The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-10-21
GAL-ONE
AN INTERESTING LETTER IN
REGARD TO BOIL WEEVIL

sent out inquiries to states that have
been visited by the boil weevil asking
r the general effects on the prosperity
: of those states of the visitation of the
weevil. Mr.. Wannamaker says that
the replies which he has received are
to the effect that in most instances
the weevil has proved blessing IN
disguise. 1t has been followed by
crop diversifcation. Following is a
letter from P, L. Downs, chairman
Agricultural Committee:
| Temple, Tex, Sept. II, 1920.
Mr.. ]. 8. Wannamaker, President,
American Cotton Association, St
Matthews, s. c.
Dear Mr.. Wannamaker:
Replying to your inquiry OF the
10th with reference to the depreda-
ton of the boil weevil in your cotton
section, I beg to say that I can fully
realize the position Of your people
and understand their problems, be-
cause We have been all through q
similar condition.
Quite a number Of years ago,
happened to be travelling in Mexico,
making an extended trip over that
republic Seeing the awful devasta-
ton wrought in that country by the
boil weevil, became very much
interested in the situation. Upon
my return home, submitted to in
terview, and wrote direct articles to
the various farm papers and most
prominent daily papers in the state,
urging that the state and national
authorities should take every pre-
caution possible to keep the pests
from coming across the Rio Grande
river, emphasizing the fact that
when once they crossed the Rio
Grande the cotton crop Of the entire
religion would be subjected, soon or
late, to the devastating pests.
No attention, apparently, was paid
to the matter, at least, the subject
matter was regarded too lightly, or
the expected depreciation too remote
to admit of any worrying on the
part of those who should have been
interested.
Subsequently, just as expected,
reports came in from the lower
counties in Texas, tributary to the
Rio Grande, that the boil weevll was
depredating in those countries. i
again urged the farmers in those Sec
tions, through the public prints, to
take every precaution possible in the
matter of poisoning, or cultural
methods to protect themselves, and
stamp out the weevil, and prevent
them from going further east and
north, and urged the prominent
papers of southern Texas to give all
possible publicity to the necessity of
stamping them out as promptly, and
as completely as possible. l felt sure
that they would gradually spread
until their work Of destruction had
covered the entire cotton belt. The
farmers did not look upon them with
any dread, and consequently took no
action whatever toward combating
the pest. Each year the insects would
cover a few more counties, con-
tinuing to come further east and
north, until all of south, and lower
central Texas, and east Texas was
covered, when they crossed the Red
river and got into Louisiana.
Col. Marsten of the latter state
came over to see me and spent sew
eral days with me, looking into the
matter of the destruction, or pre-
vention, of devastation by these in
sects, and the best means Of Destroy
ing them. He returned home, and
inaugurated vigorous efforts toward
poisoning them, and made an inten-
sive campaign toward combating
the spread of the pests, urging the
cooperation of the national govern
ment in. his endeavors. He sent me
numerous articles contributed to the
various journals in that state, and
otherwise indicating his earnest ef-
forts directed along these lines.
After the insects had invaded
Louisiana, Mississippi and tributary
sections there was lull in their de-
vastating work in this state. Per-
sonally, 1 never did lose sight of the
fact that they were here, and were