THE WEATHER AND THE WEEVIL 107 



exceptionally dry weather and hot sunshine during most 

 of the growing season produced bumper crops for 1925 

 and 1926 with higher yields per acre than for any re- 

 cent period. It began to be hoped that the weevil had 

 been conquered. But the less exceptional weather con- 

 ditions of 1927 produced a low yield and apparently 

 found the weevil back at his old tricks. The suggestion 

 is obvious. The weather has more effect in controlling 

 the boll weevil than our boasted science. It seems more 

 likely than ever that the weevil is here to stay. There 

 exists no way at present to attack him except through 

 laborious methods of forcing cultivation or applications 

 of calcium arsenate. His continued presence and his de- 

 pendence upon the vagaries of climate will serve to ac- 

 centuate the effects of rains and droughts. Thus the 

 weevil will decrease production at unforeseen periods and 

 will leave it practically unmolested at others. To the 

 extent the weevil does this he will emphasize price fluctu- 

 ations. Cotton bids fair to continue to deserve the epithet 

 of dynamite. Our next chapter, accordingly, will discuss 

 the hazards of the market to the cotton producer. 



