Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-03-27

yields more than 100 pounls of seed
cotton over check plats which were
not so sprayed. The experiments
were, of course, conducted in badly
infested boil weevil territory. We
had varying results from the use of
calcium arsenate. In some instances
the returns did not much more than
cover the cost Of the five appIica-
tons which were made. In other
cases the profit, after paying for all
costs and the extra labor involved in
picking the increased crop of cotton,
was as high as $24 per acre. In some
instances, where the tests were not
very satisfactory, the rains washed
the poison off the plants almost as
fast is it was put on.
In this connection I wish to say
there is much to learn about the use
OF calcium arsenate. There is
varying strength in the quality of
this material, which must be guarded
against. Some people will do the
spraying more carefully than others.
Some will do it at the time advised
by experts and others when they
take notion. Spraying should be
done in this section of the country
presumably about the first of July.
In other words, there is no use
spraying with calcium arsenate until
Weevil damage has Appropriated it's
maximum, which will probably be
80 per cent Of infestation. In the
southern part of the state spraying
should be done about the 18th of
June. At some season it might be
necessary to spray a week or ten
days earlier than others, or in the
case of a late season, ten days or
two weeks later than would be ordi-
narily desirable. No one can say
just when spraying should begin
The sprayings should probably be
made about one week apart and con-
tinue, say, for five weeks.
The cost will vary, but probably
SIS per acre will cover the materials,
the rent and interest on the spraying
outfit, and the labor necessary to
perform the work. We are satisfied
that calcium arsenate is an effective
means in helping to control the
Weevil, but it will never take the
place of other agencies in fighting
it, such as proper preparation and
fertilization of the land, the efficient
and intelligent use of fertilizers and
the selection of proper planting seed.
We have advised all our farmers not
but to use it, as one of the means or
agencies in helping to control the
weevil and minimizing the damage
it will preform. s., +- "."''' A."
1t has already been presumed by
some that the weevil will do less
damage in north Georgia, but we
have never subscribed to this opin-
ion. The fact is, no one can tell just
what damage it will do until after
it has infested this territory for sew
eral years. Presumably the climatic
conditions are not as favorable to
it's development in this part of Geor-
gia as in south Georgia. Apparently
we have more rainfall in the grow
ing season in this section of Georgia
than has fallen in some OF the stat
lying to the west of us. We are also
nearer to the ocean. Hence these con-
ditions may be favorable to the
weevil and the damage might be
greater here than along the same
general line west of us.
1 am disposed to think that most
of the cotton in Georgia and South
Carolina will be grown in the Pied
mont territory in the future. I
think undoubtedly weevil damage will
be more severe nearer to the coast
opium that we will continue to grow
eventually as much cotton in these
states as we have ever grown and be
able to increase our yields in &C
cordance with the demands which
may be made upon us in the future.
We will have to change out practice
materially and use more skillful and
intelligent methods than we have
ever followed in the past.
Weevil damage will vary in so far
as 1 am able to judge from about 10
to so per cent. 1 look for about 20
per cent of damage in the Piedmont
section, taking a number of years to
the average. 1t may go as high as
40 per cent and it could go even to
so per cent sometimes, though
hardly think this is likely.
I must say, however, that L
claim the right to change my
opinion relative to this matter
as have more information
and advice on the subject No one
can prognosticate on subject OF
this character with any certainty as
to the outcome.
I am familiar with the methods
you have described in Arkansas, but
assure you they would not be practi-
cal in this section of the country at
all. and I am certain that if they
used fertilizers with more skill and
intelligence out there they would
also reap a larger reward for their
efforts.