The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-09-22
THE BOIL
To the Farmers and the Business and Professional Men OF
Lafayette, Town and Parish:

loss to the farming and business interests throughout
Lafayette parish this year. His presence in such large numbers
not suspected, and so his work of devastation has come as a
great shock to us all.
There is no Disgusting the fact that the invasion of our parish
by the destructive boil weeyil presents a most serious condition to
our people. The great seriousness of the subject will be understood
more and more during the next few months by all classes of our
people, especially those who are in debt. The merchant will be
one of the greatest sufferers with his payments to meet on a large
stock OF merchandise that will refuse to move because the farmers
and those dependent on them will have no money to spend. The
lawyer and the doctor will be made to fully realize that the boil
weevil is not a respecter of persons or classes. There will be
clients for the lawyer and patients for the doctor as usual. but
there will be much difficulty experienced in the collection of fees
for professional services. The baker. the butcher, the carpenter
and the blacksmith. the hotel and livery stable man. all will share
the same fate.
This year the boil weevil invaded only certain sections of the
parish, but next year he will infest the entire parish, and unless
there be an intelligent and vigorous campaign waged against the
boil weevil by the people beginning right now, the consequences
are going to be very calamltons.
This is a very dark picture to draw, bat it is not a fanciful
one. However, this picture has a BRIGHT side to it as well as a
dark one, and We should not feel hopeessly discouraged. On the
contrary, if the farmers and merchants and all other classes of our
people will but join hands in the fight against the DOLL weeviI, We
not only can conquer him, but by the very fact OF dong 5 20 W e VIII
introduce improved methods and greatly increased interest in our
farming operations that will result in the greatest benefit to ali
the people. 1t is purposed to carry out this very important work
throught the instrumentallity Of the Farmers Protective Associa
ton now in course of organization in LAFAYETTE Parish. Acting
under the guidance of government agents and others having expert
knowledge of the subject gained by practical experience the Far
mers' Protective Association will encourage and persuade the
farmers of the parish to adopt and apply the means and measures
known to be effective in successfully combating the boil weevil
Whilst the primary object of the association is to fight the boil
weevi, other work of equal Importance will also receive the atten.
ton of the association, such as the thorough drainage of the farm
lands and Investigation and rotation Of crops, and the raising OF
hogs and live stock.
Those of our people who are giving this subject the most
serious thought feel confident that the much dreaded boil weevl
in our midst can be turned to a good account, and that by an intell
gent and vigorous direction Of effort the great danger threatening our
country can be converted into q veritable blessing in the end.
This has been the experience in other localities invaded by
the hl Weevl where the people have risen the demands of the
occasion.
BUT this calls for work, lots of work and continuous work,
and . work of such great magnitude that it can not be done sue
.cessfully by just a few men, no matter how willing and indus
-trious and patriotic they may be. Besides it would be altogether
unjust and unfair to saddle on a small number of citizens an under
taking which has for its object the beneftting of the whole people,
The Farmers Protective Association is an organization
whose membership is intended to include the whole people and the
success Of its work will be in proportion as the association will
receive the moral and financial support Of the people. The boil
-weevl is such q destructive and powerful foe that he cannot
be dealt with effectively without systematic and persistent opposi.
ton. It is impossible to conduct an effective and successful fight
or campaign without an organization of the forces necessary for
the purpose. The plan of operation Of the farmers Protective
Association in the boil weevil fight is simple and very practical and
will accomplish great good with the aid of farmers. merchants aud
other interested persons. The work of the association will be
under the immediate direction OF a general committee composed
Of the following citizens and representing every section of the
parish, and selected because OF their ability and Willingness to|
promote the success of the association
Is. ward-caeophas chasson, Jos. garie, F. s. Brousssrd.
,. Dugas, Louis Anselet, Alonzol 9th Ward-Paul Martin. s. ]
Bonpaq 1,,. Gsstsye Duhon, Arthur It'll ward-Perre Landry, Horace
srd wsrd-risrre aerae. Edmond Bsads. Hugh u wa IGa''''0' "aia'e
M : RIh r: ~ Dec'oue = =" M0o'on' 9Th Ward-Leo Judice, John Whit
4h wa,S-s A DSplsi., J, g nesas and cypnsa Monte. :"