The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1922-06-07
PRESENT WEEVIL CONDITIONS
No Need for Extreme Pessimism As
To Damage.

No Need for Extreme Pessimism As
To Damage.
Clemson College, June 6.-After a
conference here between Director w.
|W. Long, of the Extension Service,
Prof. "A. F. Conradi, Entomologist,
and V. v. Williams, until recently
associated with B. R. Coad at the
Delta Laboratory and now with the
Extension Service to conduct poison
ing demonstrations in this state, Di-
rector Long issued a statement on
the boil weevil situation to the ef-
feet that. many of the insects now
present on cotton in various parts of
the state are not boil weevils but
cowpea pod weevils, and that farm
ers need not become panicky over the
presence now of abundant boil wee
wills, since the real loss to be expect
ed depends on weather conditions in
June and July. Director Longs state
ment, which should tend to temper
the alarm now felt by many, is given
below:
"a great majority of the weevils
in most of the cotton fields at this
time are cowpea pod weevils and not
boil weevils. These insects in most
cases look so very much alike that it
lis difficult for the average man to dis
tinguish them. The cowpea pod wee
vii is not primarily cotton pest but
occurs on cotton only temporarily in
the absence of cowpeas. This pest is
most injurious along the line from
Barnwell to Marlboro County. In this
belt it is expected every season at
this time, and the most successful
practice is to delay chopping Of
young cotton until the attacks are
over. Wherever these insects attack
cotton that has been chopped to a
stand the value of rapid thorough
cultivation cannot be over estimated.
Summer Weather Main Factor.
"The fact that the boil weevil
passed the winter in great numbers
and may be expected in cotton
fields at this time in unusual abund-
ance, does not necessarily mean great
damage to the cotton crop. Situations
like this have occurred before in the
history of the weevil in this country,
where they came out of winter-quar:
ters early and in great numbers,
causing a panicky condition among
! the farmers. The loss that we may
expect depends on the weather condi-
tions of June and July.
"With the approach of hot weather
the present generation of weevils may
yet be practically destroyed, so that
the abandoning Of a cotton crop at
this time could hardly be justified by
the records. The cotton should be CIV
en- frequent and shallow cultivation
to keep down the weeds and to air
the soil. As the bulk of the cotton
crop in South Carolina is made by
share-croppers, the women and chill
dren should be used to pick weevils,
and this should be so supervised that
it is done with great thoroughness,
otherwise it has no value whatever.
"The damage done by weevils in
iuring the bud at this time is fre-
quently overestimated, the only effect
being slightly delaying the growth of
the plant.
Farmers prepared for dusting are
advised that the first dusting may be
given in heavily infested fields about
the time fruiting begins, and this to
be followed by the second application
when ten to fifteen percent of the
squares have been punctured, at
which time three dustings should be
given in succession four days apart.
Infestation counts are easily made
by anyone and directions are furnish
ed by the Extension Service"
BIGAMY CHARGE AGAINST