8 FARMERS BULLETIN 848. 



very rapidly from the West to the East in the cotton belt. This is 

 especially the case during the early growing season of cotton, namely, 

 April, May, and June. The precipitation in the greater part of the 

 cotton-producing area in Texas is normally about 40 inches. In 

 Louisiana, Mississippi, and the eastern States of the cotton belt it is 

 more than 50 inches, and sometimes exceeds 60 inches. The records 

 that have been kept in Texas show that the damage has always been 

 greater in wet seasons and that the insect has affected land values 

 most where the general conditions approach those of the eastern part 

 of the cotton belt. Without the assistance that is furnished by 

 climatic conditions, especially dry weather during the spring, the 

 farmers of Texas would not have been by any means so successful in 

 producing cotton during the last few years as they have. The system 

 of control outhned in this bulletin increases greatly in effectiveness 

 when assisted by weather conditions. Fortunately, in Texas this 

 assistance is given under normal conditions. When this assistance is 

 above the normal, as in 1904 and 1906, the crops will be exceedingly 

 large. 



On the other hand, it is clear that the problem of the control of 

 the boll weevil w411 be more difficult as the pest continues its invasion 

 of the cotton belt. It can not be considered, therefore, that the 

 problem is as yet completely solved. Better means of control must 

 be devised for the region that is becoming invaded, and, if possible, 

 means must be devised that w^iU reduce the enormous loss that is 

 suffered, especially during unfavorable seasons, in Texas. The prin- 

 cipal work of the Bureau of Entomology at this time is in attempting 

 to devise means for this requisite additional control. 



Though the eastern planter must expect a more serious problem 

 than that which confronted the farmers of Texas, the means of con- 

 trol outhned in this bulletin will enable him to continue production, 

 though probably at a reduced profit. The sooner he adapts his plan- 

 tation management to the necessary changes the less the loss wiU be. 

 Very frequently an error is made in considering that boll-weevil 

 injury is approximately the same in localities in the same latitude. 

 South Carolina planters, for instance, are likely to consider their situ- 

 ation similar to that in central Arkansas, which is in the same latitude. 

 As a matter of fact, the activity of the boll weevil is not governed by 

 latitude but by climatic conditions. The Gulf Stream creates condi- 

 tions in South Carolina that are similar to those in regions consider- 

 ably farther south, in the Gulf States. Temperature, rainfall, and the 

 number of days in the growing season arc about the same in central 

 South Cai'olina as in northeastern Louisiana. 



