The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-03
STATE INFESTED 1 BY BOIL WEEVILS
 SAYSAUBURNMAN
Alabama Farmers Using
 Poison More Than Ever Before

AUBURN, Ala, July 2.-(special.) ) In larger numbers than was expected boil weeviis haveNappeared in cotton fields of Alabama. Concurrent with this, farmers are putting forth more -determined and better organized effort to control them by artifiical means, especially by poisoning. This is the gist of the present boil weevil situa- tion in Alabama as summarized by Prof. J. NJ. Robinson, acting entomo- logist by reports from the county agents and from farmers and business men. sk The appearance of boil weevils ap- < pears to be general throughout the \ state, although they are more numer- Nous in some sections than ip1 others. 1n the extreme northern part of the where it was believed that the severe cold of last winter killed most of them, official reports are that they are rather numerous.
 Wherever organized boil weevil con trol work is being done the bankers and merchants are taking q very active part. They are encouraging farmers to use the right kind of poison in the proper way as instructed by the county demonstration agents. Bankers and merchants are not only encouraging this personally but they are sending let ters to their customers; and, in some counties, they are cooperating in all advertising campaign in order to i'm press upon farmers the importance of proper boil weevil control work. .
 Reports indicate further that fake boil weeyil catchers and poisons are re- ceiving little attention by Alabama farmers. In some counties such things are being offered for sale but the farm CTS who are poisoning are following closely the latest state and federal in formation as recommended by the coun. ty agents. It seems that home made sweetened poison was extensively used for: the pre-square application but for later applications dry calcium arsenate is the chief poison being used because it is the only one officially recommend ed. Through the farm bureau calcium arsenate is being bought at an attrac, tive price,. which is enabling farmers to poison at a comparatively small cost. The sentiment throughout the state is to destroy weevils now when they are fewer in number and when the death of one weevil is equivalent tc N death of several few weeks later
 Pays To Poison
 In 1923 an average net profit of over
 per acre was received for all cot.
 that was carefully dusted in ex.
 riments throughout the state. Re
 rding possible profits from poisoning e boil weevil a circular recently iblished by the extension service said
 It will pay to poison if the weevils Fe really injuring your crop serious
 and if your land is sufficiently fer le to yield at least one-third bale pei ere with weevil injury eliminated; ana
 your farming organization is suct hat you feel assured that the poison Till be applied at the right time and D the right manner; and if you art siling to spend the full amount neces
 10 proSide N adequate supply o
 and proper dusting machinery
 You should not poison if the cos
 calcium arsenate, plus the labor tt pply it, and the depreciation on thu Qusting machines will total more pel Ecre than the current value of 10( bounds of seed cotton.
 Hand guns of the cheapest typt Vhould be figured as depreciating 10C per cent in season and the larger machines about 25 per cent"