The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-10-19
BOIL WEEVIL WARNING.
County Demonstration Urged to BE on
Sharp Lookout.

Mr.. J. J. Heard, county demonstra-
tor, has received the following letter
from Mr.. A. F. Conradi, of the bu-
reau of entomology:
I'VE wish to call your attention to
| the extreme Importance of keeping
on a sharp lookout for the boil wee
| vii. The insect to date has made un-
| usual progress and we are quite con-
| fidentially expecting that they may
reach you before the end Of this sea-
son. / am directing attention to all
demonstrators in our western coun-
| ties to be on a sharp lookout. Please
take no chances on insects in regard
| to which you are in doubt, but re-
port them freely. We, of course, ex-
pect the pest to enter the State in
the region of Beaufort, Jasper, and
Hampton counties first, and the
demonstrators of those counties are
doubly urged to be on sharp look
| out"
It will be noted that the first ap-
pearance of the boil weevil is expect
ed in this part of the State. The
weevil is now plentifully in evidence
Just across the river in Georgia, and
Mr.. Heard says the authorities be-
lieve that unless there is a killing
frost within the next two weeks, the
weevil is sure to make his appearance
on this side of the line this season.
The weevil is expected to be factor
in the cotton crop in this State next
year.
Mr.. Heard spent some time in the
lower section of the county this week
looking for the weevil. He expects
to keep in close touch with the situa-
ton, and on the first appearance, the
fact will be reported to the authori-
ties for such action as can be taken
to check the pest.
Mr.. Heard will leave the first of
next week for Columbia, to be in at
tendance upon the State fair. I'm
mediately on his return, after the
fair, he contemplates arranging Sc
ries of farmers meetings at different
points in the county to discuss the
situation. Mr.. w. r. Elliott, dis
trict agent, is expected to attend
these meetings, and, if possible, one
of the gentlemen who recently made
the trip to the boil weevil territory,
will be secured to give addresses at
these meetings.
The boil weevil situation is a seri-
Gus problem that is confronting the
farmers, and it is generally agreed
that on account of the apathy of the
farmers in this regard they are going
to lose heavily for two or three sea-
sons before they fully realize the inn
portance of the matter. The boil
weevil has been talked of so long
that most people regard it as a myth.
The weevil has been a long time in
getting down this way, but as the
pest is now generally prevalent in
Georgia, and right across the river
at that, it can no longer be doubted
that it is a real fact; and it cannot
be longer doubted that the pest is
certain to make it's appearance In
South Carolina.
The pest has been prevalent in
Texas and some other States for many
years. The decrease in the amount
of cotton harvested has not been ap-
preciable; but this is due to the fact
that the people of those States were
fully alive to the fact that they were
confronted by serious situation, and
have taken measures to fight the wee
will. This is done largely through
rotation of crops, and the planting
of plenty of foodstuffs.
The object of the meetings to be
held in this county will be to edu-
cate the farmers along the line OF
taking precautionary measures to in
sure the county against great loss
when the weevil does actually put in
appearance. Several prominent gen.
tlemen of the county have enlisted
their sympathy and influence in the
matter, and will attend the meetings
in the county. Further notice OF
these meetings will be given at a Ia
ter date.
AG:ca;o1,o.cu SnQGi9l