THE BOLL-WEEVIL PEOBLEM, 39 



SUMMARY OF CONTROL MEASURES. 



The following is an outline of the practical methods of controlling 

 the boll weevil described in detail in the preceding pages. Tliese 

 methods are based upon extensive studies and much field experi- 

 mentation. Tliey represent practically all that is known about com- 

 bating the most important enemy of the cotton plant. They form a 

 system consisting of several parts. Tlie 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 plowing 

 under or by uprooting and burning the plants. This is the all- 

 important step. It results in the death of milKons of weevils. It 

 insures a crop for the foUo\^^ng season. If it is not practicable to 

 burn the stalks, they should stiU be uprooted. This wdll 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 faU. Tlie practice is of little value in dry regions, but in humid 

 regions it wiU 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 thoroughly clearing the 

 places referred to. (See pp. 21-22.) 



(3) So far as possible, locate the fields in situations where damage 

 will be avoided. This can not be done in all cases, but frequently can 

 be done to good advantage. 



(4) Prepare the land early and thorouglily in order to obtain an 

 early crop. This means fall plo\nng and \\anter worldng of the land 

 or the use of cover crops. 



(5) Determine the best distances between the rows and between 

 the plants by experiments on local soils. In general, proper spacing 

 for large production before the coming of the weevil will be found 

 most favorable for a large crop. 



(6) Insure an early crop by early planting of early-maturing vari- 

 eties, and b}^ fertilizing where necessary. 



(7) Continue the procuring of an early crop by early chopping to 

 a stand and early and frequent cultivation. Do not lose the fruit the 

 plants have set by cultivating too deeply or too close to the rows. 



(8) Do not poison for the leafworm unless its work begins at an 

 abnormally early date in the sumnier. 



(9) Do not go to the expense of buying special preparations for 

 destroying the weevil. Disappointment and loss are certain to fol- 



