The Hattiesburg news., 1910-06-28
A LARGE ACREAGE
DEVOTED TO CORN
J. p. Hearst, Special Agent Of The
Agricultural Department, Says Crops
Around Hattiesburg Are Better
Than Those of Texas.


Forrest County of the United States
Department of Agriculture, has just
returned from a visit to the boil
weevil territory of Mississippi and
Texas, where he went in company
with experts from the agricultural de
partment for the purpose of studying
the nature and habits of the pest.
The itinerary of the party carried
them through some of the very best
agricultural sections of the Mississip'
pi delta and Texas, which have al
ways been recognized as the best to
be found, but it may be interesting to
citizens of Hattiesburg and the "cut-
over" land region to learn, that, ac-
cording to Mr. Hearst, the crops of the
piney woods land surpass any seen by
him on this trip.
'It would astonish anyone not ia
miliar with the conditions in the coun-
farms of Forrest county and see what
excellent condition they are in," said
Mr.. Hearst to News reporter. ''In
fact, I myself, although a practical
farmer, did not anticipate such splen-
did results within such a short time.
"Our prospects for corn are un-
doubtedly as good as could be desired,
and unless very unfavorable conditions
should develop within the next few
days, Forrest county will produce the
largest crop Of corn in her history.
Not only is there a large crop, but
the quality of the grain is far superior
to that usually grown here and dem
onstrates what the application Of
scientific principles will do for the
farmer.
"The Farmers Cooperative Demon
stration Work, of which have charge
in this county, promises to be of in
estimable benefit to this section, as
those who have Joined in the work
have obtained such splendid results
that it is very probable government
methods will be employed by large
number of farmers next season, and,
with favorable conditions we may ex-
pect banner crop next year"
Mr.. Hearst stated that although the
boil weevil had made it's appearance
in some parts of the county, the in
sects had not reached here in suf
ficient numbers to cause uneasinessH
He believes that If farmers will be
careful, watch their fields closely,
pick up and burn all punctured
squares and destroy as many of the
insects as possible, the weevil will
not effect the cotton crop of the coun-
ty to a great extent.
Mr.. Hearst has seen recently num-
Der of farmers engaged In the CO.
operative work and has instructed
them how to proceed in the fight
against the weevil; to those whom he
has not seen personally he has writ
ten, and by this means hopes to pre-
vent the ravages Of the insect this
season. Following are some sugges-
lions made by Mr. Hearst:
Begin at once to pick the weevils
off and burn all punctured squares.
The destruction of one weevil or one
ounctured square means the, destruc-
ion of hundreds of weevils, as each
female weevil produces about 140 in 4
rom twenty-one to 80 days. n
Keep the cotton worked rapidly
md shallow. Never plow 1t deep.
lenaTa over one and one-half or tVo
n 1ep, and this, when possib11
e-harrow or heel sweep.
Instructions, if carried OK
earst thinks will have th&
81 hating the progress .e'
III and will make it posi- =
buce 4 normal crop Of cottd W 1Ss