39 



much less than observed in llie hiboratory. We are inclined to the 

 view that it is due either to the last two factors or to some other fac- 

 tor which has not been recognized. This discrepancy emphasizes the 

 necessity for accurately observing the actual conditions on a large 

 scale in dilferent fields in difl'erent sections of the State, constantly 

 throughout the season, if we are to obtain accurate knowledge of the 

 true habits and rate of increase of the boll weevil and the amount of 

 injury Avrought by it; and I doubt not the same principle will apply 

 to the study of many other insects. 



Regarding remedies there is but little new to say. A great furore 

 has been raised over the alleged discovery that Paris green is a rem- 

 edy for the weevil when dusted, but extensive experiments have 

 failed to shov\" that it may be of any great value in the control of 

 the weevil. Where the weevils are abundant enough for it to be 

 of benefit — for it will kill AvecAdls when they are thick enough in 

 the spring before the cotton begins squaring — they could better have 

 been prevented by destruction the previous fall, and where the 

 weevils are few in number it is of no value at all, so' far as we can 

 ascertain, and the progeny of but two weevils on June 1 will be 

 numerous enough by early in August to stop blooming and prevent 

 further fruiting. The fact is that Paris green appeals to the farmer 

 because it is claimed to be a " remedy." Now, the average farmer, 

 the country over, cries for a remedy, when by the use of a simple 

 and inexpensive preventive he would have no need for it. Therefore, 

 although Paris green may be of some value when Aveevils occur in 

 enormous numbers on stubble cotton allowed to stand, or where the 

 stalks have not been removed, it seems to me that the less said as to its 

 partial efficacy the better. Xeither Paris green nor any other poison 

 will ever control the weevil, but with slight encouragement the farmer 

 will waste much money in trying some one of them. We need in 

 such cases more entomological liygiene and less remedial treatment 

 It seems to the writer, therefore, that tlie holding out of any hope 

 to the planter that a " remedy '" for the weevil may be discovered is 

 doing him an injury. The press is ever ready to magnify any possi- 

 bility of a '' remedy." I have yet to meet the entomologist who 

 thinks the finding of a " remedy " other than those now known 

 probable or possible. It does seem, therefore, that the quicker 

 everyone in an official position authoritatively states that he is not 

 working to find new '' remedies " but to perfect the methods of con- 

 trol already known, the better it will be for the farmer. 



The past season has demonstrated to me that the " cultural meth- 

 ods," by which we mean gl•o^^ing cotton so early that a crop will be 

 made before the serious injury occurs, are not alone sufficient to insure 

 a crop. If the previous winter be dry and open and an unusual num- 



