The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-02-04
PLANS Fight
AGAINST vEEyIL
Anti-BOlI Weevil Meeting
Held Wednesday,
DlVERSIFECATiGN
IS URGED

Early Planting, DiycrSificati0n and
Economy as Instruments to Fight
Boil Wnevil. Maximum DHniugc
Next Year.
DVersi1ication Of crops, seed sclec-
ton and rigid economy were pointed
out as the means of overcoming the
boil weevil at the anti-boll wcevil
meeting held in the court house last
"Wednesday. The meeting was not
largely attended, probably on account
OF the inclement weather, but close at
tention was given to the addresses of
the day. Before the close of the meet
ing tn following resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas, the farming interests Of
d4aurens county are seriously threat
ened with disaster from tho boil wee
vii, and
Whereas, the chief money crop of
our county is cotton, therefore be it
Resolved, That we encourage such
rotation of crops as will enable the
farmers to live at home by giving spc-
supplies. such as pindars, potatoes,
hogs, high grade cattle, the elimina-
ton Of all scrub sircS and special at
tcntion directed to the care and growth
OF all heifcrs and be sure you have at
least zone SOW for every plow and for
every family one COW"
And in order to do this we would
urge a rigid course Of economy and
the practical restriction OF cXpendi-
cures to actual necessities instead OF
luxuries, thereby opening up lib
cral bank account instead OF demand
ing credit for every need of The farm.
1t has been the general result OF
boil wecvil damage in the infected
districts that money becomes exceed
ingly scarce and it is absolutely nee
essary that a surplus be laid aside be-
fore the lean years reach our indus
trial interests.
We further recommend the build
ing OF sufficient Warehouse room on
the farms as vel as at shipping
points to care properly for not only
the cotton crop but all other farm
products Of value.
And in conclusion we do not rccom-
mend reduction in cotton acreage
for 1920 but earlier planting and a
more intensive and rapid cultivation.
The meeting was called to order by
Farm Demonstrators NJ. D. Moore, who
introduced Mr. d w. Watkins, Of
Clemson college, who presided. Mr..
Watkins, in making few remarks,
said that the boil wcevil would prob
ably attain small damage in the coun-
ty this year and maximum damage by
next year. To offset its ravagcs he
urged divcrsiGcation and rigid econ
omy.
Mr. II. r. Mcconnell, another mem
Der Of the party on tour. also predict
ed early damage in this county from
: the boil wcevi. TO fight the weevi,
he said farmers should turn under
cotton stalks, clean off terraces and
other hibcrnating places and divcrsi-
fy their crops. TOO much depend
ance, lie said, could not be placed on
poisoning the wecvils as no practical
machine had yet been invented to ap-
ply the poison. "A mild winter follow
ed by wet summer make a favorable
climatic condition for the wcovl to
spread, he said, and as climatic con-
ditions are variable there could be no
certainty of q cotton crop once an
area had been infected. IIe held out
small hope Of complete destruction of
the pest.
DR.. Fl. Is. Aiken, president Of the
Iaurens National Bank spoke on the
financial side Of farming. He pointed
out how the farmers and the public
generally could make the banks more
useful by dopositing their money
rather than carrying 1t around In
pockets or keeping it at home. Money
deposited in bank is made available
for commercial purposes and for the
upbuilding, Of the community, while
money tied up in q sack at home was
idle and Of no benefit to anybody but
was liable to be stolen or lost. 1t is
surprising, he said, the amount OF
money kept in private possession. pos
sibly more than is deposited in the
banks, especially in this section.
Mr.. w -. Stokes, seed specialist,