The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-19
SAYS BULL WEEVIL IS MORE DAMAGING THAN CATERPIL PILLAR
Renders EnCouraing Report After Visiting Madison And
 Morgan Counties
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
 THE Af3E-AERALD M0ntEomery. Ala. AuE. ISt

No material damage ihas been done to cotton by the leaf worm in this state, says F. W. Gist, agricultural statistician, after a personal inspec- ton in Morgan and Madison counties. Reports have emanated from several north and west Alabama counties, in- cluding Blount, Cullman, Etowah, TuscalOosa, Pickens and the two vis- tied by the crop statistcian. The in- festation was practically simulta- neous in all these counties and it may be reasonably assumed that about the same conditions obtain, ex- cept for possibly a difference in the age of the crop, which may vary 8 few days.
 It is stated by MT. Gist that all worms found in the fields vsiited are either just webbing up or at the age for webbing. The infestation seems to be spotted, being confined to a field here and there. In only one in- stance was any effect noted except partial eating of a portion of the leaves, no shucks of squares or small bolls having been attacked In one field in Madison county one or two young tender bolls were noticed to have been eaten into on one side. It is apparent, therefore, that the first infestation was, as usual, light and scattered.
 ANOTHER ATTACK COMING
 About three weeks will elapse be- fore another generation will be ready to begin deyouring the cotton fo- liage. By that time in most Of tho counties the crop will have been made, especially where boil weeviI infestation Is sufficient to destroy what Is always referred to as the top crop. This condition will probably obtain in most of the section, except in the extreme northern counties, where the severe freeze in March caused a light infestatien of weevl.
 In the two sections visited person. ally by MT. Gist farmers have been diligently poisoning the worm by applications of calcium arsenate. Several fields were seen where these applications had apparently dissi- pated the infestation, no worms being found even in the web. Of course, when the moth flies about laying the second supply of eggs these fields may be reinfested, as well as others; but as stated above, it will be rather too late for material damage by that time.
 Farmers in all infested areas be- came quite uneasy at the first ap- pearance, in some cases almost pam l ieky This is explained by the fact that the leaf worm is easily visible to the eye, both in it's person and in the results of it's feeding, while the WeeNll works lnsldtously and under cover. Each female weevil, however, punctures 250 squares or bolls in the egg laying process, while both male and female punctures the full num- Der required tC supply daily food. The weevil, therefore, in proportion to equivalent numbers. accomplishes by far the greater volume of damage. It is significant, however. observes MT. Gist that very few farmers can be induced to poison against the weevil, while they rush to the wires and work Sundays to fight the less destructive leaf worm.
 O O O
 VIII XII Weevils.
 Mir. Gist does not hesitate tC say that should the leaf worm make a re- newed attack after an even chance for putting on permanent fruit has passed the net result will be equiva- lent to an early killing frost so far as the weevil is concerned, in that thu weevils' food supply will be con- sumed and the number going into Information will be thereby lessened. In the heavily infested weevil coun- ties of south Alabama the farmers uld like to have the leaf worm now.
 It is possible, thinks MT. Gist, that the intensive poisoning done in northern counties may have a deter ring effect on the weevil as well. In the two counties visited the sweevil infestation is very light.