COTTON INSECTS 



399 



they may quickly consume all leaves and young forms; 

 this should be followed by the thorough plowing under 

 of the stalks, so as to prevent young sprouts from putting 



FIG. 174. COTTON STALK CUTTER. 



H, Steel blade, bolted to under side of -4 X 4 side piece, and projecting 

 Is inches. (Fully described in Circ. 30, La. Crop Pest Commission, 

 Baton Rouge, La.) 



out, for the weevils are able to subsist on these young 

 sprouts. The early destruction of cotton stalks in the fall 

 is advisable, even though one's neighbors should not prac- 



FIG. 175. SIDE VIEW OF COTTON STALK CUTTER. 

 H, Steel blade. 



tice it. However, the more general this custom in regions 

 where the boll-weevil is present, the better fof every 

 farmer. 



368. Forcing the crop to early maturity. Not only 

 should the cotton grower reduce the number of weevils 



