supply merchant, who
has made :'easy money! in the advancing busi-
ness. am of opinion that the present cotton
crop, in view of the prospective good prices will
about equal, in value, the crops of 1915 and
1889. Corn and other forage crops will be very
short and must be used sparingly to tide us over
another season to laying by time.
j. A. BUMGARDNER: The cotton crop is now
more than a month late, having been replanted
from two to five times. Some farmers have powed
up cotton to plant corn. There are but few boil
weevils on young cotton just up but they are to be
found in great numbers on the older plant. The
weevils put in their appearance and began damag-
ing growing crops two months earlier than last
year. This is what will so greatly reduce the yield.
AS to acreage, there doubt at this time 10 per
cent less than was planted last year. The corn
crop, taken WHOLE is not good. That planted in
-SO1S3 Ne~Ny ooiA OSSiA
stiff land is good. Much late corn was planted, but
1t is yet too soon to say what be expected of it,
think there will be an average good crop. There
is about 10 per cent more acreage than was planted
last year. All other crops-melons, cane, gar
dens, etc.-are poor. = Labor is scarce.
GERvAIs GARRETT: So much has been said and
written about the boil weevil and Paris green that
the subject is getting considerably worn and yet
is the subject that weighs most heavily on the
minds OF the farmers, a good many of whom are
applying it in various ways, hoping to do some
good. - Now, believe that if Paris green could
be applied intelligently, in other words, put on
just right, it would destroy great many weevils
and not injure the cotton plant and consequently,
increase the yield. But the question uppermost in
my mind is, Can this be done ON large plantation
with such labor as we have to apply it? = find on
cotton great many ants, and am pleased to say
where they are most numerous there are Weevils;
but where there are no ants you are sure to find
weevils. - We all know that blackbirds frequently
destroy the caterpillar to such an extent that
poisoning is not necessary. Therefore, is there not
some hope that nature will provide remedy to ex-
terminate the boil weeyil, practically so and we
make at least half crop under favorable weather
conditions this season?
R. E. WYcHE: AS regards present crop pros
poets l can say but little. / have no doubt been
more closely confined than many of your readers,
who, of course, better able to write something
on the subject for your Minute Interviews col
umn. My own crops do not promise much of a
yield, and especially do l refer to cotton. The
crops of others that have seen are better-much
better. am glad to notice this, for if can't have
good crop I at least want my neighbors to have
the best possible. | would like to see good yield
OF both cotton and corn all over old Bossier but it
cannot be expected now. = Boil weevils are doing
great damage. They are to be found nearly every
where, if one knows how to look for them. | hope
to see the talent OF parish turned in the direc
ton OF Kidding us of these little pests. 1t is about
our only chance to ever again have the paying
cotton crops OF past years. if to believe the
reports that come to from sections that have for
years been infested with boil weevils. There is
plenty of inventive genius among the young men
of our parish and l think we will have to rely on
them inventing some appliance with which to fight
the weevil. How about it, boys?
UNCLE MOSES: Crap prospecs you axe erbout,
Ell? Well, I'll tell yer, boss, they is slim. You
see them million vines all shrivveled up out thar,
don't you? Well, amt that powerful discouragin?
You tmem sleepy lookin later vines in the corn
der NV that patch to yer right? They amt goin to
make nothn. Me an ole Ring wuz hopin that the
possum crap would be bountiful SO we could still
live, but signs is not promsin. Looks like things
in genally is gin us. Corn cotton? Oh! vas,
sir, | got some NV dem craps bot Nv em-but
thought you wanted me to Tighten yer erbout pros
PEGS Nv principal leadin craps Corn an cotton
ell do very well fer folkes but you better go
axe desc Red Ribber planters erbout SIGH. Moses
don't fool way none too much time wild EN-.