28 
ine effect easily causes cotton to shed. This is especially true if the 
solution used is a trifle too strong in dissolved arsenic and its applica- 
tion is accompanied by the scorching hot suns of midseason. Hence, 
after squares are being produced, a lesser proportion of arsenic is 
used and the insoluble arsenate of lead is increased. The proportion 
of molasses is reduced, for the reason that, when the plants get larger, 
so much greater quantities of the solution have to be used per acre 
that the cost of the molasses becomes quite an item of expense. Then, 
too, the plant surface is larger, the weevil comes in contact with the 
sweetened bait more freely, and a lesser amount will answer the pur- 
pose. If, however, the planter makes his own molasses and has plenty, 
it will) be advisable to use 2 gallons of molasses in each formula. 
Avoid using glucose or sirup, as they are inclined to gum and clog the 
nozzles. 
The arsenate of lead, when thoroughly mixed with the molasses, 
causes the solution to adhere better, and tends to prevent its running 
off so readily in case of rains or heavy dews. 
It is a poison and is itself rather sweet, so that, in addition to its 
adhesiveness, it increases the probability of poisoning the weevil. 
Heavy dews dissipate the dissolved arsenic too freely, and as the 
arsenate of lead is not soluble in water, it is more lasting, and has less 
tendency to cause shedding by its too free or frequent use in repeated 
sprayings. For this reason the quantity is increased in the mid- 
summer formula. 
: WHEN TO SPRAY. 
The fact that early in spring the weevil is compelled to feed more 
exposedly on young cotton makes it of the greatest importance to 
spray while that condition continues, or until squares begin to be pro- 
duced. The cotton should therefore be sprayed once and thoroughly 
before the first squares are formed. Of course, the first spraying 
should be upon the trap rows. On these the sweeter solution should 
be used. For the first application to the main crop, the trap-row 
formula should be used, but as soon as squares begin to form freely on 
the main crop the second solution isrecommended. Inordinary seasons, 
when the planter can work and plan with some certainty, there should 
be no occasion to continue spraying throughout the entire season. 
It is to be noted that the cotton plant grows vigorously during the 
early portion of the year and midsummer. The increase in exposed 
limbs and surfaces, due to the new growth at the growing ends of the 
branches and main stems, confronts us with the proposition that a week 
after spraying the plant has doubled in exposed surfaces and foliage, 
and hence but half the plant is covered with the poisoned solution. 
The portion not covered is the young and tender part, which consti- 
tutes the choice lodgment for the weevil. Hence up to midsummer, 
while cotton is thus growing so rapidly, the entire fields should be 
