The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1910-09-17

the most effective means towards
this end should be adopted. If the
turn plow and the hoe are the most
effective, why then we unhesitat-
ingly recommend their use. We
have seen long ago that if field Of
cotton be allowed to become grassy.
the effect is to make tia field of
late cotton, and field of late cot
ton too frequently means under boil
weevil conditions no cotton at all.
We are very explicit on this point
and mean simply this: whenever
possible use cultivators and prac-
tlce shallow, frequent cultivation,
but if the grass threatens to take
the cotton, get the grass out first
of all and by whatever means are
the most effective.
AS to picking squares and wee
Wis you know yourself this spring
we have strenuously and incessantly
advocated this practice, and as you
say | think that without it our
chances for a cotton crop would
have at present been very much
poorer than they are. 1t is true
that DIR. Hunter, who is strictly an
chronological and not an agricul-
tural man, is rather against this
practice, but we have the concrete
experiences of thousands of farm
ers in Texas, Louisiana and Missis-
sippi in support of our contention
that it is one of the most profitable
practices that can be followed in
boil weevil control. You will note
in my letter to Mr.. Humphreys
that I also touch on this point and
state also just as you state in your
letter why on account of climatic
conditions it is far more necessary
in Mississippi than in Texas
So far on all of these points, |
believe we are in thorough accrod
with you. Now as to the one
point. that is. the best method of
stalk destruction in the fall, upon
which we somewhat differ.
Note also in my letter to Mr..
Humphreys why the destruction of
cotton stalks has not been essential
in Texas and why it is not very
widely practiced. We have again
here as you see a difference in
climatic conditions. Id perhaps
nine years out of ten in Texas ma
ture thoroughly destroys the farm
ers' cotton stalks before frost in
the fall. that is, the ground be-
comes so thoroughly dry as to kill
all young growth. Under such
conditions it is, of course, not only
useless but positively injurious to
destroy these stalks. Coming east.
ward into Louisiana we find differ
ent conditions. There the soil is
richer and moister during the fall
months. and in probably three years
out of four the cotton continues to
put on succulent growth until
frost comes. Such conditions have
made it almost essential if profita-
BILE crops are to be raised that the
cotton stalks be destroyed. The
conditions that prevail with refer
ence to soil and moisture in Louis
lana also prevail more or less in
Mississippi, and we feel that what
practices have been most profitable
in that state will also be most
profitable with US.
In this connection want to refer
you to the bulletin issued by the
Louisiana Crop Pest Commission
Baton Rouge, La relative to the
hibernation tests carried out al
Mansura, La, last year with a view
to ascertaining what percentage Of
weevils would survive the winter,
their food supply having been cut
off at given time in the fall,
Destroying the cotton stalks in the
fall, OF course, amounts to the
same thing as cutting off their food
supply. since they can exist or
nothing except cotton. The results
gotten in these experiments as sci
forth in this bulletin are SO con
elusive and positive in favor of the
early destruction of stalks that
would be very glad if you will
write to the above address for a
copy of this circular.
So far believe we are still
agreed on all of our main points
that is, you are agreed that the
/ fall destruction of stalks is a very
essential practice, so the only
difference between US now is as tt
the method by which this shall be