The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1922-10-16
GROWING COTTON.

c., was in Abbeville this morning to
discuss with the farmers of the city
and county the subject of growing
cotton under boil weevil conditions.
Mr.. Evans has been connected with
the United States Department of
Agriculture for a number of years,
being one of the first demonstration
agents ever appointed. In addition
{ to this he has been engaged in fight
ing the boil weevil for seventeen
years. and is prepared to give sound
advice on the subject.
One of the things Mr.. Evans said,
which by the way is overlooked very
often, is that the fight against the
weevil cannot be waged the same
way under all conditions and in all
localities. Referring to the advice
sent out last spring that the poison
ing of the weevil be deferred until
ten per cent. of the squares were
,spunctured. Mr.. Evans stated that he
believed this sound advice in the
Delta country, but here, where the
plants grow only about foot high
and when comparatively few bolls
ever grow on the single plant, he be-
lieved the fight should commence
early, and be made consistently.
This has been the experience we be-
lieve of those who have undertaken
to poison the weevil this year. If
the old weevils can be killed as they
come from their hiding places in the
winter, and if the squares are kept
picked up in the early season, there
is no reason why cotton cannot be
grown.
Mr.. Evans emphasized the ad-
vantages to be gained from plowing
under the cotton stalks. The weevil
does not eat when he is in his place
of Information. But until that time
he does eat, and his food at this
season of the year is the green
leaves on the cotton plant. If these
are destroyed, there is space of
time between then and frost when
many of the weevils will starve to
death. It is for this reason that
movement just now is on foot to in
duce planters everywhere to destroy
their stalks as soon as the cotton is
picked.
Mr.. Evans believes strongly in the
poisoning of the weevil by the cal
cium arsenate method. He believes
with the authorities of his depart
ment that dusting is the best meth
cd, but he is not prepared to say
anything against methods which. 9TH
er people find effective. He, however,
says that the experiments Of the
department to which he is attached
have shown dusting to be the best
method Of applying the poison. He
thinks the dust will be cheaper in a
few years and that the means of ap-
plying it will be made more effec-
tive, as will also the poison itself.
Mr.. Evans holds out encourage
ment to the man who has determined
to whip the fight. He says that can
be done without poison even. We
are mot prepared to follow him all
the way, because in years like the
last two years, we do not believe
cotton can be grown here successful
ly without it, Certainly not in those
sections where the infestation has
been so great. Farmers in McCor-
mick County, and in the lower sec
ton of Abbeville County, will bear
US out in this opinion we believe.
However, he has this to say, and
there is something in it, that every
man will get the benefit of his own
work in trying to fight the weevil,
Until the period of migration comes
the weevil does not move about
much, and does not 60 from one
field to another. During this period
the early crop is grown and the far
mer who is able to keep the weevil
whipped during this period may
make sure of crop.
Mr.. Evans advocates the work Of
soil-building and Of growing feed
and food crops as an effective means