The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-06-19
COTTON AFTER FLOOD
Relation Between Present Over.
flow and Insects.
Circumstances In Situation Which
Show That Late Planting May Be
Followed Without Risk of In
jury From Boil Weevil.


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The present overflow of the Nissis-
sippi river, which has inundated ex-
tensive areas of fertile farm lands,
makes it entirely impossible to plant
in many counties in Arkansas. Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana before about
May 20, and the planters desire to
know to what extent the crop of 1912
will be damaged by the boil weevil
If planting is delayed until that time,
as one Of the requisites in obtaining
q profitable crop Of cotton where boil
.weevil exists is early planting.
Secretary Wilson, of the U. 8. De-
partment Of Agriculture, says that the
very sreat Importance Of early plant
ing has been proven beyond any doubt
stances in the present situation, which
show that during the current season
late planting may be followed without
any great risk Of injury from the boil
weevil. It must be understood. how
ever, that this advice about late plant
ing should not be taken to minimize
to the slightest degree the Importance
Of early planting under normal con-
ditions. At this time late planting
can be practiced solely on account Of
the very exceptional conditions that
have prevailed.
During the season Of 1911 the boil
weevil was reduced to a very low
point in the larger part Of the terri
tory that has been flooded. Even
without floods. during 1912 in a large
portion Of the upper Mississippi delta
comparative immunity from boil wee
vii damage could have been expected.
The flood occurred before many OF
the weevils had emerged from their
alternating quarters and has there
fore still further reduced the number
of the boil weevils present. It must
not be supposed. however, that all Of
the weevils have been e~xterminated.
A certain number find winter quarters
in Spanish moss and under the bark
Of trees at some distance above the
high-water line and will be present to
damage the crop Of 1912. 1t should
also be understood that during the
season there will be a flight Of wee
wills into the flooded area; therefore
total immunity from damage cannot
be expected.
Only the quicker and better drained
soils should be planted in cotton and
the acreage should be small enough
to allow the labor at hand to give 1t
more than the usual attention. Plant
ers are aware Of the uncertainty in
the production of a crop on overflow
ed lands regardless Of the weevil.
Bearing this In mind the planter
should devote only enough land to
late cotton to retain his labor.
The department advises that as far
south as St. Joseph. La, cotton may
be planted this year with a reason
able expectation Of comparative free
dom from weevil injury If the fields
are prepared quickly after the subsid-
ing of the present overflow. In no
case, however, would 1t be advisable
W plduI COltOu dlICi doouS Vhoy So'
South Of st. Joseph in the overlooked
area 1t Is not advised that cotton be
planted as late as May on account Of
the presence Of large quantities OF
moss, in which the weevils are to be
found in numbers.
Planters in the overlooked area well
remember that outbreaks Of the buff
falo gnat occurred invariably during
the years of overfows Of the Mis-
sissippi river. The comparative alb
sence Of the buffalo gnats for many
year has undoubtedly been due to
the perfection of the levee system and
the prevention Of overlows. No def
mite prediction car be made. but the
history of the insect in this country
shows that it is more than likely that
1t will occur in dangerous numbers
throughout the flooded territory dur
ing this spring. The gnat problem
was important enough in the early
days because it resulted in the death
of thousands of plantation mules and
seemed to make the production OF
live stock impracticable. At this time
an outbreak would be Of eve greater
importance on account Of the recent
attention that has been given to anil
NAL %husbandry by planters In regions
which have been invaded by the boil
Weevil.
Investigations that were conducted
for several years showed that the lat
est occurrence Of the buffalo gnats
In numbers in the Mississippi delta
was May 10. There is no reason to
uppos that outbreaks will occur at
a later date during the present sea-
son. Consequently it appears to be
safe to restock the plantations as