THE BOLL WEEVIL PROBLEM. 45 
of them will destroy a certain number of weevils, but the habits of 
the insect are such that none has been found to yield results that pay 
even a small portion of the cost of operation. It is emphasized in 
this connection that there are plenty of proper ways in which all 
available mechanical ingenuity may be utilized in the fight against 
the weevil. There is great need for effective machines for assisting 
in the destruction of the weevils in the fall, and also for assistance 
in the cultivation of the crop. The present implements for cultiva- 
tion, while effective in their way, could be improved in many re- 
spects, especially for the purpose of hastening the maturity of the 
crop. For instance, cultivators like the chain cultivator mentioned 
in this bulletin, to establish a dust mulch rather than to plow the 
ground, are much needed. There are some cultivator attachments, 
such as the spring-tooth attachment, which are exceedingly useful 
tools in maintaining a surface dust mulch, but these are not as yet 
in general use. 
SUMMARY. 
The following is an outline of the practical methods of controlling 
the boll weevil described in detail in the preceding pages. These 
methods are based upon extensive studies and much field experi- 
mentation. They represent practically all that is known about com- 
bating tne most important enemy of the cotton plant. They form a 
system consisting of several parts. The planter can insure success in 
proportion to the extent to which he combines the different essential 
parts. 
(1) Destroy the vast majority of weevils in the fall by uprooting 
and burning the plants. This is the all-important step. It results 
in the death of millions of weevils. It insures a crop for the follow- 
ing season. If it is not practicabie to burn the stalks they should 
still be uprooted. This will stop the development of the weevils but 
allow the cotton to be picked as the supply of labor permits. If the 
plants can not be uprooted turning plows should be used, in humid 
regions, to cover the fallen squares deeply as soon as the fields become 
heavily infested in the summer or fall. The practice is of little value 
in dry regions, but in humid regions it will result in the death of 
many of the weevils in the buried squares. 
(2) Destroy also many weevils that have survived the preceding 
operation and are found in the cotton fields and along the hedge- 
rows, fences, and buildings. This is done by clearing the places 
referred to thoroughly. (See pp. 22-23.) 
(3) So far as pessible, locate the fields in situations where damage 
will be avoided. This can not be done in all cases but can frequently 
be done to good advantage. 
512 
