The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-03-01
Freezes and Boil Weevil

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extremely unwise for cotton farmers to
assume that the freezes of the last few
weeks have exterminsted the cotton
boil weevil, says the Department of
Agriculture, in answer to many inquiries
from the South.
During the past winter the tempera-
lures have been lower than any time
since 1899. and there can hardly be any
doubt that this extremeIcOld has reduced
the numbers otIweevis in many sections
Of the South. The impression has been
gained by many planters that the weevil
has been reduced to negligible numbers.
If not altogether exterminated. II is
too much to expect that the tempers-
lures have been uniformly cold enough
to absolutely extermiDate the weeYil
from large areas. The record of the
Department of Agriculture Indicate
that there 10 at least from one to five
per cent survival Of the weevil In those
sections which have been thoroughly
studied as against a normal Of 7.6 per
cent survival. This percentage Of sur
viving weevils 10 sufficient :to Ire-stock
the cotton fields Of the South before
the end of growing seasons.
There IL always . possibility that
there may be some specially sheltered
spots even in the NOR northerly infested
regions where some weevils will be able
to survive. The instict of the weevil
leads it to seek the warmest shelter
available In the vicinity Of les breeding
ground. Il will shelter itself under
the bark Of trees. or in thick hanging
moss upon the trees under the thatch OF
roofs. and in straw stacks. in seed store
houses and gins. and In other buildings.
It is therefore quite easy to see that no
matter how cold the external tempera-
lures are there Is always probability
that there will be weevils surviving In
each field sheltered securely enough TO
carry them through the winter.
The experience Of twenty five years
with the boil weevil In this country has
shown that one or two weevils surviving
10 field can easily produce lenough off
spring to destroy all but the earliest
portions Of the crop.
No reliable prediction can be made on
the basis of what happened during the
winter. Frequently seasons 10 which
very few weevils pass the winter have
been followed by great injury to the
crop by the weevil. This has been due
to favorable conditions brought about
by heavy rains during the early part OF
the growing seasons, which permitted
the weevil to overcome their losses
during the winter, or to early disper-
sion Of the weevil from the warmer
sections of the cotton belt, and some.
times to severe tropical storms which
frequently sweep over the tGulf States.
It is there apparent that the conditions
Of the spring and summer will largely
deter mine the extent of damage due to
the weevii. rather than the number Of
weevils which survive in given locality.
In the opinion Of the Department OF
Agriculture, It would be very unfortu-
nate IL the prevailing impression con-
cerning the boil weevil should increase
the acreage of cotton at the expense
of food crops. At the present time,
what is most urgently needed thruout
the South is an increased production Of
food and feed crops. There Is every
indication that the normal acreage In
cotton, with proper cultivation, will
give a supply of the stalpe sufficient
for all purposes. 1t Is clearly matter
Of patriotism as we'll as sound judge
ment for planters to increase the
acreage in food crops. The planter
who increases bis cotton acreage can
not be assured that bis crop will not
suffer greatly from the boil weevil
attack, and will be utilizing his land N
Q way which does not best serve the
necessities Of the country.
Director General McAdoo has already
issued a warning that transportation
difficulties in 1918 may make II difficult.
IL not impossible, to suspply food and
feed promptly to communities that
neglect to provide their own.necessities.
To say the least. the drain on transpor-
tation 10 20 be svy that any exceptional
requirments for hauling food and feed
to the South will be an actual en-
barrassment TO the Government In the
prosecution Of the war. The Depart
ment Of Agriculture Ia not asking the
South to contribute msterislly to the
Nations supply, but is asking the
South only to feed itself 20 that 1t may
not become q burden upon the food
producing sections Of the country which
must strain their energies TO the ut
most In order to feed The Armies and
maintain the civil populations behind