604 ANNUAL RKPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE PINK BOLLWORM. 



PRESENT STATUS. 



The work of eradicating the pink hoUworm is in better status now 

 than ever before, both from the standpoint of substantial reduction 

 as to the infested areas and of suitable legislation and efficient 

 cooperation on the part of the vStates and planters concerned. 



As a result of interstate cotton conferences held in Washington 

 and in Texas in 1921, fairly adequate wState legislation has been 

 obtained and good cooperation is being ha'd with the States in this 

 effort at eradication. 



The real danger will come just at this period when the insect seems 

 to be practically eliminated, and planters and others may come to 

 the false conclusion that it is not necessary to continue the work 

 and cost. The inspection and field work is more necessary and 

 should be prosecuted with more intensity at this stage than at any 

 other if ultimate success is to be gained. 



Incidentally it may be said that this effort at eradication has 

 resulted in the protection at a comparatively trivial cost of the 

 cotton crop not only of the three States concerned but probably of 

 the entire South, and, whatever the outcome of the effort, has been 

 tremendously worth while from this standpoint alone. 



As to Louisiana, no infestations by the pink l^ollworm were found 

 in any of the old areas or elsewhere in the State in 1921, nor has 

 there been any reappearance in that State determined so far this 

 year (October 1, 1922). Louisiana may, therefore, be looked upon 

 as possibly free from the pest. 



In Texas, as to the older infestations in the eastern part of the 

 State, but a single infested boll containing a single larva of the pink 

 bollworm was found in the large Trinity Bay district in 1921. There 

 has been no return of the pest in the Hearne district since the original 

 clean-up in 1917, and this area may now be released as absolutely free 

 from the pest. In the western areas of infestation in the Pecos 

 Valley and in the Rio Grande Valley near El Paso, noncotton zones 

 have never been established, and the pink bollworm reappeared very 

 scatteringly in 1921, as was to have been expected. As long as the 

 outcome in eastern Texas was uncertain, neither the planters nor 

 the State authorities have been willing in these western areas to 

 abandon the growth of cotton in an effort to completely eradicate 

 the pest, but if it can be held to these western areas, which are 

 separated by wide and uncultivated and fairly desert tracts from 

 eastern cotton cultivation, they will present very little greater risk 

 than occurs from the pink bollworm in Mexico. 



The situation in New Mexico in the Rio Grande Valley and in the 

 upper Pecos Valley is similar to that in western Texas. 



The only new outbreaks by the pink bollworm during 1921 were 

 two very incipient infestations in Ellis and Grayson Counties, in 

 northern Texas, originating from shipments of seed from Carlsbad, 

 N. Mex., made prior to the determination by the department of 

 infestation at the latter point. These new outbreaks were immedi- 

 ately and vigorously taken hold of by the State and Federal au- 

 thorities and thoroughly cleaned up and noncotton and surround- 

 ing regulated zones established for 1922. No infestation of the crop 

 of 1922 near these points has so far developed. . They present a sit- 



