The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-09
NATIONAL WAR
WACED THE
COTTON PESTS
Southern Cotton Com
mission Decides to
Organize on Perma-
nent Basis to Garry
on Campaign in In
terest Of Cotton

tereSt OF Cotton
Memphis. Dee. 5.-Permanent
organization Of the Southern Cot
ton commission, which for two
years has operated as an unoffi-
cial body. to consider the prob
lens Of the cotton growers and to
suggest remedies for many of the
ills from which the industry has
suffered. was unanimously decid-
ed upon at the closing session
here late today of the Southern
Cotton congress.
Legislation providing for the
continuance of the organization
with its membership named by the
governors or legislatures of the
cotton producing states was draft
ed and approved and will be sub
mitted to the various legislatures
at the earliest possible moment.
Taking for granted the adoption
of such legislation, the permanent
organization was formed with r.
o. Everett. Durham, n. c., as
chairman and Thomas B. King Of
Memphis, as secretary.
A legislative program for the
cotton producing states. whihc
will have the backing of the com
mission and which looks toward
closer cooperation of the states
with the United States department
of agriculture in all matters relat-
ing TO the eradication or control of
crop pests, quarantine laws and
also for making the recommends
tions of the department and of the
cotton commission effective in the
various states. was drafted and ap-
proved.
1t was the understanding Of the
delegates. officers said, that each
state would seek to have adopted
that part OF this legislative program
which was needed to supplement or
strengthen existing laws, or which
might be made necessary by de-
yelopments in the future.
The commission went on record
as strongly indorsing any legisla-
ton that would provide for more
research work. both by the depart
ment of agriculture and the states
which would aid the cotton grower
in increasing or improving his
yield OR in the control of insect
pests. The pressing need for addi-
tional experimental stations for the
study of cotton enemies and dis
eases was stressed.
At the closing session, Secretary
of Agriculture Wallace pledged
the support of his department to
the proposed plans for aiding the
cotton growers.
The situation brought about by
the limited supply, of calcium ar
senate, the most effective poison
yet found in fighting the boil wee
vii. was discussed at length. Gov
ernment experts had warned that
the arsenase supply in sight
would suffice to treat only a small
percentage of the cotton area in
the south.
Resolutions adopted provide for
the appointment of a special COM
mittee from the cotton commits
sion to cooperate with the United
States department of agriculture
and the various state officials in
securing the largest possible sup.
ply Of arsenate. Where an ade-
quate supply of the poison is not
availa bic to cotton growers the
urge that cultural di-
rections found by the department
of agriculture to control to some
extent the ravages of the weevil be
adopted by the planter. The meas
ures involve early planting. the
planting of the same variety in
each community, heavy fertilization
and the destruction Of the cotton
stalks as soon as possible after the
cotton is picked.
In connection with the spread of
the pink boil worm the resolutions
recommend immediate and drastic
action to control the movement of
the pest and all states not having
rigid quarantine laws governing
the control of insect pests are urg-
ed to adopt measures similar to
that now in effect in Texas. In
connection with this pest. estab-
lishment of mon cotton growing
zones" is suggested where-'er nee,
essary with arrangement for the
adequate compensation of the
owners for losses sustained
More stringent laws governing
and safeguarding the purity and
standards of all insecticides used in
fighting cotton pests are suggested,
and the statutes Of Alabama on this
subject are cited as worthy of
adoption by other states.
The resolutions highly commend
the work of the bureau of en-
tomology of the United States de-
partment of agriculture in cooper
ating with growers in the cam
paign against enemies of the cotton
plant and urge that the appropria-
tions for the research and expert
mental work of this bureau be
largely increased by congress
Closer cooperation between the
growers Of cotton and the forces of
the department of agriculture is
also urged.
Efforts of the department to
work out policy, which would
prove most serviceable to every de-
na..t,nnpt ~ tho cotton industry in