Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-19
THE COTTON MENACE
Vigorous Be Wad Against the Pink Boil Worm Which threat
Whole American Cotton Industry
THE COTTON MENACE
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

offered to American mills at a very low price. Sew
eral hundred cars were imported, and with them
the pink bOll-wOrm.
The fact that the seed was infected dscov-
cred before the planting season began, Every
effort was made to check distribution. Sellers
were urged not to distribute suspicious seed, and
legal measures taken. Only one instance is
known where distributor, in the face of advice
to the contrary, persisted in selling suspected Mex
lean seed This seed was traced, and all through
the growing season, scientists watched the cotton
plants for the appearance of the boll-worm. In
September it found, and later other infesta-
tiOns were reported.
The way the situation at Hearne, Tex,
dealt with is characteristic. Five hundred labor
were set to work. Every cotton plant in the
infected fields was cut down. The ground
raked, and men on their hands and knees were
sent down every cotton-rOw to pick up with thumb
and finger every scrap of plant remainings The
whole saturated with kerosene and destroyed
utterly.
1t is a curious fact that the boll-worm plague
probably reached the United States at least year
before it came in with the Mexican seed above
mentioned. Its presence was not suspected, and
it probably would have gone undiscovered for
some time except for the campaign started by the
importation of infected seed. During the hurricane
of 1915, several bales of cotton were blown from
the docks Galveston to the shores of Trinity Bay
After the storm, the cotton was salvaged, and In
the process the bales were broken open. This
cotton is believed to have introduced the worm
into FIVE counties
Stringent quarantine measures against infected
foreign cotton importations have prevailed for
some years. Foreign lint is fumigated at ports OF
entry These measures did not apply to Mexico
until recently, however. NOW very SLT1cI quar-
antine is being maintained along the Mexican Dor
der. The importation of cotton is absolutely pro-
hibited, and all suspicious shipments Of whatever
nature are disinfected This is however, mani-s
testify an inadequate way to meet the problem.
In order to make the cotton industry safe Ill
the United States it is necessary to eliminate the
bol-worm completely from the North American
continent. Infection in northern Mexico is al
most as bad as infection in some American state.
Hence the scientists in charge of the work asked,
and congress after some debate granted, an ap-
propriation which is available for expenditure in
Mexico as well as in the United States. American
experts and American money will be used to clean
up the cotton fields OK Mexico.
The Mexican planters, many OF whom are
Americans, have shown themselves willing to CO.
operate in every way, and the Mexican govern
ment so far as is known, has made no objection.
This is a rather significant step forward in our
friendly relations with Mexico. Both countries
seem to take the eminently viewpoiu: that
this struggle against the boll-worm is a struggle
between man and nature, and tkat to hamper It
by religious observance of artificial boundary
lines would be in the nature of treason to the hu-
man
The appearance of the boll-worm in the United
States has in it the elements of economic tragedy.
There is however, a practical certainty thai mis-
tragedy will be averted by quick action, q liberal
use of men and money, and a cheerful acquiescence
in whatever measures science deems advisable.