The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1920-03-25
Plan to Fight Spread
of the Pink Boil Worm

The great damage to the South's
staple crOp-cotton-that would result
from the general spread of the Mexican
pink boil worm is recognized by all.
steps must he taken to prevent the
inrOads Of this little pest. That all
may know the seriousness Of the situa-
ton it is to be seen here that In those
localities where the worm has already
appeared it is proposed that no cotton
he planted. In other words. it Is
planned to hedge around the areas Of
infestatiOn and thus prevent Il genera
spread Of the delretlators to other
sections. The appended article. from
the New Orleans headquarters Of the
American Cotton Association. not only
| deals with the above suggestions. hut
speaks Of planned legislation In this
direction. suggested quarantine nlea-
Sures, and compensation for those who
may not plant cotton. therefore Is
timely just now. 1t follows below:
While Louisiana is taking practical
steps to make determined fight
against the Mexican pink boil worm
which has appeared in Cameron. Cal.
ca>ieau and jefferson Davis parishes
other states realizing the menace
threatening them II Louisiana fails to
control the pest. have declared drastic
quarantines against Louisiana. and
Florida has appealed to the Federal
Horticultural Board to declare Il fed
eral quarantine against Texas and
Louisiana. covering not only cotton
seed but lint. and linterS.
| The American Cotton Association
Louisiana Division. took the initiative
in the steps to combat the pest. and
when the action Of the Florida Plant
Board was taken Oh the 18th. Chair
man W. II. Thompson wrote to Dr. G.
:. Marlatt. Chairman Of the Fedora
Horticultural Board. pointing out thai
such a drastic quarantine as proposed
by Florida was unjust. and unneces
S;iry: that this state was alread,
taking steps outlined by him and Dr
Hunter as necessary to meet the Situa
ton and that referendum Of til,
newly elected legislature was bein:
taken Oh the question Of the necesslr r!
laws. and compensation for the plant
ers Of cotton in the region to be de
elared noncOtton zones.
Also. Commissioner of Agrfcultur,
Harry Wilson wrote the senator's am
congressman from Louisiana urgin,
this view Of the matter.
Saturday of last week DIR. Marlat
wired Mr.. Thompson as follows:
Notice Of public hearing to be hel,
by Department Of Agriculture II
| Washington April 9th was issue,
Yesterday, to consider advisahiiffy 8
uuarantining all or portions Of Texa
and Louisiana account Of pink bol
worm infestation. The occurrence
this insect in Louisiana and its re
appearance in Texas makes this actiO
necessary. 1t is my hope that til
steps already taken by Louisiana t
give full cooperation in control me;l
SureS. and particularly the prohibition
Of the growth Of cotton in the area
known to he infested. will make
possible to limit the restrictions unde
Federal quarantine to such areas i
Louisiana. Copy Of notice Ond state
ment issued by department mailed t
YOU to-day
Mr.. Thompson Immediately too
steps to arrange for a delegation to =
to Washington and present the situi
ton before the board. Among thos
who will comprise this delegation are
Clarence Ellerbe of Shreveport. Joh
Z. Parker Of Monroe. y. c. Williamso
of East Carroll. w. NJ. Davidson G
Tellsas. and f. O. Iayone Of Mach
toches. Commissioner Harry ID. vii
son will olso make the trip.
The referendum of the newly electe
Legislature. taken by kilograms frol
Governor Pleasant. Governor Elet
John NJ. Parker and Chairman Thoml
son. is also completed. More than
ma jority of both houses have respOnde
by telegraph or mail. all favOril
necessary legislation to combat I'll
pest, and all but few. favoring son
form of compensation to the cottO
producers who are thus deprived I
the opportunity of growing any crops
) Last Thursday the Texas Chaml,
= Of Commerce took up the question ;
; il big meeting held in Dallas. to co
slider the quarantines that had bet
placed against the state by. Oth'
states. and it aroused the authoriti'
to determined action to cooperate wit
the Federal entOnlologiSt> in eardica
ing the pest from the infected area
; The main question in Texas il prOvi
" ing the compensation for the farme
;; who live in the noncotton zones. The
is law providing this compensate
but no appropriation was made
: meet it.
:: The failure to recognize the mena
ut this time. will result in Il wor
,: disaster to the South than the bt
-S weevil infeStatiOn. which could ha
). been prevented if proper steps h;
d Eeen taken. The authorities are ali
$. to the situation. hut reports from sol
sections of the state indicate skep
cism which is most dangerous.
Serving Him Right.
Have you Loves Young Dream