242 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 1 



the fields as thoroughly as possible, including the turn-rows and along 

 ditches and fences and under timber fringes. This thorough treat- 

 ment is even more essential in sontli than in north Texas, although 

 in the latter portion of the state it seems advisable. 



As has been frecjuently pointed out, this early fall destruction pre- 

 vents absolutely the further breeding of weevils and many of those 

 partly developed in squares or bolls will not be al)le to mature. The 

 late developed weevils are most liable to hibernate successfully. By 

 destroying the most favorable shelter which the weevils that escape 

 destruction could possibly find, the chances of their surviving the 

 winter are greatly lessened. In a variety of ways, therefore, the ac- 

 tual number of weevils entering hibernation becomes very greatly re- 

 duced and the chances of the successful hibernation of those entering 

 are correspondingly decreased. The number of weevils ready to at- 

 tack the crop the following spring Avould, with these practices, be but 

 a small fraction of what might otherwise be present. 



The Demonstration. — That these conclusions are correct and prac- 

 ticable has been proven by actual field application on a large scale. 

 At Olivia, Texas, in the fall of 1906, about twenty planters on ad- 

 joining farms Avere persuaded to enter into agreement to do this work 

 by i\Ir. J. D. ]\Iitchell. All stalks were destroyed upon an area of about 

 40 acres between October 1 and 10. fhis area was well isolated from 

 other cotton, but had been badly infested up to that time. A check 

 area some six miles away across a bay received the usual treatment. 

 No special treatment was given to the Olivia tract during 1907. In 

 spite of the fact that the survival of weevils, as has been shown, was 

 unprecedented during this intervening winter, they did not become 

 numerous enough to do any considerable damage to the Olivia crop, 

 while on the check area they were exceedingly injurious. Although 

 the Olivia crop was grown on soil that was not as rich as that in the 

 cheek, it yielded more than 1,000 lbs. of seed cotton per acre, whereas 

 the check yielded but about 300 lbs. per acre. The difference in value 

 of these two crops was fully $20 per acre, or more than enough to pay 

 for the land upon which the crop at Olivia was grown. 



The Difficulties.— If there were no obstacles in the way of an easy 

 adoption of these recommendations, it is not likely that the same neces- 

 sity for them would exist. Any prospect for a late "top crop" of 

 cotton is removed by the presence of the weevils. Every experience 

 shows that the crop must be made early. The difficulty of getting 

 sufficient labor is great in some sections. It is evident that there is 

 necessity for the production of an efficient machine for cotton picking 

 to meet this need. The actual destruction of stalks may be accom- 



