Tensas gazette., 1912-04-26

The present overflow of the Mississippi
River, which has inundated extensive
areas of fertile farm lands, causes several
questions concerning injurious insects to
arise. The principal one of these ques-
tons relates to the boil weevil. 1t has
been shown by the Bureau OF Entomology
that one of tbs requisites in obtaining a
profitable crop of cotton where boil wee
vii exists is early planting. This practice
has been demonstrated TO such an extent
by the Department that it has become
common knowledge. The overflow will
make it impossible to plant in many
counties in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mis-
sissippi before the 20th of May. The
planters desire TO know to what extent
the crop of 1912 will be damaged if plant
ing is deferred until such time as it be-
comes possible to prepare the fields.
The very great Importance OF early
planting has been proven beyond any
doubt whatever. There are circumstances
in the present situation, however, that
show that during the current season late
planting may be followed without any
great risk of injury from the boil weevil.
II must be understood that the advice
about late planting now given should not
be taken to minimize to the slightest de-
gree the Importance of early planting
under normal conditions. At this tiee
late planting, as will be explained, can
be practiced solely on account of the very
exceptional conditions that have pre-
vailed. 1t is fortunate that this advice
can be given because if cotton could not
be planted on some of the areas that have
been flooded there would be an exodus
of labor that would be exceedingly disas-
trous to. the owners of plantation prop
critics.
During the season of 1911 the boil wee
vii was reduced to very low point in
the large part of the territory that has
been flooded. This reduction in numbers
was due to a number of causes, among
them the cold of the winter of 1901
the dryness of portion of the growing
season of 1911, the defoliation by the cot
ton caterpillar and the very severe win
ter of 19lI-12. Even without floods dur
ing 1912 in large portion of the uppe
Mississippi Delta comparative immunit.
from boil weevil damage could have beer
expected. The food occurred before man.
of the weevils had emerged from thei
alternating quarters; consequently yer.
!. few had an opportunity to escape tn
water by fight. The overflow has there
fore still further reduced the numbers o
the boil weevils present.
1t must not be supposed that all tn
weevils have been exterminated. A Ger
tain number find winter quarters in Span
, ish moss and under the bark of the tree
at some distance above high water line
Naturally a few of the weevils whicl
found shelter in such places will be pres
ent to damage the crop Of 1912; therefor
! total immunity from damage cannot b
expected. 1t should also be understoo
that during the season there will be
flight Of weevils into the flooded era.
One of the several objections TO lat
planting as a means of sverting damag
by the boil weevil in a normal seaso
has been the impossibility Of obtainin
y concerted action by the planters over an
: considerable area Of land. In the pres
ent case natural conditions have prevent
ed the preparation of the soil and a
will be late. In short, during the preser
year there viii be forced uniform LAT
planting of cotton over large area i