The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-02

Would Have Been Immense.
Washington, July 30.-Considerabl BILE
opposition has been encountered by the
proposition of Senator Smith of South
Carolina, to stop the advance of the
boil weevil by establishing a cotton
less zone from the Gulf of Mexico
northward through the State of Ala
bama to the Tennessee River, but the
idea is undoubtedly a big one and is
arousing increasing interest as it is
discussed.
The mail of Senator Smith is alone
sufficient to prove that his suggestion
has made a profound impression. Not
only is he receiving many letters Of
commentator from cotton growers
and cotton factors in the States now
uninfected by the weevil, but he has
in his files communications from
farmers in the region which the weevil
has overrun, saying that they wish the
heroic defence" Of the broad cotton
less barrier had been applied in time
to save their own territory from the
terrible scourge.
AS matter Of fact, the establish
ment Of cottonless zone so or 100
miles wide along the Texas border was
suggested years ago by the South Car
olina Senator, when the invasion OF
the Mexican insect was imminent and
before 1t had actually occurred. There
is nobody in this country today who
will contend that it would not have
been blessing II the zone had been
created. The cost of the cotton usual
ly grown in the area Of the zone would
have been as nothing to the loss which
has been sustained since the weevil
made his way across the border and
began an advance which the most
strenuous efforts of the scientists Of
the department of agriculture have
not for an instant been able to stop,
however the extent of the insects raw
ages may have been reduced. The his
tory OF the weevil in the cotton coun-
try thus far demonstrates that unless
the experts Of the government can
find some new and more effective
method OF combating the pest than
they have discovered up to this time.
the progress Of the boil weevil through
the southeast Is certain within the
next few years.
The natural tendency of the news
paper reader is to think of Senator
Smiths suggested zone as a station
ary affair On the contrary, his idea
is to carry the zone, steadily west
ward, and thus drive the weevil by
degrees back into the country whence
1t came. When the zone reached the
Mexican border, it would be main
tanned permanently, of course, In or"
der that there should be no repetition
of the costly experience which farm
ers have been having for the past
twelve or thirteen years.
A statement of the value Of the cot
ton which would be cut out OF the
crop by the establishment of q zone
100 miles wide from the Tennessee
River to the Gulf of Mexico has been
going the rounds.
1t is an estimate made by officials
Of the department Of agriculture, and
puts the amount at $10S, 100000. This
Is mistaken by some for the cost of
establishing the cOttonless zone itself.
This would probably be about $2O,-
0OO, 900.
1t stands to reason that a large per-
centage Of the $108,000. 600 represent
ed by the cotton which could be
grown In the cottOnless area would
be at once offset by the products of
the diversified farming which would
be practiced in the zone with the aid
of agricultural department experts.
1t Is altogether possible if not prob
able, that the results of the enforced
diversification OF crops in the 100
mile cottonless zone would be SO
agreeable to the farmers therein that
they would gladly refrain from going
back to cotton after they had been
released by the pushing OF the zone to
the westward in line with Senator
Smiths plan.
The senator is not at all surprised
or discouraged by the opposition
which his idea nas encountered, He
declares that no proposition of such
magnitude ever failed to meet with
vigorous antagonism and that full
and free discussion of its merits is
| altogether desirable.
The WalkovcrS, a baseball team
that Is winning an enviabie reputa-