The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1919-07-22
Results Are PROMISING


While the results so far secured
from busting with calcium arsenate
are very promising, the work is still
IN the experimental stage. The ma
chinery for applying the dust has not
been perfected as it should be. The
amount to apply per acre, the time of
application, number of applications
and the interval between the applica-
lions will all have to be worked out
more completely than they are at
present.
Another of the questions that will
require much work is whether the
calcium arsenate had better be used
alone or mixed with some carrier,
such as lime or sulphur, or both. At
present it is apparently advisable to
use the straight calcium arsenate, ap-
plying it at the rate of to pounds
per acre, and make 4 to applications,
at intervals of one week. The dust
ing should not be begun until at least
10 to Is per cent of the squares are
infested. This should be determined
by actual count of at least 100 or
200 squares in different sections Of
the field
Anyone desiring to experiment with
busting for the control of the boil Wee
vii this season should bear in mind
that a high grade of calcium arsenate
must be used. 1t should conform to
the following specifications. 1t should
contain:
Not less than 1910 Arsenic Pentox-
ide,
Not more than O.75% water solu-
BILE Arsenic Pentoxide,
Density not less than 80, or more
than 100 Gu. in. per pound
They have found that the calcium
arsenate must come up to this stand
ard in order to give satisfactory con
troll of the weevil and not injure the
plants. Hence, anyone who purchases
calcium arsenate should determine
that it meets the above specifications.
Advice Is to Go Slow
The State Entomologist advises the
farmers to go slow with this work this
year and carry on only experimental
work on a small scale, using hand
gun to apply the poison. 1t is diff
cult to secure calcium arsenate of the
proper specifications, and it is also
almost impossible to secure power ma
chimes. By conducting the work on
a small scale this year they can de-
termine for themselves whether it will
pay to dust for the boil Weevil in
Georgia or not. Dust the heaviest
infested field and leave check plot
of one acre so that you can determine
when the cotton is gathered whether
you have controlled the Weeyll and in
creased the yield enough to pay for
the cost incurred
The same effective control OF the
boil Weevil from busting may not be
secured in Georgia even where the
same material and method of apply
ing are used. Another important fac
tor to be determined before the work
is conducted very extensively by the
average farmer, is whether enough in
crease in yield can be secured under
Georgia conditions to make a profit
by busting for the control OF the
boil weevil.
The Board of Entomology will con
duct extensive experiments this sea-
son to determine what methods and
materials will give the best results
in Georgia. They are in hopes that
by another year some definite recon-
mendations can be made in regard to
controlling the boil weevil by busting
The machinery will also be tested out
this season and no doubt many i'm
provements made so that more effect
i've machines for applying the dust
may be secured.
For special advice or recommends
lions in regard to controlling the boil
weevil, and other insects, address A.
C. Lewis, State Entomologlst, AT
lanta. Ga.