42 ANNUAL KEPOETS OF DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



The pest apparently was introduced into Mexico in 1911 through 

 Egyptian cotton seed. Its existence there, however, was not brought 

 to the attention of the Department until November 1, 1916, when 

 some infested bolls were received from a resident of the Laguna dis- 

 trict. This discovery was followed by the immediate issuance of an 

 order prohibiting the further entry into the United States from 

 Mexico, except from the Imperial Valley, State of Lower California, 

 of all cotton seed, cottonseed hulls, and seed cotton, and bringing 

 under regulation and restriction as to ports of entry Mexican cotton 

 lint of all kinds. 



Strict rules and regulations governing the importation of cotton- 

 seed cake, meal, and other cottonseed products into the United 

 States from Mexico and other foreign countries also were issued 

 with a view to prevent the introduction of the insect with these 

 products in uncrushed seed. Accurate information was promptly 

 obtained as to the disposition of the seed which had been brought 

 across the border under permit for milling during the season of 1916. 

 It was ascertained that a total of 436 cars of seed had entered the 

 United States within the year prior to November 4, 1916, and had 

 been distributed among mills in different parts of Texas. A cam- 

 paign was begun immediately to expedite the milling or destruction 

 of the seed. This work was carried out with great thoroughness 

 under the direction of experts of the Department in cooperation with 

 the Texas Department of Agriculture, the mills concerned, and the 

 Cottonseed Crushers' Association of Texas. A border inspection 

 and control service covering all car, freight, baggage, and other 

 traffic between Mexico and the United States also was organized and 

 is in full operation. 



To enable the Department to deal more effectively with the situa- 

 tion, an estimate for an emergency appropriation of $50,000 was sub- 

 mitted to Congress on December 14, 1916. The appropriation, how- 

 ever, did not become available until March 4, 1917. In the meantime, 

 the control work had been instituted as far as possible with available 

 funds. During the growing season of 1917 all cotton fields in the 

 vicinity of the mills which had received Mexican seed were frequently 

 inspected to determine whether any pink boUworms had escaped to 

 the adjacent fields. So far, the only evidences of such escape are the 

 sporadic outbreaks at Hearne and at Beaumont. The fields will be 

 kept under constant observation during the remainder of the year, 

 and none of the locally grown seed will be used for planting next 



