The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-18
BOIL WEEv|L FOUND
AT THREE PLACES
Infests Six, Possibly Ten, Coun-
ties This Season
WILL FIGHT PEST HARD
shows Record to BE Proud OF.
Bids Received for Dredg-
ing River

Montgomery September T.-(Special.)-
w. E. Kinds, state entomologist, reports
to Commissioner of Agriculture ]. A.
Wilkinson that he and w. D. Pierce, a
government department man, found boil
weevil at three places in Mobile county,
two near Chronicle and one not far from
the city of Mobile, near Pritchard. In
the first two cases the bugs had been
there about a week. in the third not
more than two days, as only feeding
punctures were found.
1t appears that the line OF infestation
enters Alabama near the Mobile-W
ington county line, bringing the better
part OF Mobile into the zone infested. No
trace of the bugs was found near
Daphne, though effort was made. With
regard to the future Mr.. Kinds says:
From present indications we may expect
that the weevil will infest six, possibly
bama this season."
Mr.. Kinds and Mr.. Pierce interested the
business men of Mobile and great activity
is now on foot to bring about crop d.
versification and in every way to head
off the pest.
The letter follows:
Montgomery. September II, 1910.
]. A. wilkinson, Commissioner Of Agri-
culture and Industries, State Capitol.
My Dear Sir-According to your in
structions l went to Mobile on the night
of the 18th and met Mr. w. D. Pierce of
the bureau of entomology on. the morn
ing of the 18th. Mr. Pierce has previous
ly made Investigations at various points
In Mobile county and had found the
weevil present in two fields at Citron-
ellie, with Indications that they had been
established there about one week. Sep
TENDER IA found one adult weevil in a
field of cotton at Pritchard, about three
miles out near Mobile city. at the cotton
mills. This weevil had been in the field
apparently about two days, as only feed
ing punctures were found. Mr.. Pierce
found no trace of the weevil at Daphne,
close to the bay. and we had no oppor-
tunlty to make further Investigations.
These records show that the line of in
festation now enters Alabama near the
Mobile Washington counties line. In
Guiding Chronicle and Mobile city. This
would place between two-thirds and
three-f ourths of Mobile county within the
line OF infestation. though very little cot
ton Is grown in this section.
| After learning these facts, Mr.. Pierce
and decided that 1t would be advisable
| to place the information before the lead
| ing business men of the city of Mobile
and secure their cooperation In further
| ing our campaign of education for i'm
proved agricultural practices, with which
to combat the weevil. visited the Cotton
exchange and talked with the secretary
Mr.. Boiling, and the president. Mr.. Wat
tiers. We invited representatives of the
Cotton exchange, the Mobile Commercial
club and the Progressive league, also two
| or three bank presidents and commercial
men to meet with US at the Battle house
On the morning, after talking the situa'
| ton over with these men, who appeared
very much interested, 1t was decided tc
call a meeting Of the special executive
bodies Of the various commercial organi'