St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1910-07-16
COTTON FINDS SAFETY
IN ARSENATE OF E
Said by Farmers Who Have Tried the Boil Weevil
E~xterminator to Be the Solution of the Pest
Question.

That powdered arsenate of lead is
to save the cotton of Louisiana from
the raVages of the boil weevil, many
planters who have used the recently
manufactured compound are firmly
convinced, and some of the figures
furnished by Dr.. Newell, of the State
Crop Pest Commission figures gath
cred as the result of careful expert
ments-tend very emphatically to
bear out this conviction, says the
Picayuue.
Planters all over Louisiana and in
the neighboring states are generally
interested in Dr.. NeWelPs experiment
with the lead, and if all that is
claimed for the compound is true,
there is no reason why King Cotton
should not return from exile and as
cend his throne again.
j.. S. Tremoulet, of New 0rleans,
manager of the local branch Of a
large chemical company, the first to
manufacture the compound, has
studied closely the use Of the lead
during the past few seasons, and
from the facts pointed out in DR..
NeWelPs report, MIR. Tremoulet sees
the complete determination Of the
Weevil through the use of the lead.
Many of the planters, sufferers in
the past from the weevil pest, who
have been watching the experiments,
while thoroughly interested in the
results obtained, are not altogether
clear as to the cost Of lead per acre,
and the correct manner of treating
the cotton that is to be saved.
Mr.. Tremoulet, in an interview
given out several days ago, taking
his figures from DR.. NewelPs report,
answers both Of these questions. In
the first instance the
COST OF POWDERED ARSENATE
OF LEAD AND LABOR
for using it, where FIVE applications
were made, is shown in the following
table, with certain comparisons that
tend to establish the economy of the
experiment.
Where 1916 pounds of poison
were used 1926
Where 26.5 pounds Of poison
we're used 6.88
Where ITO pounds of poison
were used 4.54
AS compared with nonpoisoned
cotton Of the same variety, planted
III the same quality Of soil, same cul-
tivation, fertilization and drainage, d
net profit per acre, after ~deducting
cost of poison and labor for applying
same, in favor Of poisoned cotton
showed:
Where 1916 pounds Of poison
we're used $23.54
Where 26.5 pounds Of poison
were used 22.32
Where ITO pounds Of poison
we're used 100
N. B.-The value Of the increased
production in these experiments was
computed at 10 cents per pound for
lint and SIS per ton for seed.
A total Of all experiments made
showed a net increase in production
Of II per cent.
This cost is exclusive, Of course, Of
the dust gun with which the powder
is to be applied. The dust machine,
complete in every detail, costs $3.50.
The dust gun has to do with the sec
ond question, for the dust gun serves
as the most effective means in treat
ing the cotton after the most ap-
proved and effective method.
DR.. Newell, in his report, is very
full and comprehensive as to the
method Of applying the poison. He
states that in the cage experiments
III 1908 it was shown that a heavier
mortality occurred among the wee
wills when the powdered ~arsenate of
lead was applied with a strong cur
rent of air than when It was simply
busted on the plant. The reason for
these varying results is easy to find.
The weevil feeds principally in the
squares and in the leaves comprising
the tender bud at the top Of the CEN
trail stem or shoot, and at the end Of
each fruit limb. The poison busted
over the plants from sacks, as was
the custom when Paris Green was
used, merely settles on the outside
of the buds ard on the shucks sur
bounding The squares, failing utterly
81 penetrate between the small leaves
of The terminal bud, not even getting
onto the exterior surface of the
square, where the weevils would find
it when feeding.
Or. Newell thinks that it is next to
useless to attempt the destruction
with the busting from a bag system,
and he reaches his conclusions from
the experience gained in fel3 expert