The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-07
BOIL WEEVH
CAMPAIGN
President of Cotton Association
Suggests Plan Fer Com
batting Pest

batting the boil weeyil which he says
has been successfully used in quite
a number Of other sections Of the
west was outlined by R. NJ: Mixson,
president of the South Carolina Cot
ton Association, in a statement is
sued last night. Mr.. MiXson said that
he had travelled extensively in the
boil weevil section Of the belt this
year and that he had interviewed the
farmers who had met the situation
the most successfully. His statement
presents the plan used by most Of
them.
The statement issued by Mr.. Mix
son follows:
The boil weevil is in our midst
and in the language Of distinguish
ed gentleman, that is what is the
matter with our midst?'
This is a very serious matter and
calls for considerable thought and a
lot Of work.
We can't give up cotton planting
etefnally Providence has given the
South the soil. the sunshine and rain
fall necessary to growing and pro-
ducing cotton. AS far as we can do
so proftably we ought to produce
cotton. The world is dependent on
the staple for clothing. And the
South is better adapted to the produc-
ton of cotton than any other section
of the world
But there is no moral or legal
reason why the South should grow
cotton at a loss either from the raw
ages of insect pest or on account Of
| inadequate prices. The man, who, in
the face Of past experiences and the
present invasion Of the uoll weevil
will increase his cotton acreage, is a
fit subject for the lunatic asylum
and the man who will advise him to
DO so is either crazy or has an axe
to grind.
This is a serious question, one af-
fecting the financial interests Of the
State, but not one to get panicky
over. Let's preserve our wits. Don't
go off at tangent. Let's look the
matter squarely in the face. and with
cool deliberation based upon the best
information that we can get covering
the situation meet it squarely and
with determination. The situation
can be met, it has been met and so
far as the interests Of the farmers
are concerned, has been in large
measure overcome.
| "In advising the farmer how to
proceed, let's keep his interests in
mind. Don't advise him to do things
which will benefit other interests at
his expense He has been the slave
Of these interests long nough. He has
been made the cats paw to pull the
chestnuts Of other interests out Of the
fire long enough, and he shall not be
so used any longer If 1 can prevent
| it.
II have spent four months this fall
! in the boil wecyil sections of F'1ori-
da, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas
I investigated and discussed the situa-
ton closely met the best posted
planters in these States and discussed
tho best method OF combating the
| boil weevil! My views are based up
on the best information could get
States mentioned.
First, plant not over ten acres in
cotton to the plow. Don't plant any
bottoms in cotton. Bottoms are the
home Of the weevils and subject to
greater damage by them. Plant your
cotton on uplands.
Second, prepare your lands thor
oughly by a thorough breaking up
early. Harrow the field over at least
once before bedding for cotton.
Third, put your rows three and a
half to four feet apart. Bed by April
1St
Fourth, put from six to eight hun
dred pounds of high grade fertiliz-
er to one acre, a 10-4-4 preferred
This must be distributed as you bed
the land.
Fifth, if you have any soda to use,
apply it on top of the bed just after
the cottpn comes up
Sixth, before planting harrow your
beds SO as to get the soil i'll first
class condition for the termination Of
the seed.
Seventh. don'ti plant too early.
Take no chances of having the plant
killed by frost. but plant as early as
you can be safe. a crop planted
over will be late and more subject
from weevil.
Eight, commence cultivating early.
In chopping your cotton to stand
leave your best and healthiest stalks.
Leave the hills about twelve inches
apart, two stalks to the hill if possi-
ble
Ninth, plow your Gotten every week
if possible. Don't neglect this. Light
and rapid cultivation is an important
factor in the fight.
Tenth. when your cotton begins
to put on squares the boil weevil will
commence his ravages. This is the
time to do your most effective work.
Set aside every Monday to gather the
fallen squares and burn them. If
you value your crop, don't fail to do
q