Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-07-06

AV OOAa WCCNA pkd6uC HI JollCI SOLl county is 50 times greater now than ever before at this time of the year, and unless the farmers rise up al once to stamp it out, the coming crop is in serious danger of extermination according to members of the execu. tive committee of the agricultural preparedness committee. which met at the Chamber of Commerce Wednes- day morning to discuss best methods of fighting the pest.
 The following statement relative to the situation has been issued:
 Boil Weevfl Situation.
 Reports from the various parts of Jefferson county have convinced the agricultural preparedness committed that the boil weevil menace is a seri- ous one. Tho weevils have made their appearance at least three weeks ear- Her than usual, the cotton crop is at least three weeks late, and this com bination will spell ruin for our cotton crop unless every possible step is taken to combat the weevil and give the crop the very best cultivation.
 Our county agents are alive to the situation and have already begun the work among our planters. They have addressed, the following letter to the committee, which we are sure con- tains the best possibleadvice ,and to which we invite your most careful consideration:
 Knowing that you are keenly alive to the necessity of producing every poun dOf cotton possible this year, we are writing you to use your influence with your neighbors and tenants in organizing systemativ fight on tho boil weevil.
 It IS a known fact that old over wintered weevils only live . few weeks after they begin laying eegs in the squares. All weevils do not emerge at one time because some are in warmer places than others, and are brought out of winter quarters sooner. How ever, the hot weather has now brought all of them out and the next two weeks will decide whether we or the weevils will gather this years crop.
 "'With the lateness of the crop, and the heavy infestation of weevils, un- less theya re checked at once, 1t will be impossible to secure even one-fourtll of normal crcp.
 We can control them now. Three weeks from now 1t will be impossible If all punctured squares are gathered and burned. beginning right now and continued for two weeks, we can de- stroy practically the entire crop of weevils before the first new ones get out. Unless this is done we cannot hope to make any cotton A bale of cotton and seed is now worth $1S0. A mans family can easily save several bales of cotton by prompt and care- full work.
 Remember. the failures are al- ways from waiting too long. or from careless picking. Every fallen square, every wilted square. every open square should be picked. both on the ground and on thcstalk.
 Regular cultivation is necessary, but will amount to nothing unless we get the weevils at once.
 Yours very truly.
 "tC. H. THOMAS.
 "'JOE LAMBERT.
 County Agricultural Agents
 "To give concrete example as to what has been done along these lines and the splendid results achieved we give below letter, in which s. c. Alexander outlines just what was done and accomplished by him on his Tuck CT Lake plantation last year:
 MT. Alexandef's Letter.
 The boil weevil Is more in evil dence at this time than ever before, caused, think. by the cool, late spring. If the cotton grower will act promptly he can save part of his crop. The squares must be picked up Ut least once every week until the 18th of August. It is very important that the first crop of boil weevil be checked in this way.
 Some say it will not pay, but from actual experience on my Tucker Lake farm last year know 1t will pay. As an actual test I allowed one cut of IF acres to go at will. Sixty feet from AAA S ktS < x A A < < . x 4