2 
dent that the weevils that pass the winter and attack the crop the fol 
lowing season are among those developed latest in the fall and which, 
in consequence of that fact, have not exhausted their vitality by depos- 
iting eggs for any considerable length of time. Fall destruction of the 
plants, thereby increasing the length of the hibernating period, will 
undoubtedly cause the reduction by many fold of the number of weevils 
in the fields that would otherwise emerge in the spring to damage the 
cotton. 
Fourth.—Clearing of the field in the fall makes it possible to practice 
fall plowing, which is not only the proper procedure in any system of 
cotton raising, but also greatly facilitates the early planting of the crop 
the following spring. The ground becomes clean by this practice, so 
that but few places for shelter are left for the weevils, and various cli- 
matic conditions still further reduce the numbers of the survivors. 
TIME FOR DESTRUCTION OF THE PLANTS. 
It is naturally impossible to fix any date for the destruction of the 
stalks which would apply to all localities and under all conditions. 
The condition of the soil must be considered as well as the maturity of 
the crop. While the condition of the soil can not be controlled, the 
time of the maturity of the crop is largely within the power of the 
planter, since by early planting of early maturing varieties the entire 
crop may be mature before the usual time of picking of the first cotton 
from native seed. Nevertheless, whatever modifications are necessary 
in different localities and during different seasons, they do not decrease 
the general strength of the recommendations. 
The proper time for the destruction of the plants in the fall is when- 
ever the weevils have become so numerous that there is no prospect 
that any more cotton will be made. It will be an easy matter for any 
planter to determine this point by an examination of a few plants in his 
field. Whenever it is found that all, or nearly all, of the squares and 
some of the bolls are being punctured, there is no hope for producing 
any more cotton. The farmer should then wait until the bolls already 
set on the plants have opened, and destruction should then take place 
immediately. 
The rule should consequently be that the plants should be destroyed 
in the fall whenever all, or practically all, of the fruit is being damaged, 
regardless of whether this is in September or November. In the great 
majority of cases in Texas, from the 1st of October to the 15th of Octo- 
ber would be the proper time. In many cases much earlier destruction 
could and should be practiced. Nevertheless, it should not be thought 
that fall destruction will be useless after the last date mentioned. 
Even up to the 15th of November many weevils in the remains of bolls 
hanging to the plants may be destroyed, but the process loses value 
the longer it is deferred. By all means, if possible, destruction of 
