METHODS OF CONTROLLmO THE BOLL WEEVIL 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The Division of Entomology has worked with the boll weevil since 

 the first appearance of the pest in Texas in 1894. Up to the present 

 time practically continuous observations have been made upon its 

 natural history, habits, and the means by which it reaches new regions; 

 and the results of these observations, with suggestions regarding the 

 manner of combating the pest, drawn from them and from the experi- 

 ence of many planters, have already been published. It was not, 

 hoAvever, until the last season that the funds at the disposal of the 

 Division permitted experimental field work on a considerable scale. 

 By special appropriation, which became available on the 4th of June, 

 1902, it became possible for the Division to conduct field work on a 

 large scale and according to a system that gives tangible and present- 

 able results. The arrangement consists of a contract whereby certain 

 planters agree to plant, cultivate, and care for the crop exactly in 

 accordance with the directions of the agent of the Division. It conse- 

 quently gives the Division practically complete charge of large tracts 

 of cotton in typical situations without involving the labor and expense 

 of renting the land and working the crop. In this way 200 acres at 

 Calvert and 150 acres at Victoria, Tex,, were used for experimental 

 purposes. A complete field laboratory was established at the latter 

 place for rearing work, breeding parasites, and testing poisons, as well 

 as investigating every feature of the life history of the weevil that 

 may afford any advantage in fighting the pest. 



Though somewhat handicapped by the late date at which the appro- 

 priation became available, the work of the past season has demon- 

 strated many important points. The principal ones are presented in 

 the following pages, together with such previousl}^ acquired informa- 

 tion as constitutes, it is believed, the basis of a practical and effective 

 system of producing the staple anywhere that the boll weevil occurs. 



TERRITORY AFFECTED. 



Though still confined to Texas, the territory occupied b}?^ the cotton- 

 boll weevil {Anthonomns grandis Boh.) at present includes about 28 

 per cent of the cotton acreage in the United States. This acreage in 



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