The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-11-22
SMITH PLAN OF WEEVIL CONTROL
80 I.IS NEW AND REVOLUTIONARY

LAAS 9SA1Aofd1 vi Oil Cal ~
/ in June would actually result ir
the increase OF the yield of cotton
Mr. Smith calculates that if this
method had been universally used
in Florida this season the cotton
| crop outturn would have been in
creased over s32 per acre.
While the Smith weevil control
methods relate to liberation, the
date of planting cotton. the strip
ping Of the squares and bolls if
any about June 5; they also have
relationship. to the weevifs life his
tory. In former days it was
thought that the cycle of the wee
vii was from twelve to fifteen
days. IF so there would have been
no Smith formula. AS fact. thirty
days elapse between egg depositing
say on June S, and the develop
ment into an adult weevil capable
of deposfting eggs. This thirty
days of freedom of weevils in the
field allows plenty Of time for pro-
ducing a bottom, middle and a
top cotton crop. This discovery
Of the weevirs cycle is new and
exceedingly important. Male and
female weevils are about equal
Both feed on cotton bolls and
square flares up and drops Off. Both
in Florida and here many weevils
develop throughout the winter in
the fields. Energence in Florida
often begins IN January. Under
the Smith method emergence must
be complete before square strip
ping and this throughout the south
has been found to be about the fifth
of June. though along in May
emergence may have reached as
much as 85 per cent.
The Smith method relates wholly
to the winter weevil and not to
the summer. The square picking
and the busting Of the bud must
be syncnronous with the last and
total emergence of weevil, say
about June IS. Therefore, the
planting Of cotton early in March
or late in April (and not late
Narch) would totally upset the
Smith formula and would not be
effective. The weakest point in
the weevils life, and the proper
tine to attack him the strongest,
is. at this time of total emergence,
which is an attack wholly on the
winter weevi1 and it is done be
fore the cycle Of the summer Wee
vii has begun. OF course, there
would be no summer weevil if the
winter weevil could be exterminat-
ed. The plucking of squares and
early bolls and the burning of
them destroys the young Of the
early emerging weevi1s - these
early weevils themselves having
died-and poisoning kills Off in the
terminal buds the later emerged
weevils.
As is we'll known when weevils
eat squares and bolls the plant inn
mediately takes on height and ex-
ira size and this is true under the
Smith method of square plucking.
Okra is q first cousin of cotton
and 1t is well-known that strip
ping the okra plant OF its early
crop makes the plant put on a
much heavier crop. Now, the same
is true Of cotton Within this thirty
days Of immunity to weevil from
June the cotton plant puts on
Immediately a large crop of
squares. These mature early and
spontaneously. This allows the
destruction OF all stalks in the
field by October I or 5. and this
destruction is a part of the Smith
plan and it is necessary part
In all plans of weevil control. Al
though the lesson here is plain
enough for the most ignorant way
farer, yet not 10 per cent Of our
agriculture obeys this rule, but al
lows the fields to breed winter
weevils all winter:
a careful study will show that
the Smith methods all dovetail into
each other; The whole thing works
like clock work, but no clock work
and no comTlete technical work
can ever be done on the mental
level Of the non-guided negro
share cropper and renter If the
Smith method is to be left to the
mental lever and carelessness OF
the share crcpper and renter, then,
do not begin it. The Smith method
Will not admit Of carelessness and
Indifference as to the time of plant
! ing cotton nor as to the time OF
I,renaoying the squares from the
plant In other words, it takes
brains and devotion to grow cot
{ ton under the Smith method. On
| the other harl1, it takes brains to
do anything worth while in this
world:
Constructively the Smith method
seems to be a method of common
sense It shows beautiful research
work and in Florida it certainly
has been found to be a scientific
method. But, suppose through
some cause OR by neglect or
lack of, clock work the farmer
late in June or early in July finds
infested fields. Then what is to be
done? 1t is plainly seen that he
can begin and keep up the usua,
busting method. He does not lose
his crop because the Smith method
failed him. He always has the dust
ing method as g final recourse.
1t seems that we viii, have a