The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-02-06
BOIL WEEvlL psf
STILL DOING BUSINESS AT THE
OLD STAND.
The Department Of Agriculture Gives
Farmers Some Suggestions as to
Best Mode of Fighting 1t.

Farmers Some Suggestions as to
Best Mode of Fighting 1t.
Our cotton planters will be inter-
ested in the very latest discoveries of
the department of agriculture in its
investigations as to the most effec-
tive methods of combating the boil
weeyil. The department has recent
ly issued a bulletin on the subject,
giving the results of experiments,
conducted chiefly in Texas.
The bulletin goes much int. detail
regarding the experiments, and the
remedies employed to rid the field
of the weevil, but these may be
summed up in brief compass. The
following represents practically all
that is known about combating the
most deadly enemy OF the cotton
plant:
Destroy the vast majority of the
weevils in the fall By uprooting ant
burning the plants. This is the all
important step. 1t results in the
death of millions Of weevis. 1t in
sures a crop the following season.
Destroy many Of the weevils that
have survived the fire, and are found
especially along the hedgerows, fenc-
es and buildings, by cleaning out
such places thoroughly.
AS far as possible locate cotton
fields where damage will be avoid
ed, that is. far from timber, hedge
rows, seed-storage houses. and other
protection for hibernating weevils.
Prepare the land early and thor
oughly in order to obtain an early
crop. This means fall ploughins
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 natural 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 ex-
cellent practice.
Early planting Of an early-ma-
turing variety is insisted upon. and
the use of fertilizer to hasten the
maturity of the crop is advocated.
Early chopping to stand, and ear
ly and frequent cultivation are urg-
ed, although warning is given
against cultivating too close to the
rows or too deep.
If labor is sufficient, pick the first
infested squares, and place them in
a wire-screen cage, to that they can
not escape. The PARASITES will be
able to do so, and thus to continue
their work on the side of the farm
er.
Use an iron or wooden cross
bar to cause the infested squares to
fall early to the ground, so that
they will be exposed to the impor-
tant effect of heat and parasite.
Do not poison the leaf-worm un-
less its work begins at an abnormal
ly early date in the summer.
Do not buy special preparations
for the destruction of the weevil,
and here it is we'll to quote the bull
letin specifically: Disappointment
and loss is certain to follow. In
case Of doubt communicate at once
with the bureau of entomology or
with the entomologist of the State
experiment station.
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 department of ag-
riculture has expended vast sums in
a vain endeavor to find method of
ridding the cotton farmer of the
pest, but with comparatively slight
results. The four corners of the
earth have been searched by the
government ScleHllSlS lOF :'Oule III
sect which would destroy the Wee
vii, but in vain.
1t was thought a few years ago
that an ant which was found in Guat-
emala would do the work. This ant
appeared to be the natural enemy of
the pesky little weevil, and he slew
them wherever encountered. Colo
lies OF the ants were brought to
Texas and turned loose. It was ex-
pected that the valiant weevil-catch-
ers with so many distinguished eyes
upon them, would set to work and
eXterminate the breed Of weeyils so
| far as Texas was concerned.
But not so. The fierce enemy of
the weevil in Guatemala was the
weevils friend in Texas. The two
fraternized in manner which was
beautiful to behold. The late Pop
Merrick, para grapher OF the Wash
ngton Post. remarked that the ant
and weevil got together on har-
mony platform.