ber 15 4 weevils were found in the cracks around the bases of 22 

 cotton plants growing near Dallas. This indicates a total number of 

 weevils per acre in such situations in this field of 1,090. 



Practically all of the weevils to be found in the situations described 

 can be killed by raking and burning the trash, except those in cracks 

 in the ground, and these, in the majority of cases, would probably be 

 crushed by winter plowing of the fields. 



PLOWING NOT EFFECTIVE, 



The point may be raised that winter plowing, by burying the weevils 

 found in trash on the surface, might -have the same effect as burning. 

 On the contrary, experiments have shown that weevils can easily make 

 their way through several inches of soil. Consequently such work in 

 general is as likely to protect as to destroy the weevils. Of course, if 

 heavy rains should follow immediately after plowing, it is possible that 

 some soils would be so compacted as to prevent the emergence of 

 weevils. Nevertheless, this could not happen under usual conditions. 

 In the case of weevils in cracks, destruction would not result from 

 burial but from crushing. 



What has just been stated should not be taken to mean that winter 

 plowing should not be followed. As a matter of fact, the winter work- 

 ing of the fields should be practiced, not only on general principles, but 

 to assist in procuring an early crop. The present purpose is merely to 

 point out how to destroy the boll weevil in the winter. Regardless of 

 its other benefits, winter plowing can not be depended upon to actually 

 kill many weevils. 



WEEVILS THAT CAN BE REACHED OUTSIDE OF COTTON FIELDS. 



In addition to those in the cotton fields themselves, many weevils 

 can be reached that have found winter quarters along turn-rows, in 

 ditches, along fences, and in the trash that is frequently allowed to 

 accumulate around seed houses. Fire is again the agent of destruction 

 at the command of the farmer. Careful burning of turn-rows and ditches 

 and cleaning of fence corners and similar situations will result in the 

 death of many weevils that might survive to damage the crop of the 

 following season. 



The work of burning and cleaning the plantation should not stop 

 with the immediate vicinity of cotton fields. Many weevils fly into 

 corn fields, where they find suitable quarters for passing the winter. 

 These fields, on a cotton plantation, should be cleaned during the win- 

 ter as thoroughly as the fields where cotton has been growing or is to be 

 grown during the next season. It has been found that sorghum fields 

 furnish exceptionally favorable opportunities for hibernating weevils. 

 The heavy stubble left by this crop catches grass and general debris 

 blown about by the wind, which then becomes heavily matted. Here 

 many weevils are to be found during the winter. In many cases in 

 Texas the earliest appearing weevils and the greatest damage to the 

 crop have been shown to be chargeable to neighboring sorghum fields 

 which have served as winter quarters for the pest. 



Many weevils undoubtedly find hibernating quarters in trash along 

 railroad rights of way as well as along wagon roads. The importance 

 of such means furnished the weevil for passing the winter becomes great 

 where, as in many cases, the roads or railroads pass through localities 



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