62G ANNUAL KEl'OliTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AUIUCULTURE. 



tations. About 135 acres were utilized in the plats. In some cases 

 the experiments resulted in a practical advantage to the planter; in 

 others there Avas a loss. In general, however, a prolitable outcome 

 resulted where tlie number of applications was small. This indicates 

 that there will be a distinct field of usefulness for the poison against 

 the weevil, but many questions regarding the practical application 

 of the method remain to be worked out. 



The work on the parasites of the boll weevil consisted of life- 

 history investigations of a number of species, the introduction of 

 certain forms from the older infested territory into the humid region, 

 and the local concentration in that region of parasites already 

 present. 



The investigation of the life-history and habits of the boll-weevil 

 parasites is necessary to reveal feasible means of propagation and 

 introduction. Along this line very satisfactory progress was made. 

 The work in parasite introductions consisted of the shipments to 

 Louisiana of large quantities of weed stems infested with parasitized 

 weevils related to the boll weevil. This work was done during the 

 winter, and observations were made in the spring and summer to 

 determine whether the introduced species were able to maintain 

 themselves. The experiments in local concentration of parasites 

 consisted of the collection of large quantities of cotton squares in 

 the immediate vicinity of the point where the experiments were con- 

 ducted and their concentration in suitable release cages in limited 

 areas on the plantations. As in the case just mentioned, a very large 

 amount of work was required to obtain the material and to make the 

 detailed observations that were necessary in order to interpret the 

 results. 



During the season considerable work was done toward bringing 

 about uniformity in the quarantine regulations designed to prevent 

 the introduction of the boll weevil into States or parts of States that 

 have not become infested. The outcome was a meeting held in 

 Atlanta, Ga., during December, 1911, at which the representatives of 

 the States concerned reached an agreement regarding a uniform 

 system of quarantines which will remove manj'^ of the objections to 

 the various systems that have been in effect. 



As has been the case in previous years, there was considerable 

 demand for information concerning the exact status of the boll wee- 

 vil during the season. To supply the information it was necessary 

 for agents of the bureau to make careful examinations throughout 

 the infested territory. The appi'oximate number of weevils hibernat- 

 ing successfully was thus determined by early field examinations, and 

 the probability of damage in different localities was forecasted. This 

 information was utilized extensively by planters and the cotton trade 

 generally. 



The agents of the bureau obtained accurate records of the experi- 

 ence of a large number of practical planters in producing cotton 

 under boll-weevil conditions. These records dealt with the cultiva- 

 tion of a number of varieties under different conditions, planting at 

 different dates, variations in spacing, and many other cultural prac- 

 tices. The records will be used in due time to supplement the records 

 of the accurate field experiments of the bureau. 



