The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1911-07-21
THE STATE WINNING
BOIL WEEV|l FIGHT
wssthsf cendIlleNo Have Seen
fsvofsbls 10 essdlcaiIon
OF cotteN Pests.
NATURES THREE FACTORS
ASSIST N e0OO WORK
Official Bulletin Issued BY fnto-
moIoslst Harmed FOR fur.
thsr Guidance Of Grow.
ers OF The Staple.

hVtViHink w press tlItulhI lssueu
by II W. Harmed. eLtmmoloaist no the
Mississippi Agricultural and Mechao.
ical college, tho light sgainst the boil
weevil In the state II being won by
the growers, tho pests being In fewer
numbers than at any time since the
Investment OF the state.
The press circular issued from the
Farmers Institute department Of the
Agricultural and Mechanical college
Is as follows, under date Of July 1:
During the past m00th, the Asri-
cultural and Mechanical college in
co operation With the United States
bureau OF entomology has been inves-
tigating the boil weevi situation In
Mississippi. 1t has been found that
there are fewer boil weevils in the
infested territory at thts time than at
any time since the advent OF this In
sect into the state. Weather condi.
tons adverse to the boil weevil have
caused this great reduction In their
numbers. There are at least three
factors that have assisted in this good
work.
First: During last October there
was an early freeze that caught large
numbers Of weevils at work in the
fields.
second: early last January over q
large portion OF the infested territory
the temperature was very low, be-
tween degrees and IA degrees r.. on
several days. This is the coldest
weather that the weevils have had to
pass through since their advent into
the state.
: Third: During May and June, 1911,
there was continued period OF dry,
hot weather.
The three weather conditions that
are known to be Of the greatest aid
10 the control OF the boil weevil are
long periods Of hot, dry weather dur
ing the growing season; exceedingly
cold winters, and early fall freezes.
All three OF these conditions have
come to our aid 10 Mississippi during
the past nine months. Nature has
been OF great assistance to US 10 the
control OF the boil weevi this year,
but 1t is necessary for us to do our
part II the boil weeyll injury is to be
kept to the minimum.
WHAT TO DO NOW.
At this season OF the year (midsum.
mer) two practices should be followed.
First-the cotton should be kept In q
high state OF cultivation. The soil
should not De allowed to become hard,
but continuous shallow cultivation
should keep the surface covered with
q fine dust mulch. Second--all punc-
tured squares should be picked up
and destroyed.
When eggs are laid In the cotton
squares, the squares turn yellow and
flare open and usually fall to the
lgrodnd. All Of these should be
picked up, hut all yellow or unhealthy
looking squares on the plants should
also be gathered. II all these squares
are destroyed by burning, the eggs
and grubs or young weevIls within
them will be killed, and therefore
will not become weeylls to lay their
eggs 10 other squares later In the sea.
son. AS each weevil that develops
now may become the ancestor OF q
great number Of weeviIs later on. 1t
Is very essential that as many as pos.
sible be destroyed early 10 the season.
All Of The adult weevils that can
be found should be destroyed at once,
These weeviIs are now laying theII
eggs and destroying cotton squares
Each weevil that Is killed means thu
saving OF . large number Of cottor
bulIs. The adult weevils will be mos
often found within, or around th,
| outside Of the open blossoms; ant
they may be found around the squarel
and bolIs and on the young teode
parts OF the plants.
CONTINUOUS WOkK.
How often should the squares an,
| weevils be picked up?
II Will pay 70 20 over the crop jus
% often - you can do so. Until v
have more Information On this sut