Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1911-10-13


The writer has been questioned re-
peatedly concerning the rayages OF the
boll weevil in the southern part OF the
State The reported presence of the
pest in our adjoining county of Winston
served only to increase the number OF
inquiries as to how the weevil works,
how far he travels in year. how car
the Noxubee county farmer combat
him successfully and how much longer
can cotton be raised proftably. Ny
answer to any or all of these questions
will doubtless conflict with the opinions
of many cotton raisers in this section.
But when I say that I have found the
weevil in the county, perhaps these
farmers will listen more patiently to
the experience thst people in the infest-
ed section are having. ~
I had a letter last week from my
home at Braxtcn. Simpson county. stat
ing that one-third was very liberal
estimate of the cotton yield thaC would
be marketed at that place. 1t is not a
large cotton center. but representative
of the whole county. One-fourth wiz
be near correct estimate. Ginning was
practically over and most farmers had
turned their stock in the fields ten days
before the time of writing. 1t may be
objected that they did not know how to
farm under weevil conditions. Neither
do the farmers here, The recomen-
dations of experts seem to be reason
able and the theory If it could be thor
oughly practiced would, without doubt,
insure the profitable raising of cotton.
The practice of the theory, however,
presents a more difficult problem.
In this section l speak of the winter
preparation consisted Of burning OF
stumps, trash, stalks, and anything that
the weevil might use for their winter
quarters. II every place where the
weeyil hibernates were destroyed there
would be no problem, but every place
is not, however careful the farmer
may be. Late winter plowiag was
prac.iced and the thorough prepara-
tion.of the soil is recommended. The
seeds were planted early in wide rows,
Ampfe space was given between the
stalks and in the drills to allow al the
sunlight necessary. Nor were eifortsI
in rapid cultivation and the actual de-
struction Of the pest less assiduous.
Once a week the fields were.gone over
and all fallen squares picked up and
burned. Now if all punctnred squares
had been destroyed there would be no
problem, A great many squares never
fall and so the weevil is allowed to
hatch By the first week in August the
number of squares on the ground pre-
sented an impossible task, and the farm
er hoped only to save what had already
matured, for the weevil does not hesi-
tate to attack half-grown bolls.
As to the distance travelled each year
a more accurate knowledge can be OBJ
tanned from government statistics than
can give. My opinion is that the wee
vii will at last be found generally in
Noxubee county west of the M. & o.
R. II. next season, and perhaps over
more of its area.
Judging from the experience in Simp-
son county cotton can be grown profit
ably for two SEASONS if the seasons are
not too favorable for the spread of the
pest. The third year Of his work is sure
to be such as to prevent the raising. of
the staple at profit and just as sure
to cause actual loss.
How can we combat him in Noxubee!
NV answer is. diversification, at the
expense of the cotton acreage. because
especial emphasis should be placed on
the fact the Noxubee county farmers
allegiance to cotton, if continued under
boil weevil conditions, means serious
financial loss to every farmer, merchant
and banker in the county.
am not one of those. who timid and
fearful. cries in his heart There's a
lion outside" it is not an imaginary
enemy at our gates. feel rather as
as one who in facing of certainties
wishes to avoid danger by utilizing
the many resources around US.
JAS. G. CHANDLER.