1903 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 39 



On the present occasion he would bring before the meeting an account of one only of their 

 operations, as it was of especial interest and importance, namely, the Cotton Boll Weevil and 

 the methods adopted for its control. 



The Cotton Boll Weevil. (Anthonomus grandu, Boh). 



This destructive insect made its first appearance in Texas in 1894 and has ever since been 

 under the continuous observation of the Divisicn of Entomology, Its life- history and habits 

 have in this way been carefully and fully studied and many experiments have been carried out 

 in order to discover some practical means of keeping it under control. Since its first appear- 

 ance nine years ago, the insect has been spreading north and east at the rate of seventy-five 

 miles per annum, but is still confined to the State of Texas. The territory occupied by it at 

 the present time includes about 28 per cent, of the whole cotton area in the United States, 

 and this affected region produced in the year 1900 no less than 34 per cent, of the total crop of 

 the United States or one-fourth of the entire production of the world during that year. The 

 vast importance of this investigation can thus be realized. The actual amount of damage 

 caused by the weevil cannot be easily estimated, as the reduction of the crop in any particular 

 year as compared with the avei'age production may be largely caused by unfavourable weather 

 and the attacks of other injurious insects. Making all allowance for this, it is a reasonable 

 estimate that the State of Texas lost during 1902 at least ten millions of dollars through the 

 injury caused by this insect. It is thus evident that the Boll Weevil is one of the most 

 formidable menaces to a great agricultural and commercial industry that has ever arisen in 

 America or elsewhere. 



In addition to the loss occasioned at the present time, there must be taken into considera- 

 tion the fact that the insect is spreading with great rapidity and will, before many years are 

 over, infest the entire cotton-growing region of the southern States. In Mexico, where it has 

 been a recognized pest for a much longer period of time, the only limit to its spread that has 

 been observed is that of altitude ; at 3500 feet above sea-level it ceases to exist, out unfortu- 

 nately in the United States no cotton is grown at any such height above the sea. There is no 

 probability that the insect will ever be exterminated ; like many other injurious insects, when 

 once established in a region where its food-plant is abundant, there it will continue to exist. 

 It remains, therefore, to find out some means by which it can be kept) under control and some 

 plan by which cotton maybe profitably grown. This important problem, it is believed, has 

 now been virtually solved by the Division of Entomology. 



Dr. Howard then gave an account of the measures that had been adopted. Last year 

 (1902) the Division received a special appropriation which enabled it to conduct field work on a 

 large scale and to practically test the system that promised the best results. A contract was 

 made with certain planters who agreed to plant, cultivate and care for the cotton crop on their 

 lands in exact accordance with the directions of the agent of the Division ; in return an en- 

 gagement was made that the owner should be fully compensated for any loss that he might 

 sustain from ftiilure to produce an average crop. Two large tracts of cotton, one of 200 acres, 

 the ( ther of 1.50, were secured in this way and the Division was enabled to apply any experi- 

 ments that appeared desirable without incurring the labour and expense of renting the land 

 and working the crop. The experience of previous years had demonstrated that a profitable 

 crop of cotton could be secured, notwithstanding the presence of the boll weevil, by canying 

 out the following method : 



Using seed from plants grown as far north as possible in order to ensure early maturity. 



Planting as early as the season will admit, for the same purpo-se. 



Cultivating the fields thoroughly in order to stimulate the growth of the plant and its 

 early maturity. 



