The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11


 10-4 mixture 1o per cent phosphoric acid and 4 per cent potash). This gives the peas a vigorous growth of root and foliage, consequently moro nodules. by means of which the atmospheric nitrogen is used. In this rotation the next crop is corn, and the following year the crop is cotton.
 By this method of crop rotation the de- pleted soils of Georgia are being brought up to higher state of fertility, and these lands are being put on more profit paying basis.
 It would be well for the farmers of Alabama to follow these methods and pay more attention to the growing of this leguminous plant to build up the depleted soils of the state. c. ". MORRILL, Griffin, Ga., July g., 1909. Boil Weevil and Its Determination. To the Editor of The Age-Herald. It is estimated that within few years the boil weevil will infest every cotton field within the United States, and the writer wishes to make some suggestions, which he thinks practical, to exterminate this pest at practically no cost to the present producers, and at the expense of the cotton consumers of the world. It is conceded that the size of the cotton crop of the United States controls the price of raw cotton. I notice that some parties who claim to forecast results are predicting that if a crop of only f0,5oo,000 bales should be produced the present year the growing crop will be worth something like 25 cents per pound. If the cotton farmers and landowners of the cotton .fo tl fIaA md decide positively that there would not be stalk of cotton grown or allowed to be grown during the year 1910 what would be the minimum price of the present growing crop? It is not my desire to make a prediction but feel safe in as- stunning that one-half of the crop would sell for as much money as the whole crop would be worth under normal con- ditions.
 The producers could sell one-ha1f, set tie outstanding debts and keep the bal ance to be sold as 1t became necessary to get expense money or for other pur- poses.
 Our brother farmers who have not yet kbeen afflicted with the boil weevil ought to feel as much interested nthe exterm- ination of the pest as those of us who have already been afflicted with its ravages. Their time will come as surely as the sun rises and sets, and 1t would be much better for them to help eradicate 1t before It's spread reaches them.
 The best results that can be counted upon after the boil weevil gets its foot hold is 75 per cent of previous results, with the added cost of about % per cent more to produce it. This yield is more often the exception, the average result being less than 50 per cent and frequently nothing whatever. It was proposed at the boil weevil con- vention held in Shreveport about the year 1903 that no cotton be planted in the infested area for one year; thereby starv- ing the weevil out. Dr. Hunter, the United States entomologist, stated at this convention that if the weevil had no cotton squares into which to deposit its egg for one year that 1t could not propo- gate it's kind and that the age limit of the weevll is less than 12 months. He also stated that it would be necessary to prevent all volunteer and sepa cot ton from growing
 The proposition stirred up a hornets nest in the convention, the Texas dele gation. making a vigorous protest and finally killing it.
 The trouble with localizing such plan is that 1t causes selfish interest to come to the surface, one section being afraid that the other will get the ad- vantage But when the movement Is II equal footing.
 Some may contend that if we eradicate the bug from the United States 1t will spread again from Mexico. This could be prevented by prohibiting the planting of cotton on the Texas border adjoining Mexico, 50 miles wide or wider if neces- sary.
 induced to join in the movement with us and desst from planting cotton the same year with us.
 Is there one individual farmer who would refuse to stop raising a certain commodity upon his lands for one year if it was proposed to him to plant his farm down in something else and for the crop he has on hand he will be paid as much money as he would get for the two crops should he fail to accept the offer? Now then if in addition to this he be assured that by not planting this com modity certain destructive pest will be exterminated and he will after that year be able to resume planting and culti- vating thls special commodity with se- curity, pleasure and profit. how much more unreasonable would 1t be for him to refuse the proposition?
 No doubt that plenty of obstructionists to the consummation of this plan would spring up if movement should be made to carry It out. Then there are plenty of weak-kneed fellows who come under the "can't be done' list, but 1t is the writer's belief that if a strong movement should be started 1t will take awful strong opposition to stop 1t.
 It would be waste of energy to try to organize and perfect such plan after the growing crop Is out of the hands of the producers They are then helpless. But If the organization Is perfected while they have their years production in their possession they will receive the benefit of the enhanced value of their crops and be independent.
 They would get the value of two years production and possibly more out of one crop and can plant their acreage in any thing they wish except cotton. As to the plan of organization, I would suggest that Joint convention be called of the land owners and farmers of the cotton produc- ing states by the officers of the South ern Cotton association and the Farmers union. At this convention state commit tees could be appointed to look after the organization of the different states and they in turn to arrange the organization or the different counties, the county offi- cers to organize the precincts or wards, etc.
 Landed proprietors are the proper ones to lead such movement and use their influence with the others in interest Rental values are certainly reduced to d very low basis when the boil weevil takes charge of cotton farm. It is not then 8 question of revenue; but to get some one to cultivate 1t upon almost any terms
 After the proposed orga anization is per- fected the governors of the several states could be induced to call their respective