98 



the complete removal of their only food it forces the disper- 

 sion and starvation of the weevils already adult. Obviously 

 the longer the period between the destruction of all green 

 cotton and the occurrence of the first killing frosts, at which 

 time the weevils may go into winter quarters with most as- 

 surance of survival, the more complete Avill be the destruc- 

 tion of the adults. 3. It removes a large amount of rubbish 

 within which those weevils which escape destruction would 

 find the most favorable conditions for their successful hib- 

 ernation. 4. It prevents the development of adults emerg- 

 ing shortlv before frost. These are the weevils which or- 

 dinarily stand the best chance of living through the winter. 

 ^^llere one weevil nuiy live through the winter if stalks are 

 destroyed by the loth to the 20th of October, there will be 

 at least ten survivors if the destruction of stalks is delayed 

 until the middle of November. There is a constant increase 

 in the percentage of survival between these dates. 



Preparation of the Land for Cotton. — This should be 

 more thorough than is usually given. On light soils 

 fertilizers are needed for cotton, and those containing 

 a relatively large percentage of phosphoric acid tend to pro- 

 mote the early maturity of the crop. 



Planting. — Let this be done as soon as danger of frosts is 

 passed. Early planted cotton invariably does better than 

 even medium planted where the weevil occurs. It is desira- 

 ble that the planting in a locality should be done as near 

 the same date as possible, so that all of the cotton will be 

 coming on together. The weevils thus have no chance to get 

 a start upon any of the fields. Plant the rows at such dis- 

 tance apart as has been found to give best yields in any field. 



Chopping. — Chop to a stand early, as this gives the plants 

 that are left a better start. Space the plarts as has been 

 *ound best for vield in anv field. 



Cultivation.— ^This should be frequent .'.nd shallow. Its 

 first object is to keep the soil in favorable c*on/iition for pro- 

 ducing a steady and rapid growth of the crop. The destruc- 

 tion of weeds is accomplished incidentally. The surface 



