Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-23

titles, and this is particularly true where
the land owner gained the impression
that he did not need to fight this pest
because on some previous occasion ne
had been wa, 'ned of the damage it would
infiict when il became well established,
but which failed to materiaiize just at
the time he thou ght il should occur. The
weevil Is with us and has come TO stay.
He is a permanent menace to the cotton
growers of the southeastern states. he
will extract each year from them a
heavy toll in the matter of cotton pro-
Guction. AT the same time, If his at
tack is met with frmness and intelll-
gence. cotton can still be cultivated with
considerable profit and success in parts
OF the infested territory. If the old
slip-shod methods of cultivation still
pertain only loss and disappointment
can attend the effort to cultivate cotton
in the presence of weevil infestation.
A great deal of money has been spent
by the federal and state governments
concerned in an attempt to ind some
easy, cheap and rapid method of con-
trolling or DISCRIMINATING the weevil. AS
vet no satisfactory method of control
has been devised. We hear frequently
that various methods of poisoning the
plant promise early and permanent re-
lief. but none of them have yet been
demonstrated
ing the end in view. The methods which
promise the greatest measure of relief
are based almost altogether on what are
known as cultural methods. brief
review OF these even at this late season
of the year is well worth while, because
those farmers whose crops have been
devastated by the weevil Will probably
now hear these suggestions more COM
pletely in mind than even at a later
date when their disappointment may be
less poignant
In fghting the weevil early planting
is essential. There are few OF the pests
abroad at that time; hence the aim OF
the cotton grower must be to develop
his plants as early and completely as
possibIe before the weevil broods be-
come numerous enough to attack his
fields in large numbers. AS matter
of fact, the weevils do not attack the
bolls until all the squares are used up,
so that where early planting is followed
and a goodly per cent of bollls set on
and develop before the weevil infesta-
ton becomes serious, there is good pros
pect of raising a fair crop, and especial
ly where the plants through frequent
cultivation and proper fertilization can
be induced to continue growth until late
in the season. The longer the plants
~
produce and thus provide the weevil ma
terial on which to feed and operate,
thereby permitting the early-formed
hollis to properly mature and open with
the advancing season. There is much
difference of opinion, of course, as to
what is meant by early planting. This
does not mean that the seed should be
put in the soil before it is in condition
to receive il or before it is warm enough
10 cause rather rapid termination. Plant
ing so early that the young cotton
would be caught by a late frost is of
course inadyisable. Nothing would be
gained by such a procedure, but it fire.
quently happens that much cotton is
planted from two to four weeks later
than is necessary in badly infested wee
vii territory. This difference in the time
of planting means in most instances the
almost complete failure or loss of the
crop.
Another fact to bear in mind in grow
ing cotton under boil lweevil conditions
is the Importance of working and fer
tilizing the land to the best advantage.
To this emo fall blowing can not be en-
phasized too strongly, because where it
is practiced planting can be done as a
rule at least two weeks earlier. About all
that is necessary in most instances is
cross-discing the ground, laying off the
rows and preparing the bed on which to
plant the cotton. Shallow cultivation
should be followed and the cotton
should be frequently worked. Remem-
Der that i'm growing cotton under Wee
vii conditions cultivation should be con-
tinued until the crop is ready to pick.
Fertilization will have a great deal to
DO with the successful growth of cot
ton under weevil conditions. TIT has
q @,I 81
that acid phosphate, for instance, used
at the rate of 800 to 500 pounds per
acre will hasten the maturity of cotton
quite materially. Thine farmer who can
have his cotton ready to pick thirty
days earlier than his neighbor will harv-
est at least a fair yield. Clean Guilt
walton must also be followed. The rows
{ should be rather widely spaced and all
grass and weeds should be kept out Of
the middles. The frequent stirring Of
the soil helps to attain this end Any
method of planting which will permit
I the sun to reach the ground between the
rows is an advantage because the in
/ tense heat of the summer kills many Of
the weevils. II naturally follows that
I the borders Of planted fields should be
kept clean. not only during the growing
/ season, but particularly in the fall Of
/ the year. Weeds and trash and hedge
rows afford the weevil his best place for
/ winter Information. Therefore, the de-
! struction Of all material Of this char
acter means the death of millions Of
[ weevils which would otherwise pass
I through the winter successfully, and
be on hand when the spring opens up to
| begin their depredations on nearby cot
I ton fields.
] At this season of the year the ques-
I ton of infested squares is a matter of
/ the utmost Importance. Some farmers
/ who now have a fair prospect for a cot
! ton crop are wondering whether it is
worth while to pick up the fallen
squares This NAV cost something and
labor may be scarce bit IL tho cwneT
II OF the land expects to save even \ part
OF his crop he should spare no time and
effort necessary to insure the complete
and thorough picking up of all the
| fallen squares and their immediate de-
struction This is one factor in fight
ing the weevil which can not be en-
? phasized too strongly.
II is comparatively easy to fight the
weevil in the early spring. Just as
soon as the cotton comes out of the
, ground the weevil energies and makes
. his way to the first field. He begins
feeding on the tender growth of plants
until the squares develop. A black oil
brown spot is an evidence of his pres
ence. Boys and girls can travel over 9
cotton field rather rapidly observing
the plants on two rows as they go. II
rbei- minds are on the task they will