The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-26

out of cotton for possibly three wears.
East of the proposed quarantine line
there lies an area of 112,029 square miles
of territory in which cotton can be pro-
duced. The average yield per acre de8-
l91D for this territory has been 3,051, ,1ts
bales 600 pounds, of which 32,092 bales
600 pounds) was Sea Island cotton. The
value of the latter was $4,224,235 The
value of the remaining or upland cotton,
valued at l1.9 cents per pound, was s179-
345,554. The value of the equivalent
amount of seed produced would be S33, 943 =
52- Thus the annual value of the pro-
ducers of the trop to be protected is $217
5l42l1. Past history of the boil weevil has
shown that If this area is not protected its
production will be lowered year by year
until possibly so per cent of the crop is
taken, and sometimes as high as 70 per
cent.
Given Matter Much Study
1T is only fair to state that DIR. Gallo
way. the Assistant Secretary of Agricul-
ture, in transmitting this report to me,
stated that the facts and figures given by
this expert We're to be accepted as the
experts own, and not as representing the
department. At the same time I am will
ing to say that consider this expert
just as capable a man as Dr. Galloway
and good deal more practical when it
comes to considering the real problems
OF the cotton farmers of the south He
has given the matter a great deal OF
study and collected these figures with a
great deal of care and after long search.
[ accept his figures as reasonably accu-
rate.
I'm addition I have secured facts from
other sources as to the damage done by
the boil weevil.
Mr.. FL. E. Blakeslee, commissioner of
agriculture of the state of Mississippi,
writes; The weevil last year certainly
damaged the crop to the extent of half a
million bales. You can figure that out as
to what the actual damage in dollars and
cents would be. Now, the crop this year
is In splendid condition all over the state
and II 1t were not for the weevil believe
that we would make a million and half
bales. However, | think we will do we'll
to get a million bales. This gives you
an idea of what the weevil does for a
regular cotton producing country and
particularly one in which negroes and
mules make the cotton. Land values have
deprecated fully 40 per cent where the
WeeVll has been as long a two or three
years. Experience has shown, however,
that this depreciation is, temporary, and
of course in four or five years 1t begins
to stiffen up and go back to previous
prices
Mr.. T. o. Plunkett land and industrial
agent of the Southern railway, writes me-
l must say that where the boil weevil has
done Its geratest damage, in Adams coun-
ty, Mississippi, for intance, there has been
a gerat decrease in the value of farm
lands. | have been told by owners of
property in that county that they own
lands which few years ago were valued
at $50 to $40 per acre, but today they cam
not be sold for SO per acre.
Situation Really Alarming
Il have qouted these facts and figures
to show that the situation is really alarm
ing If something is not done it will be
only few years until the entire cotton
belt will be infested with the boil weevil,
and the experience of the past warrants
that this will mean greatly reduced cot
ton production and a greatly increased
cost of producing whatever amount is
grown. Cotton is the money crop of the
south, and in fact the money crop of the
United States. and anything that threat
ems the money crop of the south threatens
the welfare of the entire United States.
The danger is not local one alone, or
even a sectional one alone.
'At the conference held few days ago
in the office of the Secretary of Agricul-
ture most of those present were from sec
tions where the boil weevil has already
made its appearance and has begun it's
devastating work. Naturally they were
iiioIe lHleTtSltu III AfAlllS TO get SO1ueIn1uS
that would help their own sections than
in trying to protect sections that have not
yet been reached.
MANY efforts have been made to check
the spread of the boil weevil, but all have
failed. The zone plan is the only sugges-
tion that has yet been offered that holds
out any promise of relief. The cost of the
zone plan is undoubtedly great, but when
the estimated cost is compared with the
estimated saving. the protection of sec
tions not yet reached and the ultimate
eradication of teh boil weevil throughout
the entire cotton belt, the cos does not
seem to be prohibitive. In fact, the cost
of the zone system will be mild compared
to the loss that will be entailed If the
boil weevl is not exterminated.
Loss to Individual
81 have spoken of the aggregate loss to
the country, but the feature that appeals
to me most strongly is the loss to the in
dividual. The country may eventually
recover from the damage done to the
cotton crop, but the individuarl cotton far
mer whose income is cut In half or de-
stroyed, and whose property is made to
depreciate in value, may never recover.
The loss to him will be irreparable.
s'It is practically certain that If the boil
weevl spreads to the South Atlantic
States the Sea Island cotton industry win
be wiped out entirely. This is by reason
of the semi-tropical nature of the islands,
the luxuriant foliage which affords a
safe harbor and breeding ground for the
insects during winter and summer. and
the fact that there is neither extreme heat
or extreme cold both of which are de-
structive to insect life. 1t is my deliber-
ate judgment that if the boil weevil
reaches the sea islands there will be no
more sea island cotton.
Just at this time the government is
being urged to go to war to protect the
interests of a few American mine owners
and their employees in Mexico. but appar-
emily nothing is being done to check the
spread of this peril which came from
Mexico, and which has already entailed
a loss upon this country gerater than the
value of all the mines in Mexico. and
which threatens the immediate welfare of
thousand times more American people
than have ever crossed the Rio Grande
or ever will cross it.
Il have prepared this statement in or
der that the people Of the country may
know just how seriously the cotton crop
is being menaced and that they may dis
cuss and understand the only plan that
has been offered that promises to accom-
plish the result needed. If any other plan
is suggested that promises to accomplish
the result at less cost or in a quicker
manner. | will give it my heartfelt in
dorsement. What | am most anxious for
is to save the cotton crop, and this may
not be done unless the people realize the
danger and demand that adequate steps
be taken to meet the situation.
81 will be glad toshave the farmers and
others of the south consider this problem
carefully and write me what thev think