The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-28
THE COTTON WORM CONTROL

Gent Tor control of that generation of
worms. Two or three applications for
pleteiy from cotton worms. However, if
heavy washing rains occur within "a
hours after the busting has been applied
1t is likely that an immediate repetition
OF the treatment may be necessary. The
best time for application is from day
break in the morning until the dew is
off the cotton. Do not allow the bags
to touch the plants. The second best
time for application is rather late in the
evening after the air has become COM
paratively calm and continuing until
dusk. In emergencies, however, it be-
comes advisable to continue the busting
for cotton worm throughout the day,
and treatments can easily be given during
moonlight nights. The generations of
cotton worm develop is slightly less than
four weeks. More frequent treatments
should be given. however, if the worms
threaten the foliage.
CONTROLLING BOTH PESTS
In the past it has been considered that
the boil weevil could not be probably
controlled by busting arsenical pnisons
on the plants. Therefore hitherto it has
been believed that after the boil weeviI
has stopped the setting of bolls, it was
not advisable to poison. During recent
years. however. it has been found that
with newer and better poison and with
better methods of applying it, the boil
weevil can be controlled. Calcium arsen-
ate applied by means of dust gun driv-
ing the poison through the plants very
thoroughly, and applied at proper inter-
walls, will control the boil weevil very
satisfactory. The expense for this treat
ment usually amounts to S or $40 per acre
for four applications. l(See Alabama Sta.
Cir. No. 81. Wherever the treatment is
applied for boil weevil there will be no
trouble whatever from the cotton worm.
With both weevils and cotton worms in
prospect. farmers who have productive
lands which will continue the growth of
the cotton until the September to 10.
If the boil weevils aye controlled, should
by all means provide the necessary pois-
on and proper apparatus and treat for
boil weevil, and thereby control both
boil weevil and cotton worm. The treat
ment for the boil weevil is generally APP
piled al weekly intervals. and if properly
gwen. plants may continue to bloom and
set fruit as long as the fertility of the
soil will enable them to do so. The
treatment for cotton worm will cost APP
proximately one-half of that for boil
weevil. II treatment saves an average
of only two bolls per plant it will pay
profit on four dustings with the present
price of seed and lint Surely this in
ever the yield promises to be one-third
bale or better to the acre.
WHEN 1T is TOO LATE
Not so long as the cotton continues to
grow and set bolls, or is capable of doing
so if the boil weevils are controlled. In
our most productive fields, two or three
applications of calcium arsenate for the
boil weeyil may be given with expecta-
ton of profit after August 20, and sim
gle late application will in many cases
give very profitable results. Prompt ac-
ton will of course give best results
Under conditions of heavy boil weevil
infestation and with the prospect of cot
ton worm occurrence, we believe that 1t
is highly advisable for planters to use
the calcium arsenate without delay for
toll weevil control Hand dust guns
may be obtained in limited numbers from
the manufacturers or from some of the
wholesale druggists in the principal cities
of the state. Calcium arsenate is also
available. Do not wait until the cotton
worm stops all possibility of further set
ting of fruit or the boil weevils infest
all of the squares before applying this
treatment. The expense for controlling
both boil weevils and cotton forms is a
very small item when the present price
of cotton is considered. Prompt action
may save several millions dollars worth
of cotton to Alabama farmers this sea-
son.
BY writing the Department OF Asricui-
ture, Auburn, free pamphlet on the
cotton worm and illustrations of busting
outfits may be had.