THE WEATHER AND THE WEEVIL 91 



cotton free zone, and no cotton was grown in the area 

 for three years. "This district is now believed to be 

 entirely free from the pest, demonstrating what may be 

 accomplished where adequate control is maintained for 

 a period of years." 24 In dealing with the problem Texas 

 seemed particularly helpless because of constitutional 

 limitations upon purposes for which the legislature can 

 appropriate funds. 



By 1895 the insect had reached San Antonio to the 

 north and Wharton to the east. The drought of the next 

 year prevented any extension of the area. In 1897 there 

 was a slight extension of the area of insect infection. 

 The Department sent Townsend to Mexico to look for 

 natural parasites of the insect. He found none. The next 

 year, the Texas legislature, having provided for a state 

 entomologist, the Department discontinued its work and 

 referred all inquiries to the Texas specialist. The winter 

 of 1899-1900 furnished the lowest temperature recorded 

 in Texas. Many expected this to finish the tropical bug, 

 but the next spring and summer he came out later and 

 in smaller numbers but was very prolific. By 1895 the 

 pest had traveled two hundred miles, by 1901 he had 

 increased his travels to five hundred and infested half 

 the state of Texas. 25 The state of Texas had become 

 thoroughly alarmed and had offered a $50,000 prize to 

 the person who could propound a cure for the boll weevil. 

 It is said that all the cranks in the state set to work, but 

 nothing valuable came of their efforts. 



Recourse was had to the Department of Agriculture 

 in 1901, and a large sum was appropriated for experi- 

 mental work leading to control. Dr. Howard, testifying 



24 "The Cotton Situation," p. 353. 



25 Dept. of Agriculture Yearbook, 1901, pp. 371 ff. 



