THE BOLL WEEVIL PROBLEM. ON 
Early Prolific and Simkins have given good results in recent experi- 
ments of the State Crop Pest Commission of Louisiana. In all cases 
it will pay the planter to exercise care in obtaining seed. Wherever 
possible it should be obtained from the originator. 
Heavy cotton seed.—The Department of Agriculture has called at- 
tention to the advantage of planting heavy cottonseed. (See Farmers’ 
Bulletin No. 285.) This should be taken into consideration along 
with other means of obtaining an early and vigorous stand. Another 
recent suggestion of assistance in obtaining an early start in the 
spring is that the planting be facilitated by covering the seed with 
paste. This method will make it possible to use an ordinary corn 
planter in putting in cotton seed and facilitate the work of check- 
rowing. This matter is discussed fully in the Farmers’ Bulletin just 
referred to. 
Early planting.—Another step to be taken in obtaining an early 
crop, and fuily as important as those that have been mentioned, is 
early planting itself. Naturally no set rule can be laid down as to 
the proper date for planting. There is much variation in the seasons, 
and it is sometimes impossible to place the fields in readiness as early 
as is desirable. Much of the effect of early planting is lost unless the 
seed bed is in good condition. Rather than plant abnormally early 
it would be better to improve the seed bed. It is not recommended 
that planting be made at dangerously early dates. Nevertheless, with 
proper preliminary attention to the fields it would be possible for 
farmers in most localities to plant from 10 to 20 days earlier than 
they are accustomed to at the present time. This, therefore, is the 
general recommendation that is made. It is much better to run 
the risk of replanting, provided the seed bed is in good condition. 
than to defer planting on account of the danger of cold weather. Of 
course it is possible to plant entirely too early, so that the plants 
become stunted during the early days of their growth. It is not 
intended that planting should be made early enough to have this 
effect upon the plants. 
ADDITIONAL EXPEDIENTS IN HASTENING THE CROP. 
It was pointed out in connection with the enemies of the boll weevil 
that under natural conditions a large percentage of the weevils is 
killed by heat and parasites. The wide spacing of the cotton plants 
augments the action of both these agencies working against the boll 
weevil. The effect of sun heat has been studied in many cotton 
fields. The mortality becomes remarkably high during the hot days 
of summer. The farmer can take advantage of it, and even increase 
it. It is very conservative to state that the weevils will be able to 
multiply only half as fast in fields where there is plenty of distance 
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