The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-08-14
1s] AGE-HERALDS FARM PAGES 75:.;ETs ::7ss
COTTON WORM COMING AGAIN

It is now eight years since the cotton worm appeared in Alabama in serious numbers. During the last week in July in 1911 numerous reports of cotton worms stripping the cotton at various southern points were received at the pertinent station. and during the month of August, 1911, cotton stripped gen orally throughout the state.
 On July 21 1919, the first specimens of cotton worm were reported to the depart ment of entomology from Houston county. Within few days it had been determined that worms were present in nearly every field in that section, and subsequent re- ports showed that the worms were found as far north at least as Autauga county. At this date reports of stripping have been received from Geneva county. In all probability similar conditions exist at hun dreds of other points in the southern half of Alabama. and reports are expected in increasing numbers during the next two weeks.
 Prospects-At the present time the ndi- cations are that we shall have very heavy injury from the boil weevil this season. There are large areas of cotton in Ala bama that are so late that the first bloom has not appeared in them. The cotton worm is starting only little later than it did in 1911, and the climatic condi- tions and the growth of the plant are ex- tremely favorable to very heavy damage from the cotton worm.
 The first thing to do IS to watch cot ton very closely to detect the first signs of cotton worm attacks and to report immediately to the department of ento- nology at Auburn. so that information may be had regarding the situation from all parts of the state as soon as possible. Second be sure that some stock or poison is within reach so that 1t may be obtained without delay when needed. Mer- chants cannot be expected to carry the CT tire burden for placing the stock or poison. Cotton planters should divide the responsibility with the merchants by or dering enough to meet immediate needs for their rankest cotton where the worms are most likely to appear. The amount to be provided will be approximS~~.- three pounds to the acre per treatment and two treatments are likely to be need ed at least Six pounds per acre may, therefore, be sufficient to control the cotton worm until after the bolls are secure. This will not be enough, how ever, to provide for treatment for the boil weevil as well. Neither will the method of application that may be satis- factory for cotton worm be entirely sat isfactory for boil weevil control, although it may do some good.
 There are two poisons which we recom- mend for cotton Torm control. The first and cheapest of these is calcium arsenate, which is being used in considerable quan- tity for boil weevil control this season. The material should contain not less than R40 per cent arsenate pentoxide, of which rot more than three-fourths of per cent should be water soluble, and should have density of between 80 and 100 cubic inches per pound material. This ma terial is stronger in killing power than is arsenate of lead. The second material that we recommend is arsenate of lead This was used in large quantities in 1911 and gave excellent results. It should con- tain from 35 to 33 per cent of arsenic trioxde, of which not more than l per cent may be water soluble. Both of these poisons adhere well to the leaves and can be applied with safety to the plant. We do not recommend Paris green, be- cause this material is now very much more expensive than either of those men, toned above, and is far more injurious to plants and dangerous for the workrnen to handle. In case of emergency, how ever where some stock of Paris green is or hand from previous years, it may be used very carefully, but 'Tin not give as good results or long continuing
 protection from application to the plant as will either the arsenate of lead or ] lz.., Nn