Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-19

VIZ ASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 15-The coming
w year will trial of strength between
the forces of science and the forces of de-
struct1on. The deadly pink cotton bOll-wOrm has
invaded the United States. One of our greatest
industries, a principal of the clothing OF
the world, is threatened. The pink bolI-worm
acts annual toll of at least ten per cent of the
egyptian COTTON crop, and usually much more. IL
threatens to make cotton-growing in Brazil i'm
possible. 1t has completely eliminated the rails
ing of cotton from Hawaii
The first live pink boll-worm to be found in an
American cotton field discovered recently
September s, 1917 The gravity of the menace
was realized at once by American scientists and
cotton-raisers. Preparations made for a
of determination. 1t will be of those
that are truly characteristic of modern times-a
war not lacking in DRAMA in color, in strategy, a
between humanity and the malign forces of
nature, with patience, intelligence and scientific
knowledge pitted against a foe who makes his en-
try in the heart of single cotton-seed and multi
plies until a field of ten thousand acres is left
ravaged, diseased and dropping.
Said MIR. Lever, chairman of the house COM
mittee on agriculture in debate in the house:
eff we are to be invaded by another pest, which
they say is worse than the boil weevil, l foresee
that the cotton industry is practically doomed"
This is not exaggeration in the opinion of scten
lists, but luckily the invasion of the bol-worm
and will be checked.
If the most vigorous measures are taken at
to prevent further importations, and to stamp
out the pest wherever it appears, the boll-worm
will be eradicated If the nation had taken sim
liar measures against Che bol-weevil when that
pest first made its appearance years ago, the value
of the American cotton crop would have been in
creased by many millions annually. We have learn
ed lesson. At the last session, congress ap-
propriated 100000 to fight the boll-worm, and
pending appropriation of $500 900 additional has
passed the house and is regarded certain to
pass the senate.
The boll-worm peril has it's international an
giles. The pest comes to us from Mexico. 1t came
to Mexico from Egypt The exact place of its
origin is uncertain, but like most destructive plant
and animal and human plaques, it probably orig
mated in the ancient civilizations of the Far East
The boll-worm takes terrible toll of the cotton
crop in every country where cotton is raised, ex-
cept the United States and Mexico. Japan, India,
China Egypt and Brazil all pay it annual
tribute. 1t has come to the American continent
principally from Egypt. In 1913, the Brazilian
government, with view of improving the quality
of their cotton imported large quantity of
Egyptian seed. The seed was infected and its wide
distribution in Brazil ideal method for
spreading the infection.
The worm came to the United States, Indirect
ly in the same way. Certain Mexican cotton-plant-
ers bought Egyptian seed with view of raising
the long-staple Egyptian cotton. Some time be-,
FORE American agents had investigated the situa-
ton in Mexico, and they found cotton para
sites there which did not have already in this
country, the quarantine regulations were not
strict. The Mexican revolutions made it imprac-
ticable for the cottonseed oil mills of Mexico to
press the oil from the seed AS result, they &C
cumulated three-years' seed surplus, which they