The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-06-22
NOW THE Time TO
FIGHT BOIL WEEVlL.
INFORMATION THAT is WORTH
WHILE TO COTTON GROWERS
BY DIR. WHITE OF GEORGIA.

BY DIR. WHITE OF GEORGIA.
"When do cotton squares begin to
form?" This is question which we
now fear not many farmers can an
Swer.
A few days ago the writer stated
in an article that the time to begin
a fight on the weevils was just be-
fore the squares begin to FORM.
"When is that? ?" has been the sur
prising response.
Farmers have not had occasion to
study the growth habits of cotton
closely, but scientists have and hence
we turn to scientists to find out when
the cotton plant begins to form
squares.
In bulletin 10S of the Georgia ex-
pertinent station, DR.. II. c. White,
of the University of Georgia, tells
US that cotton planted April 20 pro-
duced its first form Of squares June
9. That would make Al days after
planting time, but DR.. White watch
ed closely and observed that they set
squares on an average of "a days
after the seed began to sprout.
This cotton had its first bloom
July 6, or 81 days after the first
square was formed. The first open
boil was September 1.
Thus it will be seen that the time
is near when the squares or forms
appear on the cotton, which is the
time when the boil weevils begin to
do damage.
Reports have been sent out that
the boil weevils were killing young
cotton. Such reports are, Of course,
without foundation. Boil weevils do
not kill cotton. If any insect is kill
ing young cotton plants it is not the
boil weevil for the weevil destroys
only the cotton squares and bolls.
This it does by its breeding habits
and not only by its feeding habits.
The fact is that when weevils de-
stroy the squares the growth that
would have gone into the squares
goes into the stalks which shoots up
taller and larger than the plant not
infested with weevils.
Therefore, boil weevils do not kill
cotton plants, but indirectly promote
their vegetative growth.
It is found that it is difficult to
convince farmers that the boil wee
vii is harmless until squares begin
to form and also that boil weevils
can not reproduce until they can lay
eggs in the squares.
If they would understand this, a
great deal Of their present measiness
would be allayed. Therefore, we en-
phasize again that boil weevils are
not now doing any damage to cotton:
They have no way of doing damage.
They do not destroy cotton by feed
ing and there will be no damage m-
til squares form in which squares
they can lay eggs that hatch out in
to worms and until the worms or i'm
mature weevil begins to feed.
Again let US emphasize that the
boil weevil is not now producing
young. The small weevils are ma
ture. They are runts. When farm
er learns more about boil weevils
he will know that weevils change
color as they grow older. The young
are pinkish brown, the middle age
brownish black and the older are
grayish. See If you can find any.
other than grayish weevils in your
cotton before squares form, and be
convinced.
If cotton was planted in April it
is apparent that now or within a few
days is the time to poison the old
weevils on the cotton before they
have a chance to destroy squares.
For the general guidance of the
cotton farmer we would say that the
application Of poison to kill old vice.
wills should be made from 35 to 40
days after planting.
Let US say again what was said
in a previous article: There is no
good reason for putting more than
one application of poison on young
cotton, before squares form. One
will do the work if it is put on at
the time indicated. If put on earlier
it will miss some Of the weevils that
have not come out from their winter
quarters. q -,
Of course, if a heavy rain comes
along within "a hours after the pois-
on is put on, then another should be