Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-03-24

The cost Of eliminating the pink boil worm will
probably exceed S~6,0Q0,c00. with the possibility that q
figure Of lO,o00.000 will be attained before West
Texas is entirely freed Of the pest. The boil weevil
has cost the United States countless millions Of dol
lars. and is still with US. The movement inaugurated
by the state and federal departments Of agriculture 20
eliminate the pink boil worm before its scope covers
the entire cotton belt is to be commended regardless Of
what it may cost the state and nation.
During the past year the federal and state govern
ments have spent large sums in the effort to control
the Mexican fruit fy in the Lower Rio Grande Valley;
and heavier expenditures have been made to control
pests in the border district Of California. There can
be no criticism Of these expenditures. They were
necessary to protect American agriculture, and the
sums expended for control work on the border repre-
sent a sound investment.
II is unfortunate that the federal and state depart
ments Of agriculture were not similarly organized and
equipped when the boil weevil entered the United
States in the early SOS. Had the same control meas
ures been taken Ut that time. as now proposed in re-
spect TO the pink boil worm. the cotton industry would
have saved billions Of dollars.
The United States Department Of Agriculture has
taken cognizanee Of the fact that Mexico is the breed
ing ground for pests Of this character. but heretofore
there have been only perfunctory efforts to attack these
nests IN their native habitat. Despite all precautions
and the most rigid system Of border inspections and
embarrces the menace Of these pests will remain until
the United States. cooperating with Mexico, remedies
conditions in the Mexican interior.
The Mexican department Of agriculture i organic
inc a highly efficient corps Of experts to attack this
nroblem. but many years win elapse before the Mexi-
can department can hope to attain the same degree OF
efficiency rs the American department. In all essen
tials the Mexican organization is based upon that Of
the U. s. department Of agriculture. but efficiency in
an organization Of that character cannot be attained
in a year or two
II the United States department " agriculture were
authorized 10 expend IN Mexico the same amount nov
required IN protecting the border and controlling sgri-
cultural and horticultural pests which enter the United
States despite this rigid inspection, there is no logical
reason why the border country could not be freed CT
these pests in a few years. The Mexican department
has more authority in establishing pest zones or taking
other control measures than the American department,
and furthermore, due TO the fact that only limited areas
in the southern republic are under cultivation, the cost
Of control would be greatly reduced. In other words.
Il would be far cheaper for the United States to adopt
preventive instead Of protective measures, and effects
Of such measures would be beneficial to both Mexico
and the United States.
The Mexican department Of agriculture is keenly
alert to the situation, and has on several occasions,
unofficially, announced that it desires the cooperation
and guidance Of the u. S. department. To establish a
basis upon which the two countries could cooperate
would not, in view Of the present excellent relations, be
difficult, and such cooperation would be Of incalculable
benefit to the agricultural interests Of both countries.