Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-03
The Cotton Problem

States Department of Agriculture estimates
the 1924 American crop at 10,O81,OO bales,
which is nearly 100000 bales short of the
average annual consumption over a period
of years. Only once since 1915 has the pro
duction exceeded the consumption.
But prior to 1915 the annual production
exceeded consumption, and there accumulat-
| ed during the years surplus, which, three
years ago, was estimated at 5000, 900 bales.
The deficit between production and consump-
ton since 1915 has been taken care of by
| drawing upon the reserve, which has now
shrunk from 100000 bales to 100000
| bales.
1t is safe to assume that consumption will
continue on as large a scale as formerly,
maybe on larger scale. In that event the
reserve of 100000 bales will be exhausted
before the 1924 crop becomes available, SO
that the world today is facing the possibility
of cotton famine.
The situation accounts for the fact that
Great Britain is now engaged in, investigat-
ing new territory in which it Is hoped cotton
may be produced proitably on an extensive
scale. In word, our English cousins have
ceased to pin their faith on the American
production of cotton, which has been their
habit through the years. Their industrial
life and prosperity in considerable measure
depends upon an ample supply of cotton, and
they are frankly disturbed over the situation.
American manufacturers, too, feel the same
uneasiness.
The World war delayed the crisis that now
confronts the cotton mills.
The boil weevil is responsible for the situa-
ton that exists today. 1t is estimated by
Mr.. H. G. Hester, secretary of the New Or
leans Cotton Exchange, that the weevl has
caused a loss of $4,000 900 in the last
five years. And since its first appearance
in Texas the total damage by this little
parasite has caused an estimated loss of five
billion dollars.
Despite efforts to exterminate the weevil,
the areas affected by its devastation has
widened steadily until today practically
every cotton-producing section of the south is
infested. In these circumstances, is it small
wonder that bankers, manufacturers, rail-
roads and consumers are united in an effort
to end the menace of the weevil?
1t is gratifying to know that the bureau of
entomology and the bureau of chemistry of
the United States department of agriculture
are now engaged in experiments which it is
hoped will result in the development that
will result In the determination of the weevil.
From Cincinnati comes most encoura ging
bit of news concerning the efforts that are
being made to, cope with the weevil We
quote:
'The cotton boil weevil will be lured to his
death by the fragrant odor of, a Square
meal if Investigations now being conducted
by the Bureau of Entomology and the Bureau
of Chemistry of the U. S. Department of Ag-
riculture are successful. Dr. N. E. McIndoo,
of the former bureau, speaking before the
chronological Society of America this morn
ing, told of the distllation Of quantities Of
cotton plants in the effort to isolate the odor
which is apparently the greatest attraction
in life for the weevil.
boil weevils in captivity are difficult to
manage, DR.. McIndoo stated, and are not
given to showing preferences, but it has been
found that nothing attracts them as does the
bud of a cotton flower, called a square For
it they will forsake syrup and honey, or even
cotton leaves. Young weeYils, just Matched,
will head straight for the nearest cotton
| field, though it may be several miles away.
Working on the theory that the weevil is
able to smell some odor exhaled by the cot
ton bud which is too faint for human percep-
ton, the entomologists called in the aid of
DR.. F. B. Power and V. X. Chestnut, of the
Bureau of Chemistry, who recently Isolated
the substances responsible for the peculiar
aroma of the apple. They have distilled
very large quantities of the fresh cotton
plants, and at present engaged in a
study of the substances contained in the
distilate. Because of the completely of the
problem no results are expected for several
months.
"If a substance or group of substances at
tractive to weevils are isolated from the dis