THE BOLL- WEEVIL PROBLEM. 7 



States has been increasing to such an extent as to offset very largely 

 the reduction caused by the insect elsewhere. 



Undoubtedly for several years the boll weevil has caused a loss 

 of about 400,000 bales of cotton annually. Although farmers in 

 older regions, in many cases, are increasing their production, there 

 is loss in the newly infested regions wliich offsets that gain. A con- 

 servative estimate shows that since the weevil has invaded this coun- 

 try it has caused a loss of 4,550,000 bales of cotton, with a value of 

 about $250,000,000. 



Tlie figures wliich have been cited show clearly the enormous reduc- 

 tion in cotton production which the boll weevil causes. In order to 

 make the picture complete, however, it is necessary to call attention 

 to the effect the weevil has on the production of crops other than 

 cotton. Wherever the insect invades a region, diversification of crops 

 and animal husbandry receive a powerful impetus. Tliis is shown, 

 for instance, in the State of Mississippi. For the years preceding 

 the advent of the boll weevil, namely, 1904-1908, the average value 

 of all crops was $116,783,104. For the boll-weevil years, 1909-1913, 

 the average was $132,031,800. Tlie loss in cotton production was 

 more than offset by the increased planting in corn, forage, and other 

 crops. Tlie State of Louisiana shows a similar experience. Tlie 

 total value of all crops from the years 1899 to 1902, during wliich 

 time the boil weevil was not present in the State, was $67,394,152. 

 During the first five years after the invasion of the insect the average 

 value was $88,776,272. There was then a drop in values during 

 five years of serious damage from 1908 to 1912, when the average 

 value was $78,111,000. The reaction became complete during 1913 

 and 1914, when the average value of the Lousiana crops reached 

 $94,884,472. 



The criticism might be made that the statistics given in the pre- 

 ceding paragraphs are misleading because they deal with values 

 which fluctuate from year to year, and not with actual volume of 

 production. It is to be said, however, that the periods covered are 

 sufficiently long to strike a probable average. That is to say, the 

 fluctuations in any one 5-year period are likely to be about the same 

 as in other 5-year periods. Moreover, the use of values is helpful on 

 account of the bearing it has on the amount of money in circulation 

 and consequently on the prosperity of the people. In this respect 

 values are more suggestive than the volume of production, for the 

 reason that large yields frequently are accompanied by low prices. 



PROSPECTS. 



Reference has been made to the greater damage inflicted in moist 

 I regions and where the shelter for hibernation is best. The records 

 I of the Weather Bureau show that the annual precipitation increases 



