The Boll-Weevil Problem. 15 
The fact that the weevil moves about very little except at one 
season is of great benefit to the planter. The movement referred to 
is of little importance after a region has become infested, because it 
does not begin until after the time when a crop normally is made. 
The limited movement during the rest of the year makes it possible 
for any individual farmer to obtain the best results from his own 
efforts in fighting the pest. The danger that his efforts will be 
thwarted by the arrival of weevils from fields where no precautions 
have been taken is not important enough to warrant any farmer in 
deferring action on account of the indifference of his neighbors. 
METHODS OF CONTROL. 
Control of the boll weevil is beset with many difficulties. The 
weevil’s insidious methods of work in immature stages within the 
fruit of the cotton plant, the habit of the adult in seeking protection 
for the greater part of the time under the bracts of the squares, its 
enormous power of reproduction and adaptability to new conditions, 
all place it in a class by itself. These difficulties are further increased 
by many peculiar requirements of the cotton crop itself and the fact 
that a successful method of control must naturally be one which is 
practicable under the average conditions of cotton culture. 
In spite of these difficulties, however, satisfactory means of con- 
trol have been developed. These are the direct and the indirect 
methods, both of which are of vital importance. The importance of 
indirect methods is often more difficult for the farmer to appreciate 
than that of the direct; but, in reality, successful weevil control can 
not be accomplished unless full advantage is taken of every possible 
method, and the campaign must be based upon a combination of 
the different methods rather than concentrating all efforts on direct 
control. 
The farmer is aided in his fight against the weevil by a number 
of important natural factors which tend to reduce the possible weevil 
damage. Some of the more important of these which must be taken 
into consideration in planning a fight on the weevil are as follows: 
(1) The weevil is practically dependent on cotton for reproduction. 
(2) The mortality of the weevil during the winter is very high. 
(3) Hot, dry weather during the summer exercises a tremendous 
control upon the weevil stages, while moist, cloudy weather removes 
this control and greatly accelerates multiplication. 
(4) The weevil is attacked by many different species of insect 
enemies. 
(5) The emergence from hibernating quarters during the spring is 
slow and prolonged until well into the summer. 
(6) Larly in the season, on account of comparatively low tempera- 
tures, the development of the weevil is much slower than during the 
midsummer months. 
