Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-08-07
USELESS PREPARATION FOR WEEvil.
By D. S. Tucker, Associate
EntomolOgist, Louisiana Agri-
cultural Experiment Station,
Baton Rouge, La.

Every orce in awhile, claim gains
currency through newspapers and even
banking and mercantile channels of pub
LEFTY, declaring that a special preparation
has been found which after being applied
upon cotton plants will protect or save
the crop from ravagcs OF the boil weevil.
Despite all that has been said or proved
10y State and Government investigators to
show the iallacy of such methods Of
treatment, many planters waste their
time and money trying out some kind of
compound. Letters can be produced by
the dozens which were written 10y these
growers stating that they failed to obtain
the least benefit from use of the substan-
ccs.
| That firms or members Of business
concern should he deceived into advocat-
ing or practically indorsing the assertions
| OF Irresponsible eXpcrimenters or parties
in the face OF expert testimony is nothing
less than cnlpable indiscretion. Ii the
| advice oi State and Government is to he
lisregarl9d, these officers must then take
steps to expose the fakes and frauds when
ever they come to notice
An idea which has been advanced to
the effect that oil soaked gunny sacks or
cloths when dragged over cotton plants
during cultivation of fields is sufficient TO
leave an odor, especially ii strong SMELL
| ing substances like tar and moth balls
have been combined with the oil, and
thus be effective enough to repel the
weevil from one ploughing to the next
can have no merit in fact. Examination
will reveal as many weevils on cotton so
treated from the day following the appl-
cation as before it, while conditions are
otherwise the same.
! The use OF compounds for the purpose
Of producing a lasting repellent scent on
plants is futile. The impossibiiity of OBJ
tanning 10y such measures effective immun-
| iiy of the live growth to infestation by
pests is too evident. Whatever odor is
given of by the preparation must be
speedily dipelled in the air and can have
no chance to act materially upon insects.
All substances which produce repellent
scents or even killing fumes active upon
insects are only scrviceable when used
in enclosed spaces. None can Ike safely
pr feasibly applied on exposed plan,
growth to drive and keep away pests.
Owing to the bracts which nature pro-
vides for covering the cotton forms, nc
practical way whatever of reaching or
dislodging the weevils hiding under the
enclosures can be devised.
In speaking OF sprays, poisons and
iumigants or smoked, Mr.. w. d. Hunter
has made some convincing statements OF
which the following may be quoted from
Farmers Bulletin3i4, L. S. Department
San insuperable difficulty that these
special preparations have encountered is
the impracticainity of the application in
the field. Hundreds OF known substances
will kill the weevil when brought in con-
tact with it. The difficulty is to apply
them in an economical way in the field
A final word OF advice by the same
authority deserves to be impressed upon
cotton planters: ''Do not 90 to the en-
pense of buying special preparations fol-
destroying the weevil. disappointment
and loss are certain to follow"