93 



Tlie map shown as Fig. I presents graphically the 

 present known distribution of the weevil as well as the 

 advance it has made over the area indicated since its first 

 appearance in 1892, From a study of tlie insect's means 

 of reaching new territory it has been estimated that 

 the weevil will be a£ work throughout the entire cotton 

 belt of the South in 15 to 18 years. In Texas during 

 the past ten years the weevil has made an annual ad- 

 vance of about 50 miles. 



Having this danger in mind and to prevent the ac- 

 cidental or intentional introduction of the pest into the 

 State tlie last Legislature passed the following law, 

 which is here quoted in full : 



An act to prevent and prohibit the importation of 

 seed from cotton affected icith Texas boll weevil. 



Section 1. — Be it enacted hij the Legislature of Ala- 

 bama, That no person shall import or bring into the 

 State of Alabama any seed from any cotton affected with 

 what is known as the Texas boll weevil, nor the seed 

 from any place ^^•here the cotton has been affected with 

 said boll weevil. 



Sec. 2. — Any person who violates the provisions of 

 Section 1 of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, 

 and, on conviction, shall be fined not less than ten dol- 

 lars (flO.OO) and not more than five hundred dollars 

 (1500.00). [H. 877. Xo. 559. Approved Oct. 6, 1903.] 



Legislation can, after all, however, do nothing more in 

 this case than build up public sentiment and arouse inter- 

 terest in the weevil problem and if cotton planters permit 

 the weevil to become established in this State it will be 

 the result of their own neglect. Planters and others will 

 confer a great benefit upon themselves and upon the 

 State by promptly reporting and sending specimens of 

 any suspected boll-weevil to the Alabama Experiment 

 Station. All such insects should be killed with chloro- 

 form or other means before being forwarded through 

 the mails and then be enclosed in tin or wooden boxes. 



