Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1921-05-18
URGES Use OF
BOIL WEEVu
POISON HERE
County Farm Agent Descnb
Big Saving 1t Will
Afford

l. y. Richardson. Cameron county
agent, discussing the Increased activi.
ties Of the boil weevil in Cameron county
said today that the pest. if left alone,
would result in considerable loss 70 the
cotton planters. There in only one ef-
fective remedy. he declared-the use OF
calcium arsenate.
One Of the elements" be said. "in
chcapening the cost ~ production. N in
creasing the per acre yield. The most
successful and practical method Of con
rroi yet discovered is by the use OF cal
cium arsenate as directed by the United
states Department Of Agriculture thru
the Tallulah Laboratories.
This method has been tried out in
the Rio Grande Valley since 1919, and
has proven satisfactory 10 those who
have used il in u great majority OF
eases. One test showed a difference be.
tween poisoned and imprisoned plats as
ollows:
six tenths of an acre test plat on
the j. :. Wilhelm farm was poisoned
SIX times. About two Of these poisonings
were made necessary on account of rains
occurring too soon after poisoning. 80
really about four effective poisoninga
were made. The poisoned plat yielded
Iu2 pounds 90 seed cotton a. against
us pounds for the imprisoned plat. This
Indicates that il il possible Ia pay the
cost Of poisoning and yet realize hand
some profit by the control Of the weevil.
TO use this method successfully Il
is absolutely necessary that poisoning
begin at the proper time and those who
nfs lat n
rangements for the necessary machinery
and be sure that the poison will be n
vailable when needed. cannot stress too
strongly the Importance Of being pre-
pared to start poisoning at the proper
time
The hand gun. costing around $50.
ran be successfully used on a small acre
age. but one of the hnrse-driven ma
chimes is much more -effective. and AZ
brirs = OileR laarhiIe requiring sils horss
TO draw can be had for about 800. n
will cover several times as much area
a. hand gun mt a much less effort, and
| q" IL more effectively. The larger ma
chimes drawn by two horses. which sell
for around $50 this year. can be de-
pended on 20 handle mn much acreage
as the larger cumbersome machine used
two years ago.
Arrangements should be made FOR n.
bout twenty pounds II calcium arsenats
for each acre of cotton. ns IL may re-.
| quire that amount 70 make n full crob
and n smaller amount may he practically
J wasted should a later poisoning h. re.
| quired and the poison not be available
Detailed instructions will be given upon
request ~ the county agent and he will
be glad 10 conduct demonstrations ir
each community IL required.
/ ''Thc weevil Is already operating n
considerable numbers. and. with favor.
able weather for their multiplication
threaten 10 reduce the crop seriously
| this season IN not controlled. Cultural
\ practices that help to hold them IN
| check should not be neglected whether
one intends poisoning or not These
4 practices include thorough and frequen,
cultivation and the encouragement 81
the crop 10 set it's fruit as early in tn,
season as possible.
'The poison 70 be used should by nj
| means be tested before using This must
be done mt the government Iaboratorie.
| and is another reason why the poisor
should be purchased far enough In AL
vance II its actual use to secure ar
analysis and report upon its suitabilit,
/ for the purpose before it's use IL ac
tualy required. The county agent vii
procure this work for those who sub.
nit samples of the poison
| There Il NJ doubt ~ the value ot
| this method where properly used. hut II
| used in haPhazzard manner we coulC
not advise one 10 use IL M all Will
! these points in view I desire to stress
the importance of being ready by hav.
ing secured the material and the ma.
-hine-y necessary and nj the proper
time. Further assistance and advice will
~ given upon request to your county
/ agent"