Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-21
knock Ont the Boil WeeyiI Now


arsenate" has been the slogan of
the Georgia State College of Agri-
culture since this fnethod was first
discovered to possess practical val
ue. Our first campaign was begun
In 1919. The results were summa-
rived by Prof. FRANK E. Ward, our
cotton specialist, and published as
Bulletin 1876. This pamphlet was
WIDELY distributed throughout the
istate, and the conclusions reached
and presented therein are still large
ly in accordance with the recommen-
dations now regarded with the
most favor. The control of the boil
weevil by poisoning with calcium
arsenate is therefore not a, new
proposition, and, if the people of
Georgia had listened to the advice
given them on this subject as at
tentfvely as they should. our losses
from this pest would have been
greatly minimized.
Surely we have learned our lesson
iand will fight this pest most assld-
uously and persistently during the
cotton growing season now at hand.
Last year we lost 900 bales or
cotton after it was made S the re-
suit of our failure to poison prop
erly or continue the fight for long
enough period of time. The 1lSht
on this pest need not extend over
A period of six weeks, or at most
two months. BY taking proper
forethcught, the control of the Wee
vR often be accomplished in
2aUofimately thirty days. Let us
harvest that 100000 bales this year.
We need it as never before IN our
financial history, and we can do 1t,
If we proceed to this task with IN
telligence and purpose in our hearts.
In the light of what is now
known, it is safe to draw the toll
lowing conclusions relative to the
weevil situation, and the plan of
campaign which should be lnstltu-
ed against him:
What is known as the Coad or
Government method of poisoning
the weevil by busting with calcium
arsenate must be regarded as the
most successful method yet devised
for fighting this pest. Under its
provisions, dust is applied three to
four times in succession at intervals
Of about four days. busting should
begin as soon as there is an evil
dence of a ten per cent 1nfestatlen.
This appears to be the safest and
best method to follow from the
standpoint of efficiency and the Ia
Dor and expense involved. The nib
ernated weevils make their way to
the bud of the cotton plant as soon
as they emerge. They frequently APP
pear in the fields in considerable
numbers before any squares are
formed. The destruction of these
weevils is an important matter, for,
as a rule, a large per cent of those
which have passed through the win
ter successfully have emerged before
the first squares appear. If these
d-weeVils, as it were, are de-
stroyed, then the size of the sue
ceeding broods will be materially
decreased. Three methods of poison
ing hibernated weevils in the bud
may be followed:
i. One may dust with dry calcium
arsenate.
2. Mop the bud with a molasses
and calcium arsenate mixture.
3. Follow what is known as the
FLORIDA method
Dry busting with calcium arsen-
Pate in the bud before any squares
appear is regarded by many as the
most practicable method. Where a
calcium arsenate and moIasses mix
ture is used, an application should
be made just before the squares are
large enough to be punctured and
then again a few days later. Begin
this work just as soon as ten to
twenty adult weevils are found per
acre. The mixture is, of course.
gallon of syrup or molasses, and
one-halt to two gallons of water
The syrup does not attract the Vice.
ltvils, but helps to hold the moisture.
The amount of water to use in pre-
pairing the mixture will depend upon
seasonal conditions. hopping seems
10 be the procedure many of our
farmers favor. There is no objection
to 1t, though we doubt l. the work
can be done in this manner at a
lower cost than would pertain If the
dust were applied to the bud at this
stage or the growth of the cotton
plant. AS soon as the cotton plants
begin to branch and spread out,
hopping will naturally become inef-
1ectlVe busting must then be re-
sorted to. The idea Is to thoroughly
bathe the plant in a fine cloud OF
aust. The work must be done at a
HnIe WHen tnere Is little il any
WIND but some dew on the plants.
Good machinery should be used
Tor purpose. Fairly effective work
can be done with hand machinery
on small areas. Hand, or mule. ba elk.
twS,row machines may be used on
areas with fairly good results.
I@Wo'row, mule.drawn, power
uFNfer is good type to use on
moderate sized farms, and where
cotton is grown on a large scale.
tWomule. three or four row ma.
chlne should be purchased Remem-
Der that the thorough and complete
dusting of the cotton plant is the
end IN view, and equipment that will
enable the landowner to accomplish
This end must therefore be regard.
sd as constituting the best perma-
nent investment. While the outlay
involved for this purpose may be