SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES 



3 9088 01272 7640 



Sary by the ravages of the boll weevil. As is beginning to be well 

 known to planters, it'will not be possible for tenants to work as much 

 land as formerly. More cotton will be produced by decreasing acreages 

 and increasing the attention given to what remains. If this is done 

 the objections mentioned will largely' disappear. 



CONCLUSION. 



Having studied and tested the methods of weevil control which have 

 been hitherto recommended, the writer firmly believes that the destruc- 

 tion of the stalks in the early fall is the most effective method known 

 of actually reducing the numbers of the pest. This destruction will 

 cost but a small fraction of the expense necessar}^ in the frequent pick- 

 ing up in the spring of the squares infested by the hibernated weevils, 

 and is far more thorough as a means of reducing the numbers of the 

 weevil than is the practice of picking hibernated weevils from the 

 young plants. Early destruction of the stalks is essential to the great- 

 est success of anj^ sj'stem of controlling the pest. All other practices 

 recommended, though very valuable in securing a crop, are of the great- 

 est value as they are followed in connection with this one prime essential. 

 Since the earliest investigations of the boll weevil made by this Depart- 

 ment, it has been recognized and pointed out by Dr. L. 0. Howard that 

 this practice is of the first importance, and the experience of recent 

 years has added but certainty to this conviction. A number of planters 

 have adopted it, and their work and the large-scale work by the Bureau 

 of Entomology have abundantly demonstrated its effectiveness. It 

 must not he tJwugJif that the procuring of the immediate crop is the 

 only thing to be desired. Early and complete destruction of the stalks 

 is undoubtedly the most important single element insuring success for 

 the subsequent year. 



Concerted action in fall destruction is, of course, desirable. The 

 greatest benefit will result only when whole communities adopt the 

 method. But no planter should hesitate on account of the indifference 

 of his neighbors. The fact that weevils move about but little until the 

 time when the bulk of the crop is safe will assist materially in saving 

 one field though near-by ones have not been properly treated, and even 

 under such circumstances the success of the method in one field will be 

 a powerful stimulus toward its general adoption the following season. 



It is true that the recommendations contained in this circular involve 

 considerable change in the culture of cotton. Nevertheless the impor- 

 tant changes that have been brought about, up to this time, in the use 

 of improved seed and fertilizers have also been revolutionary in their 

 character. It is hoped by the Department that the agencies assisting 

 in this matter — namely, organizations of business men — will everywhere 

 devote the same energy toward encouraging the practice of what is, after 

 all, the most important step in maintaining the supremacy of the cotton 

 crop in the weevil territory. 



Approved : 



James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. ' 



Washington, D. C, September 3, 1908. 



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