36 



FOR BETTER CROPS IN THE SOUTH 



the ground and are subjected to the unobstructed rays of the 

 sun, the mortality of the larvae and pupae is exceedingly high. 

 When the rows are wide and the cotton small, practically all the 

 larvae and pupae in the punctured squares are killed during hot, 

 fair weather. If the rows are narrow and the cotton makes a 

 rank growth and shades the ground; or if it is cloudy, practically 

 all of the larvae and pupae in the punctured squares will come 

 to maturity unless the squares are picked up and destroyed. 

 The, more rankly the cotton grows and the more the ground is 

 shaded, the greater the necessity for picking up and destroying 

 the punctured squares. It is well to collect all the squares that 

 fall for at least a month after the first square forms and place 

 them in wire cages or burn them. The punctured squares ought 



The tractor at work in the field 



to be placed in wire cages for the reason that many weevil 

 larvae In the infested squares harbor parasites. The meshes of 

 the wire of the cage should be at least sixteen to the inch. The 

 parasites on account of their small size will escape, and con- 

 tinue their deadly work against the weevils in fields while the 

 weevils will soon die for lack of food.. A tinner will make the 

 cages at a reasonable price. Of course if it is not possible to use 

 the wire cages, burn the squares. 



Grow an Early Maturing Crop— The production of an 

 early crop of cotton is accomplished as follows: Cut the cotton 

 acreage to five or six acres to the mule so that cultural methods 

 may be closely followed. Plant only warm, quick-making land 



