The Boll-Weevil Problem. 93 
is not impoverished to the extent that it actually needs fertilizers 
under normal conditions, but it has been demonstrated many times 
by the different experiment stations in the South that the maturity 
of cotton frequently can be hastened materially by the use of fer- 
tilizers. On impoverished soils, moreover, fertilizers containing a 
high percentage of nitrogen give increased yields under boll-weevil 
conditions. 
The proper use of fertilizers is a very complicated matter. In 
fact, in the light of all present knowledge only the most general 
rules can be laid down. Each farmer must experiment with the 
soils upon his place and study the results to obtain the greatest 
benefit from fertilizers at the smallest cost. In the eastern portion 
of the cotton belt most of the farmers have acquired this experience. 
In the West, however, this training is lacking. Farmers interested 
should communicate with the State experiment stations and obtain 
the latest bulletins regarding experiments with fertilizers in their 
own regions. 
By far the best method of building up soils so that early crops 
of cotton may be produced is the use of legumes planted either with 
corn or solid. In the alluvial soils of the Mississippi Valley re- 
markable results in obtaining increased yields under boll-weevil con- 
ditions have followed the growth of cowpeas for a single season. 
The use of cover crops is also of great importance and worthy of the 
careful attention of all planters in the infested territory where the 
practice can be fitted into their plan of operations. 
The relation of fertilizers to the determinate growth of the cotton 
plant should be carefully considered. With certain varieties and cer- 
tain soils the plants have,a decided tendency to cease squaring about 
the middle or latter part of the season and to mature at that time. 
This habit has been termed the “ determinate growth” of the plant. 
According to the time it occurs, this may be an advantage or disad- 
vantage in the fight against the weevil. If it occurs too early it is a 
decided disadvantage, because this cessation of squaring produces a 
food shortage which causes the weevils to attack the bolls with 
abnormal severity. Consequently, it is very desirable to have the 
cotton continue squaring long enough to protect the full crop of bolls 
to maturity. After the bolls are safe, however, the squares are a 
liability rather than an asset, since a large number of weevils are 
produced from them and enter hibernation well prepared for sur- 
vival. In utilizing fertilizers the farmer should plan to supply his 
weevils with an abundance of food until his crop of bolls has ma- 
tured beyond the point of injury and then the sooner his cotton stops 
squaring the lighter his infestation will be the following season. 
