Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-08-15
Lewis Tells of Value of
New Weevil Control Method

State Entomologist A. c. Lewis and
Assistant Entomologist D. G. Warren
have just returned from trip to Lou
lsiana and Mississippi, where they
went to investigate busting with cal
cium arsenate for the control of the
boil weeviI. Mr.. Lewis reports that
much valuable information was ST
cured, which will be of great assist.
ance to the department in the ex-
tensiye experiments they are going
TO conduct this year on busting for
the control of the boil weevil.
Prof B. r. Coad, who has charge
of this work in Louisiana and Missis-
sippi, informed them that in their plot
work conducted at Scott, Miss, in
1917 substantial increase of seed
cotton per acre was made. They also
stated the difference between the plots
that were busted and those that we're
not, was clearly visible to the eye.
From four to six applications we're
applied at intervals of one week.
At Scott, Miss, they visited the
Delta Planting and Pine Co. Plan
cation, CT which J. W. Fox is
general manager. In 1918 this COM
pany busted several thousand acres
of cotton, and they figured from the
cost account that the operation cost
them $3.50 per acre. AS no check
plots we're left, Mr.. Fox could not say
Just what increase was secured from
busting. He stated, however, that on
the whole plantation last year the
average yield of cotton was 1872
pounds of lint per acre, On one field
of 81 acres, where the weevil infes-
tation was very heavy, they busted
four times and made % bales OF cot
ton.
Not Afraid of the WeeVil
This plantation will have 10 power
machines and 100 hand machines in
operation this year. They do not fig
ure on busting more than one-third
Of their acreage unless the weeyil IN
festation becomes heavy. l asked Mr..
Fox if he was afraid the weevil would
put them out of business. He said
he did not fear the boil weevil now.
for he believed from their experience
and from the observations he had
made elsewhere, that the weevil could
be successfully and economically con-
trolled by busting with calcium arse
nate.
At Rosedale, Miss, they visited the
Ale ander Scott Plantation, Where
last year 1000 acres were busted. No
cost account was kept of this work
and no checks were left, so they could
not state exactly the increase secur-
ed from busting. Mr.. Scott expressed
himself as very we'll satisfied with the
results, and stated he would not grow
cotton without busting any more than
he would conduct his business with
out insurance. He estimated his gam
last year on 400 acres that were busted
at so bales
1t should be remembered, however,
that in the Delta country of Missls-
sippi, the conditions under which cot
ton is grown are very different from
what they are here. Their land is
rich has the ability to produce a high
yield of cotton under normal condt-
tons. They do not use any fertilizer,
and hence can afford to spend from
$500 to $1,000 per acre on busting
the cotton for the control of the boil
weevil; and if they make yield OF
one-half to three-fourths of bale per
acre, they make a profit.
It should also be remembered that
moisture seems to have great ef-
feet on the efficiency of the dust con-
trolling the boil weevil. In that sec
ton the dews are heavy at night and
the air is calm. Heretofore the appli-
'ations have been applied at night,
t this year, on account Of the diff
ties encountered in night work,
applications will be made very
in the morning and late in the
ng.