99 



crust that may form after rains should be broken up as soon 

 as possible. 



Harvesting.^ — Let this be done as quickly as the bulk of 

 the crop is open. Every effort should be made to have ready 

 the necessary labor supply for this work as soon as it may 

 be done. Remember always the need for keeping a winter 

 cover crop on the soil and for clearing the way for the early 

 destruction of the stalks. The earlier these may be destro}'- 



cd the better. Their destruction constitutes the 

 last step in dealing with the cotton crop each 

 year where the boll weevil is present and is 

 also the first step in preparation for the next 

 crop of cotton, even though the cotton may 

 occupy some other field through the system of 



rotation. 



CONCLUSION. 



We hope that we have made plain that the coming of the 

 boll weevil is assured, and that we shall very soon have to 

 reckon with it constantly in the culture of cotton. We 

 hope also that what we have said may help the cotton plant- 

 ers of the State to face this serious question more intelli- 

 gentlv and more courageouslv than thev would otherwise 

 have done. In spiie of the admittedly serious nature of the 

 weevil as an enemy of cotton, there is no need for a "feel- 

 ing of panic" if the recommendations given herewith are put 

 into practice immediately. Their general application will 

 improve the conditions of farai life, increase the value of 

 farm property and multiply profits to both owners and ten- 

 ants. In most sections where the weevil has already gone 

 there have been heavy losses during the first two or three 

 years of infestation because planters have been slow in 

 adopting just the changes in cotton culture which have been 

 outlined herein. They have thought at first that they were 

 perfectly familiar with the best methods of raising cotton, 

 and that no "scientists" could tell them anything about it. 

 As a result, they have been finally forced to give up cotton 

 altogether, or to adopt ]»art, at least, of the methods which 



