Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-01-21
SAYS FEAR OF BOIL
 WEEVIL IS COSTLY
Dr. knapp Declares Greatest Destruc- ton is Due t0 "Beaten-in- Advance
 Altitude of Planters.

Memphis. Ian. 20.-Boll ~eevil' have cost the 'nited States untold hun dreds of thoueands of dollars in the destruction of the cotton crops. Du' most of it is to be charged agalns' the bluff that the insect puts up or rather. the fear that it's approach inspires.
 According to Dr. Seaman \. Knapp of the Department of Agriculture, WhC says the average cotton planter was defeated before he ever began tt fight the pest. Of all the drawbacks that confront the cotton planter. Dr Knapp is convinced that pessimisu is the worst He said so plainly ant emphatically here today in an address on the wcevil and the evils that follow in it's train.
 Farmers Lose Their Nerve.
 'eThe first and most serious o these," he said, 'is the wave of dis couragement and pessimism in ad vance of the weevil. Many homes but mistaken men affirm in advance of the weevil that cotton cannot bt successfully made where the weeW appears. Immediately the bankers and the merchants withhold credit. La bor is compelled to leave. The far mers do half work. and frequently abandon a portion of their crop. Thls frequently results in a loss of 20 pen cent before the Wcevil has done any damage.
 This 'beaten-in-advance attitude Dr. Knapp went on to say, resulted 1T the humiliating surrender of planters and their throwing up the sponge in the second year, with the result that the Weevil is permitted q free territory in which to rayage and mul tiply and the crop falls to 25 per cen of it's average.
 Much of this loss is failure t plant and to cultivate" he said, WitI an earnestness that impressed his au dience. T will give you numerous cX amples in proof of what I say b1 quoting reliable government figures and instances in Texas and Louis iana.'
 Cites Many Instances.
 The speaker then submitted q mass of statistical information touching or conditions in many counties in Tex as and a number of the parishes O Louisiana. He insisted that from 3( to 40 per cent of the decline in pro duction i'll the second year of the wee vii was due entirely to discourage ment and the consequent inability tt obtain advances from the bankers. Al of this depression. Dr. Knapp declar ed. was charged to the boil weevil while 1t rightfully should be charged against the planters who succumbe( to opposition and threatened inva sion.''
 Following up his arraignment of tn, planters themselves. Dr. Knapp furn ished even rules for the guidance o those who would fight the pest sue. cessfully. They were as follows:
 1. Early destruction of the stalks
 Better Drainage of Soil.
 2. There must be better drainage of the soil so there will be a goOt stand and the crop can be worked soon after rains.
 3. There must be excellent prep. aration of the soil for planting. Plant, early as the season will permit anf be safe.
 1. Seed of an early maturing va riety must be used; one that puts out its fruit limbs low on the stalk and fruits heavily. Rows wider apar, than usual. The seed also must be o the best quality
 5. Cultivation should be intensive
 6. Do not lay by the cotton as usu al, but continue to cultivate until th, polls begin to open. Cotton is thus made all the time. If the rules ot producing cotton are followed a goof crop can be made.
 For Diyersifying of Crops.
 In addition to giving rules for tht light on the boil weevil and the pro auction of good cotton crops in tn 1ace of all emergencies. Dr. Knapr advised his hearers not to forget tha cotton was far from the only cror worth while cultivating He de ciared the plantation should produce all the food necessary for men ant livestock, and that. in addition. tn, other crops should pay most of tn, running eXpenscs of tho plantation
 Concludn@, he said. the delta Iand were tho most valuable on the conti nent Thev were irtrireie.I1v wort, S2oo aH @cre, e-or 'f tho ho1I weevi wore ." inch 'oea e7-er evcrv foot n fho