Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-17
WEEWL POISONING
INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN
BY STATES EXPERT

Ira w. Williams, general field
agent Of the state board of ento.
mology, has issued general instruc.
lions for the use of mixtures con,
tanning calcium arsenate for com.
batting the boil weevil. Mr.. viii.
liams makes it clear that he does
not sponsor or guarantee these mix.
lures, which have been developed by
private parties, but says that favor.
able results have been obtained in
many instances where the mixtures
were properly compounded and prop.
erly applied. The instructions fol.
low:
Owing to the high price of cal
cium arsenate, a great many people
are going to use some of the differ
ent syrup and liquid mixtures. The
board is not sponsoring any Of these
mixtures, but when they contain
the proper amount Of arsenic the
board approves their distribution
and makes the following recommen-
dations: For poisoning up until the
time that the cotton begins to
will be made at that time
"If the the farmers field Is in.
fected with the weevil, it is most i'm
portant that he applay calcium arse
nate in some form two or three
times in the bud of every stalk of
cotton before it starts to bloom. Cal
cium arsenate in the dust form, in
our experiments In the past, has
given satisfactory results. Syrup
mixtures of calcium arsenate and
molasses properly mixed have given
good results up to the time of
blooming.
THE board has not made extern
sive experiments with syrup mix
lures, and is therefore not in posi-
ton to write instructions as to the
use of them, other than putting it
in the buA Of the cotton, which Is
sufficient for the present recommen-
dations. Neither are we in position
to give instructions for mixing, as
we have not made experiments with
the different percentages. We will
say this, however, that syrup mix
ture should be thoroughly mixed and
held as much, as possible in suspen-.
sion, and should also be manufac-
tured in such way that it will not
fermet. This is important. If the
syrup and arsenic is not thoroughly
mixed 1t will not give the best re-
suits, and should fermentation take
place 1t is liable to set free water
soluble arsenic and burn the plants.
I'VE give the above facts for the
knowledge of the farmer, and he
should be able to decide for himself
the most economical way of using
and applying the poison, as the es-
sential thing for the present recon-
mendation is to get it in the bud of
the cotton and he should decide for
himself the least expensive and most
practical way for him to do this,
taking into consideration the condi-
tons of his own farm.
"These recommendations require
a minimum amount Of calcium ar
senic while the cotton Is small and
starts to bloom. The last applica-
ton of early poisoning should be
made just as the first bloom appears.
1.-THE above is the recommends
ton of the Georgia state board of
SAhIOAAOAOSy LIZA IA1S COIIIL VI LIlS
boil weevil.
1.-THE law requires that all the boil
weevil remedies shall be registered
with the state department of agri-
culture, and the rule of the state
board of entomology is that before
they are allowed to be sold in the
state they shall be shown from
analysis to contain a sufficient per-
centage of arsenic to kill the weevil
The board further approves for sale,
and use, those which
have, from our knowledge and ex.
perience, merit in them. Not having
had sufficient time to make the neces-
sary experiment for recommendation
for control of the weevil, the board
is willing, with the above state.
ment, that the farmer should use
his own judgment as to results,
whether or not it will pay him to
buy and use these remedies which
are approved by the board for pois-
oning the weevil. but which the
board has not had the necessary
time to try out as to cost and prac.
teal application"