Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-02
BOIL WEENL PEST
WILL Be ROUTED
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
GIVES RESULTS OF EXPERT
MENTS IN TEXAS TO COMBAT
EVIL.
Rv Ralph Smith

WASHINGTON. d. c.. Jan. 29,-Cotton
planters east of the Mississippi river, as
we'll as those who cultivate cotton west
of the great river, will be interested in
the very latest discoveries of the de-
partment of agriculture in its investiga-
tons as to the most effective methods OF
combating the boil weevil. The depart
ment has recently issued bulletin on
the subject, giving the results Of exper-
iments conducted chiefly in Texas, to
which state the ravages of the past were
confined for long time, although 1t has
now crossed the Mississippi, and threat
ems to do as great damage in the south
east as it ever did in the southwest.
The bulletin, goes much into details re-
dies employed to rid the field of the
garding the experiments, and the RENE
weevil, but these may be summed up
in brief compass. The following repre-
sents practically all that is known about
combating the most deadly enemy OF the
cotton plant:
Destroy the vast majority of the vice.
wills in the fall by uprooting and burning
the plants. This is the all-important
step. 1t results in the death of millions
of weevils. 1t insures crop the fol-
lowing season.
Destroy many of the weevils that have
survived the fire, and are found especial
ly along the hedgerows, fences and
buildings, by clearing out such places
thoroughly.
as far as possible locate cotton fields
where damage will be avoided, that is.
far from timber, hedge rows, seed-storage
houses, and other protection for hibernat-
ing weevils.
Prepare the land early and thoroughly
in order to obtain an early crop This
means fall plOughing and winter working
of the land.
Provide wide rows, and plenty OF space.
between the rows and the plants in the
drill, for the assistance of the the nat
ural enemies of the weevil, which do more
against the pest than the farmer can
do by any known means. Check-rowing,
wherever practicable, is commended as
an excellent practice.
Early planting of an early maturing
variety is insisted upon, and the use OF
fertilizer to hasten the maturity of the
crop is advocated. Early chopping to
stand, and early and frequent cultivation
are urged, although warning is gwen
against cultivating too close TO the rows
or too deep.
If labor is sufficient pick the first in
tested squares, and place them in a wire
screen cage so that they cannot escape
The parasites will be able to do So and
thus to continue their work ON the side
of the farmer.
Use an iron or a wooden crossbar to
cause the infested squares to fall early to
the ground, so that they will be exposed
to the important effects of heat and par
! asites.
Do not poison the leaf-worm unless its
work begins at an abnormally early date
in the summer.
Do not buy special preparations for
the destruction of the weevil, and here IL
is well to quote the bulletin specifically:
Disappointment and loss Is certain to
follow. In case of doubt communicate a.
once with the bureau of entomology or
with the entomologist of the state ex-
pertinent station" f'
The boil weevil has destroyed many
millions of dollars worth of cotton and
Is still doing business at the old stand
in Texas and locating new ones. The de-
partment of agriculture has expended
other vast sums in a vain endeavor to
find method of Kidding the cotton farm
err of the pest, but with comparatively
slight results. The four corners of tbs
earth have been searched by the govern
ment scientists for some insect which
would destroy the weevil. but in vain.
1t was thought few years ago that an
ant which was found in Guatemala would
do the work. This ant appeared to be
the natural enemy OF the pesky little
weevil, and he slew them wherever en-
countered. Colonies of the ants were
brought to Texas and turned loose. 1t was
expected that the valiant weevll-catchers.
with so many distinguished eyes upon
them, would set to and exterminate the
breed Of weevils so far as Texas was
concerned
But not so. The fierce enemy of the
weevil in Guatemala was the weevirs
friend in Texas. The two fraternized in
manner which was beautiful to be-
hold. The late Pop Merrick, paragraph
er of the washington Post. remarked that
the ant and weevil got together on a
harmony platform"