The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-09-06

cHy tno, presluent OF the Cotton
Manufacturers association OF South
Carolina. has made request for a con-
ference with the state en;omologist.
representatives Of the Southern rail-
way and Commissioner Watson OF
che Department OF Agriculture to dis
cuss the question OF cotton quaran-
tine. which. In his opinion. threatens
to seriously hamper the textile in
dustry In this state. A letter from
Mr.. smyth was received at the State
Department OF Agriculture yesterday.
An order was recently issued by
A. +. Conradi. State entomologist,
stating that after September 10 the
Gotten quarantine law with reference
TO the shipment OF cotton from boil
weevii districts To this State will be
rigiSly enforced. The date for the
conference has not been announced.
"Not only" says President Smythe.
"the mills on finer yarns using staple
cotton would feel the hardship of the
enforcement OF this law In the dras-
tic manner proposed. but also all
the mills in South Carolina. which buy
100000 TO 100000 bales OF cotton
! from other States. would be seriously
handicapped I'm their operation and
the purchase OF cotton.
The following In the letter OF Com
missioner Watson In part to Presi-
dent smythe.
II realize that this is a serious sit
uation. not alone from your viewpoint
but to the grower of cotton In our
own State. for our cotton crop Is the
money crop OF our people. exceeding
In value everything else. and. Of
course. Is entitled to a maximum OF
protection against the introduction OF
the boil weevil.
I'm this particular matter absolute
~ no authority whatever is Vested In
the commissioner OF agriculture. and
while would be glad to attend the
conference. such - your propose 1t
could only be for the purpose of
posting myself "a to conditions and
obtaining data as to the effect OF this
law on present economic conditions
and possible dangers to our cotton
growing industry.
Under the law the enforcement
Of these quarantine provisions Is In
the hands OF the State board Of ento-
mology and the State entomoioglst.
and the law Is very plainly written.
Under its provisions have recently
noted n circular over the signature of
State Entomologist A. y. Conra Al.
Clemson College. which reads as fol.
lows:
Owing to the habits OF the Mex
lean cotton boil weevil. II Is not be-
heved that there Is great risk taken
In shipping clean. compressed cotton
bales from weevll infested territory
during the months OF July and Aug
ust For this reason the Office OF
the State entomologist did not feel
warranted In operating the auaran-
tine law as rigidly during these
months. All baled cotton destined
for points In South Carolina is be-
ing examined at Augusta and Green
Vile. and every reasonable precaution
is being observed In preventing ship
ments In the state that may contain
In cOncealed form any styles OF the
weevil.
" When the alternating season OF
the weevil begins the risk OF trans
porting the pest through commerce
is increased. Furthermore. the east
ern boundary OF weevil territory is
advancing eastward. facilitating the
weevii transportation from weevll
territory In this State.
beginning on September 10.
therefore. this Office will enforce the
State quarantine law. according TO
the letter. and after that date no
baied cotton can be delivered In the
State IL the shipment originated In
weevll territory. Cotton mills must
arrange to get their supply elsewhere
and not take any risk OF Introducing
the boil weevil into this State by
shipment OF baied cotton from weevil
territory. All baled cotton from boil
weevil territory consigned to this
State must reach Augusta or Green
vile before September 10. After
that date such shipments are contra
band.
The above ruling refers only To
clean tightly compressed cotton
bales. other articles provided for In
the acts OF 1904 and 1907 are con
traband at all times. and viii be- con