Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-09


These facts give an insight into
methods which may be followed with
advantage in minimizing or controlling
weevil damage, and indicate that this
will best be accomplished by institut-
ing the following methods of practice:
As soon as possible in the fall the
fields devoted TO the cultivation of cot
ton should be plowed and the stalks bur-
led as completely as possible. This is
very important matter. The burying can
be accomplished by a deep tilling inple-
meat, though the use of this would be
ilnpracticable on the small farm. A
heavy turning pillow may also be used TO
advantage. a heavy chain should be
attached TO the end of the whiffie tree
and to the Golfer of the pillow. This
Will aid materially in breaking down
the stalks and burying them more COM
pletely. The more thoroughly this is
done i'm the early fall the larger the
number of weevils which will be de-
stroyed and hence a smaller number
left to hibernate and come out in the
early spring to reproduce the new
broods. AS the destroying of the stalks
is such a simple matter it does not
seem possible that any one would neg
lect this important undertaking. I'm
fortunately. very few of our farmers
are following the advice given with ref
erence TO this matter.
There is another method of destroy
ing the weevn in cotton plants and
which would otherwise pass through
the winter successfully in large num-
bers. Reference is made to the burn
ing of the stalks. This. of course, is
a wasteful practice as southern soils
are already markedly deficient in hui
mus. Moreover, considerable amount
of nitrogen is lost directly into the
air where this practice is followed. and
it would appear from Investigations
made up to date that the blowing under
of the stalks is quite as effective a
remedy as the bruning and is much to
be preferred for it insures the turning
Of the land which is a distinct advan-
tage. The weevil is likely to hiber-
nate in hedge rows, in grass, weeds
and trash in and about the cotton
ieIds.. Therefore, material of this kind
should be destroyed which can prob
ably best be accomplished by blowing
il under. Then, cotton should not be
grown on the same land two years In
succession but should be moved as far
as POSSIBLE from the field devoted to
it the preceding year. This may not
always be practicable, but it is a sug-
gestion worthy of the most serious
consideration.
In fighting the weevil earliness is the
most important and effective weapon
the farmer can employ; hence fall
blowing and the thorough preparation
of the land for early planting becomes
a matter Of the utmost Importance. In
our experience fall-plowed land can fire.
ouently be worked and seeded several
weeks earlier than spring-plowed land.
The aggressive farmer who prepares
his land in the autumn will be in posi-
ton, therefore, to get his cotton out
of the ground and well DEVELOPED early
in The season. Every one knows that
land can frequently be planted in the
srring when it would still be too wet to
pIow. Moreover, the fall-plowed land
absorbs the winter rains and lessons
thereby the tendency to erosion.
The cotton should be planted in wide
rows and plenty ,of space should be
left between the plants in the drill.
When this is done it has been found
that the natural enemies Of the weevil
multiply more rapidly than where the
cotton is planted close as has gener-
ally been the practice of the farmer in
previous years. The selection Of an
early maturing variety of cotton is
matter of the utmost importance. No
one point should be emphasized more
strongly than this. Earliness must be
length of staple and other desirable
qualities have to be sacrificed, though
this will seldom be necessary as there
are many very good early maturing varie-
ties of cotton which can now be utiliz-
ed to advantage in the southeastern
states. Cotton should be fertiliZed
with the idea of Fastening maturity,
and with this end in view liberal ra-
lions of acid phosphate should be used
IL In avlna
plant food more effective in Fastening
maturity of cotton than phosphoric
5cId. A good deal can be done to ad-
vance the growth of cotton by chopping
Il out early and leaving plenty of
space between the plants. Frequent
shallow cultivation will also be found
an advantage. Deep cultivation should
be avoided as il is likely to cause
part of the bolls already set to be she'd
thereby giving the weevil more time in
which to multiply and develop and in
luIe the crop.
The use of poisons is still a debata-
HE question. Investigations are being
made along this line, and as soon as
ANYTHING very definite has been ascer>
.ined. il will undoubtedly be given 10
he public with the utmost dispatch by
hose who are carrying on the WORK.
Hundreds of methods of controlling the
weevil have been suggested, but most
,arefsI and exhaust;c investigation OF
all of these has shown that they are
non-effective in accomplishing the ends
for which they were designed. There Is
no use of farmers buying special prep
arations or complicated machinery for
DESTROYING the weevil. If they do. disap-
pointment and loss are almost certain TO
follow. II any new method of combat
ing the weevil Is suggested communi-
cate with your college o. agriculture or
the United States department of agricul-
ture and they will be glad to give you
such advice concerning the remedy as
is available, and if it is something which
promises TO be of value, you can rest
assured that it will be carefully and
promptly investigated.
The foregoing presents a brief sum-
mary Of some of the peculiarities or the
v.eevil ard the best methods of combat
ting the damage which he inflicts on the
cotton plant. The statements presented
will be disappointing to many who no
doubt think some mysterious or occult
process ought to have been developed
long before this by government or state
agencies whereby the weevil can be con-
trolled or destroyed in a cheap yet thor
oughIy effective manner Unfortunately,
no such method has yet been found. The
land owner should therefore employ the
advice given for if he does this he will
IN fafrl y