Pocahontas star herald., 1923-03-30
WARNS AGAINST FAKE
WEEVIL REMEDIES

The present great interest in the
boil weeyil problem in the Southeast
ern states has resulted in a large
number Of patented preparations and
machines which are being vigorously
exploited, says the United States
Department of Agriculture. This is
a repetition Of what has occurred in
regions invaded by the boil weevil.
/ During the first few years the farm
ers are exploited and many useless
devices are sold to them. In a few
years, however, history shows that
such organizations go out of bust
ness. Their operations are especially
important at the present time Since
the losses caused by boil weevil will
be increased by the expense of buying
nOstrums of various kinds.
The claims for these preparations
are not based on scientific tests al
though in many cases the persons
exploiting them are undoubtedly sin
cere in their belief that they will
yield good results. Generally speak
ing they are based ON misrepresenta-
tiOns of what occurs in the field. To
determine whether remedy is ef
fective, it is necessary to have con
troll areas and to consider the effects
Of numerous cultural practices. 1t
is very easy for an unframed observ-
er to attribute TO some preparation
he has applied, the beneficial re-
suits of some variation I'm climatic or
cultural factors.
The Department Of Agriculture and
many of the state experiment sta
tiOns have tested the new boil weevil
remedies which have been proposed
from year to year and many of those
now being offered the public are not
essentially different from the kind we
have tested and discarded.
The Association of Southern Agri-
cultural Workers at the recent con-
vention at Memphis considered the
whole problem of boil weevil control
and, in addition to certain cultural
methods, it recommended the con-
sideration of three remedies.
This convention heartily endorsed
the use of the busting method in
areas where the yield of cotton was
high enough TO warrant the expense.
IL also endorsed the Florida method
for the region in which it has been
proven applicable, and further recon-
mended extensive tests of this meth
cd in other regions of light yields.
In another paragraph it called at
tention to the fact that the molasses
arsenate treatment, although not vet
subjected to sufficiently detailed ex-
perimental tests to warrant its en-
dorsement, had apparently given re
suits over a wide area that warrant
ed further consideration and IL there |
fore recommended thorough and inn
mediate tests of this method by state |
and federal agencies.
The state and government institu- |
tions are anxious TO help the farmers
through the agency of any new meth
DDS of controlling the boil weevil |
which may be discovered. As prom
pity as possible careful tests are con
Quoted. The department strongly re-
commends that farmers exercise due
caution in spending money for new
boil weevil remedies. In all cases
farmers should demand evidence of /
official tests and communicate with |
their experiment stations for detailed
Information regarding any Of the new /
remedies. If anything Of value is dis
covered by the state experiment sta
tions or by the federal depart
ment, prompt and widespread notice
of the fact will be given the public
In the meantime It is safe to say that
in all probability any money spent for
patented mixtures or machines will
he wasted.