PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOLL WEEVIL CONVENTION. II 



they sent a man down there who spent some time investigating the life 

 history of the insect, in order to know what were the weakest points of 

 the insect. At the same time, realizing the importance of the insect to 

 Texas, and seeing that it threatened the crop throughout the United 

 States, another man was sent to Central America, where the weevil has 

 its home, in order to find out two points : First, if any cotton grown 

 there was immune, and second, to determine what natural conditions 

 would hold the insect in check. This investigation has as yet led to no 

 tangible results, although it has been carried on in the native home of the 

 insect. 



"In Texas the progress of the insect has been marked very carefully, in 

 order to study the manner in which the insect reaches out across new terri- 

 tory. Maps have been drawn showing what counties have been infested 

 each year. After a few investigations, it became quite evident that no 

 efficacious means had yet been devised. The conclusion has been reached 

 lhat 



EXTERMINATION IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. 



No insect in the world has ever been extermined. The complete 

 futility of all plans to exterminate the weevil has been demonstrated. 

 The best we can do is to restrain it by keeping it in check. 



- "Mexico farmers have hit upon the plan of planting their crops earlier 

 in the season. Such farmers make a very good crop, of cotton where 

 their neighbors make absolutely none. Cultural methods in controlling 

 the weevil consist in early planting, planting of immense varieties, and 

 cultivating in every possible way and using every effort to hasten the 

 crop. 



- "It has been carefully calculated that one pair of boll weevils can pro- 

 duce between April 15 and Nov. 15, 134,000,000 full grown weevils. The 

 one ray of hope is that they have never been known to feed on anything 

 except cotton, except in case of absolute starvation. 



"Nine experiment stations have been established in Texas, with head- 

 quarters at Victoria. Altogether 1,000 acres have been set apart for ex- 

 perimental purposes. The results for this year are not yet all in, but on 

 the average we can produce half a bale, and sometimes a bale, to the 

 acre in spite of the weevil. In one station on the Gulf of California, of 

 TOO acres, fifty yielded over a bale ; the other fifty yielded something more 

 than half a bale. The average cost, produced on this ground, taking into 

 consideration taxes, wear atid tear of machinery, labor, etc., was 4-i 6 

 cents. This can be sold at a considerable profit, so that even with the 

 weevil cotton can be raised probably indeed, more profitably than corn, 

 which at the least figure is 9.71 cents per bushel. Even half a bale will 

 sell at a profit. Careless farmers do the greatest damage. 



"In conclusion, let me assure you that the Department of Agriculture 



