26 THE MEXICAN COTTON-BOLL WEEVIL. 



reference to precipitation, the presence of timber, and temperature. 

 It is clear, therefore, that the only criterion by which to judge the 

 future damage of the weevil is the effect it has exerted on production 

 in eastern Texas, where, as has been shown, there has been a consid- 

 erable decrease in production. 



INDIRECT LOSSES CAUSED BY THE BOLL WEEVIL. 



The foregoing discussion has dealt altogether with the direct losses 

 caused by the boll weevil, but it is to be noted that there are certain 

 indirect losses which must be considered. It is not alone the farmers 

 who are affected. The reduction in the size of the cotton crop imme- 

 diately affects the ginning and oil-mill industries in which large 

 amounts of money are invested. The railroads, banks, and mer- 

 chants are also concerned. In fact, the disturbance extends through- 

 out the community. In the case of many parishes in Louisiana one 

 of the first results of the invasion of the boll weevil has been the 

 reduction in the assessed valuation of farm lands. In all regions, for 

 at least a short time, the price of farm properties has been reduced. 

 Likewise in many localities the invasion of the insect has caused the 

 exodus of large numbers of tenants and even of landlords. In the 

 former case landowners have found themselves without the labor to 

 run their places. Losses due to such disturbances can not be esti- 

 mated, but it is safe to say that they reach an aggregate amount at least 

 equal to the direct losses which are caused. 



COMPENSATIONS FOR LOSSES CAUSED BY THE BOLL WEEVIL. 



In spite of the great losses caused by the boll weevil it must be rec- 

 ognized that certain compensations are returned. The insect forces 

 a diversification of crops. There is no doubt that there is a tendency 

 to place too much dependence in the South upon the cotton crop. 

 When the ravages of the boll weevil reduce the size of this crop mate- 

 rially or make production of a cotton crop hazardous, the farmers 

 must change their system of cropping materially. This results 

 directly in diversification and animal husbandry, and thus tends 

 toward a more logical and profitable system of agriculture. Of course 

 it would be much better if this change could be brought about by less 

 revolutionary means and with less loss than is caused by the boll 

 weevil. The tendency for many years has been toward diversification, 

 which was certain to come in time. The boll weevil has undoubtedly 

 hastened it and has thus in a broad sense offset, to a certain degree, 

 some of the direct losses which it has caused. It is to be noted, how- 

 ever, that in many cases this forced and, in one sense, premature 

 diversification of crops has resulted disastrously. In some localities 

 extensive and rapid growth has taken place in fruit raising and market 

 gardening. In some of these instances the new industries have devel- 

 oped with abnormal rapidity and without the proper foundation. 

 This was the case in extensive plantings of potatoes made in 1909 by 

 the cotton planters of Avoyelles Parish, La. The result has been 

 that unless carefully managed the new lines of farming have failed 

 and there has been a tendency to return to the cultivation of cotton. 



The boll weevil also tends to eliminate the indifferent and unprogres- 

 sive farmer. He is driven either to the city or to some other locality. 



