Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-01-08

known as black root or wilt. Concern.
ing this subject, Doctor Worsham
says:
"Black root or wilt in some sections
Of the South Is more serious than the
boil weevil. It is a fungous disease in
the soil and has occurred in 81 Geor-
gia counties. 1t is worse in the low
sandy soils. The state for several
years has made appropriations to the
department of entomology for fighting
this disease, and splendid results have
been obtained.
THE disease can be controlled by
proper rotation and the growing Of
resistant varieties developed by the
department of entomology and United
States bureau of plant industry. AS
this disease is very serious in the
southwestern part Of the state, our eff
forts have been concentrated on that
section SO as to get 1t under control
before the weevil becomes a problem.
MANY farmers in south Georgia are
growing the resistant varieties; they
not only resist black root, but are pro-
lif1c They will produce from one to
two bales per acre where ordinary cot
ton cannot be grown. Millions Of dol
lars have been saved to the state
through this work.
1.-THE department has propagated va
rieties of cotton that are wilt resist
ant, and large quantities of seed have
been distributed throughout the south
western part of the state to aid farm
ers in the eradication of wilt. This
work is being continued at the present
time and every farmer should eradi-
cate disease from his farm before the
boil weevil appears. Briefly, 1t Is con-
trolled by rotation with Iton or Brab-
ham peas, velvet beans, corn, or grain
crops, and growing Of wilt resistant
varieties.
when the boil weevil occurs these
two problems must be fought togeth-
er. If wilt occurs in your soil you
must plant an early maturing variety
that is wilt resistant on such affected
areas.
I'm many places the weevil has pro-
duced condition akin to a panic, be-
cause Of Generalization of labor and
! business generally. But there Is no
reason for such conditions In Georgia,
| IL the growers will take advantage of
the experience Of others.
''The farmers, in infested areas,
have demonstrated that cotton can be
grown successfully under boil weevil
conditions. 1t will be at least two or
/ three years before the weevil covers
enough territory in Georgia to do a
great deal of damage, and still longer
before the Carolinas are attacked If
the farmers begin now, they can pre-
vent to large degree the usual de-
moralization and depreciation of land
values.
Il have made a number of trips to
boil weevil territory, have investigat-
ed the problem and made study of it
from the standpoint of what it will
mean to Georgia. A recent trip to
Louisiana and Mississippi convinced
me more thoroughly than ever that
there is no necessity for anyone to be-
come discouraged over the situation,
if he is willing to fight. The man
who doubts that it can thrive in our
climate and doubts that it could ever
do any damage is the man who will
suffer most. The man that makes up
his mind to live at home is the man
who will suffer least under weevil con-
ditions. Diversification and reduction
in acreage are the words.
"The boil weevil is a most serious
pest, but if cotton growers and bust
ness men will take hold of the situa-
ton and take advantage of the expe-
rience of those who have suffered and
recovered, there will be no necessity
for alarm. To successfully cope with
the weevil we must grow more live
stock and more foodstuffs, not so
much to compete with other sections
in these articles, but to grow what we
need for home consumption. The boil
weevil will undoubtedly revolutionize
our agriculture. We will have to do
better farming than we have ever done
before and have to give the farm more
active personal supervision. The
farmer must make use of the infor-
nation obtained from the study of diff
ferent types of soils, kinds of fertili-
zers for different crops, cultural meth.
DDS, live stock suited for different
sections, market situation, etc.
"The farmer who is willing to profit
by the experience of other men will
continue to grow cotton successfully,
but he must live at home, must make
his farm selfsustaining. The solution
of the boil weevil problem Is no more
nor less than good farming"