The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-08-22

= L.. DSSII uCIlOIl VI WcSFliS LII tlS
fall by blowing under or by uproot-
ing and burning the plants.
2. Destruction in their hibernat-
ing places of weevils that survive the
first operation.
8. Locating cotton fields where
heavy infestation may be avoided.
4. Early and thorough prepara-
tion of the land to obtain, an early
crop. This means fall blowing and
winter working of the land. or the
use of cover crops.
5. Determination by experiments
on local soils of best methods of
spacing, both between rows and be-
tween plants in the row.
s. Insuring an early crop by ear
~ planting of early-maturing varie-
ties and by fertilizing where c
sa1y. 49,.
That is the working program which
the cotton grower in boll-Weevil ter
ritory should hang on the wall as
his guide. Some of the measures
are not new in principle. They are
old methods which, modified and i'm
proved, have stood the test of years.
They represent plain and practical
farming methods and, although they
may appear less attractive than
many of the fantastical panaceas
which spring up from time to time
in cotton-growing sections they are
sound and reliable. Individually
they are effective in checking the
ravages of the weevils and collec-
lively they offer a practicable system
which, if followed carefully, will
insure a crop in spite of this pest.
The system may have to undergo
slight notifications to meet local
conditions. For example, in some
localities hand picking of weevils
anG infested squares at times may
prove a profitable measure.
The Department of Agriculture
does not rest its case, however, with
the announcement of this anti-boll-
weevil system. The problem Of boil
weevil control becomes more serious,
the specialists say, as the pest con-
tinues it's invasion of the cotton belt.
Eastern planters must expect a more
serious problem than that which con-
fronted the farmers of Texas be-
cause the humid conditions in the
east are more favorable to the life
of the weeyils. Better means Of con-
troll must be devised for the region
that is becoming invaded, and, if
possible, other means must be devel-
oped to reduce the enormous loss
that is suffered, especially during
unfavorable seasons, in Texas. The
principal work of the Bureau of En-
tomology at this time is in attempt
ing to devise means for this requisite
additional control.
Much has ben learned about the
habits of the boil weevil. Many
seemingly excellent theories Of con-
troll have fallen before this newly
discovered information. A few may
be mentioned. Repellents do not re-
pei the boil weevil. Sprays innum-
cradle have been tried ~unsuccess-
fully. Nor are the weevils attracted
to light. Lantern traps have been
hong in rotton fields by many farm
ers but only occasional stragglers
are caught in this way, the special.
lists learn.
Machines employing suction and
Earring devices designed to pick wee
wills and infested squares or to shake
the weevils to the ground have pro.
ed injurious to the plants and are not
sufficiently effective to pay for the
cost of operation. Mechanical in.
genuity is needed, however, the spe'
~cialists point out, especially in de-
veloping effective machinery for aid
ing in the destruction of weevils in
! the fall and also for a better Guilt
walton of the crop.
In discussing the extent of the
damage boil weevils now aus to the
cotton industry, the writer of the
bulletin estimates the loss at 100000
bales of cotton annually. Although
farmers in older regions, in many
cases, are increasing their produr'
ton, there is loss in the newly-infest'
! ed regions which offsets that gain,
A conservative estimate shows that
since the weevil has invaded this
country it has caused a loss of 1885,
600 bales of cotton, with a value OF
about $25O,0O0,000
The figures which have been cited
show clearly the enormous reduc'
ton in cotton production which the