The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-06-08
Established in 1891.
Future Weather
Tells the Tale


conference here between Director w.
w. Long, of the extension service,
Prof. A. F. Conradi, entomologist,
and V. V. Williams, until recently as
sociated with B. R. Coad at the Delta
Laboratory, and now with the extern
sion service to- conduct poisoning
demonstra tions in this state, Director
Long issred statement on the boil
weevil situation to the effect 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 farmers need not
become panicky over the presence
now of abundant boil weeyils, since
the real loss to be expected depends
on weather conditions in June and
July. Director Longs statement,
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
is difficult for the average man to
distinguish them. The cowpea pod
weevil is not primarily a 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
can not be over estimated.
''The fact that the boil weevil pass
ed the winter in great numbers and
may be expected in cotton fields at
this time in unusual abundance, does
not necessarily mean great damage
to the cotton crop. Situations like this
have occurred before in the history
of the weeyil in this country, where
they came out of winter quarters
early and in great numbers, causing
a panicky condition among the farm
ers. The loss that we may expect de-
pends on the weather conditions of
June and July.
with the approach of hot weather
the present generation Of weevis
may yet be practically destroyed, so
that the abandoning of cotton crop
at this time could hardly be justified
by the records. The cotton should
be given frequent and shallow culti-
vation 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
children should be used to pick wee
Wis, and this should be so supervised
that it is done with great thorough
ness, otherwise it has no value what
ever.
''The damage done by weevils in
juring the bud at this time is fire.
auently over-estimated, the only ef-
feet being slightly delaying the
growth of the plant.
Farmers prepared for dusting are
advised that the first busting 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 per cent. of the
squares have been punctured, at
which time three dustings should be
given in succession four days apart.
Infestation counts are easily made
bv any one and directions are fur
nished by the extension service"