88 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOLL WEEVIL CONVENTION. 



ward and northward, and, if not checked, will ultimately overrun the 

 entire cotton belt of the United States, and 



"Whereas, this spread of the boll weevil will materially reduce the 

 annual yield of the cotton crop of America, and this reduction in crop 

 will materially affect transportation lines, bankers, merchants and manu- 

 facturers, as well as farmers, and 



"Whereas, the cotton crop of the United States now furnishing over 

 $500,000,000 is consumed partly by the mills of this country, and any dis- 

 aster to the crop will be felt by all parts of the Union, and 



"Whereas, the larger portion of this crop finds its way to foreign mills, 

 producing a large balance of trade in favor of this country, and 



"Whereas, this diminution of the cotton crop in the United States will 

 stimulate increased production in foreign countries, perhaps ultimately 

 taking away from this country the prestige so long enjoyed of producing 

 four-fifths of the world's supply of cotton ; therefore, be it 



"Resolved by the planters and farmers of Louisiana, That the cotton 

 crop *is of national importance, and any diminution thereof would be a 

 national calamity. 



"Resolved further, That the President of the United States and the 

 honorable Secretary of Agriculture be earnestly urged to render every 

 assistance in their power, in co-operation with our State authorities, to 

 prevent the spread of this dread insect and to aid in its eradication where 

 it now exists. 



"Resolved further, That the entire delegation to Congress from the 

 cotton States be earnestly requested to use their influence in securing the 

 proper legislation and suitable appropriation for the purpose of successfully 

 fighting this pest so dangerous to the cotton industry of the United 

 States." 



RESOLUTION No. 4. 



"Resolved, That we do hereby memorialize the honorable Legislature of 

 the State of Louisiana that they pass such laws as to prohibit the killing, 

 netting or trapping of any kind or species of birds (except the hawk) 

 and to fix the necessary penalty for same." 



RESOLUTION No. 5. 



"Resolved, That the entire delegation from this State merits and hereby 

 receives the thanks of this Convention for their energetic action in our 

 behalf, and are requested to present wise resolutions to the President, 

 Secretary of Agriculture and to the Congress of the United States." 



RESOLUTION No. 6. 



"Resolved, That His Excellency, Governor W. W. Heard, be and is 

 hereby thanked for having called this Convention together a most timely 



