The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-21
DETERMINATION IF
 BEAN BUG PLANNED
 BY PSYCHOLOGISTS
Experts of Southern States In Conference Here Plan to Save Crops Valued at
 S25,000,0O0

Far into last night the entomologists of ravages Of the bean lady-bird pest. and were formulating steps for it's extermina- tion.
 The bean and pea crop of Alabama alone is valued at $25, 900 per annum, and every dollar of that crop is menaeed.
 The entomologsts have come to the conclusion that the s75,O0O originally asked of the Alabama legislature to fight it is not adequate, and that if an adequate amount is not forthcoming, the fight may as well be given up.
 The lady-bird travelled much further than at first thought. She has gotten as far as Mentone, in the northeastern part of the state, and is suspected to have drifted into Georgia.
 The conference held in Birmingham yeA7 terday was participated in by the state entomologists of Alabama, Georgia, Louls- iana Arkansas, Mississippi and Florida, called here by the Alabama state ento- mologist, Dr. W. k. Hinds, of Auburn. The United States department of agricul- ture is also represented.
 Dr. George c. Starcher, dean of the hor- ticultural department at Auburn, is also here and J. H. McCary. president of the Alabama Horticultural Society, is in attendance Speaking of the matter, Dr. Hinds said:
 INSISTED FIELDS I've visited infested fields of all varle- ties of table beans and cowpeas especial llv. The lady-bird does not attack cotton, corn, potatoes or other crops not members of the bean family.
 "The afternoon session of the confer ence was devoted to a general discussion of the situation, and to formulating plans | for a future programme, in which all states may cooperate with maximum 1 amount of protection and assurance ana with a minimum of interference with ag- riclllture and commerce. The situation IS 1 already serious and calls for other states 1 to protect themselves from the introduc- l tion of the pest through commercial i movements
 1 .'The farmers are represented by the president of the Alabama Farmers Uniou' M C. Dinsmore, and Secretary HICKS, | and the Truckers Association of Jeffer- son county is represented, and is earnestly enlisted in the campaign to contne the contagion.
 | "At the night session there was further | Idiscussion of the matter which blds Iaii 1 to assume national scope. as all states grow large quantities of beans soy oeahs and cowpeas upon which the people de- Ipend largely for important food supphes' ] forage materials and soil fertility
 VALUE OF CROP
 1 "tr Alabama the annual value of this
 crop is more than s25. 600 GOO. It has m creased in value 1000 per cent In ter
 years, following our campaign for diYersit lied crops incident to the appearance oi inc boil weevil The effect of thls ne" pest. if unchecked, will be to undo largeiy inc good done by diversification. | "Farmers claim that they cannot afroro
 to lose this important crop, ana thal l,,s orts
 roonev needed to destroy the pest should be forthcoming. ! Dr. Hines went on to say that much would be needed for police work in th' adjacent territory not yet infected pS the lady-bird, and that the amount here, ltofore specified as the sum needed IS no nearly sufficient to cover the more eN tensfve field which the pest has covered and that which if threatens
 | Result of the conferences will be ein
 hodied in a formal report to the leSlsla ture accompanied by request for the sun deemed necessary to eliminate the pest.