APPENDIX II ANSWERS TO CIRCULAR. 391 



They have been with us every year since 1867 ; but not seriously affecting the crops 

 previous to that date. [P. S. Clarke, Waller. 



1868, '73, '74, and 75. [P. S. Watts, Hardin. 



1807 and '68. [R. Wipprecht, Comal. 



Very abundant in 1871 and '73 ; destructive in '74 and '76. [A. Schroeter, Bnrnet. 



In the years 1867 and '73 they swept the cotton-fields of Southern Texas like a besom 

 of destruction, very little cotton being made. They have swept the fields many years 

 since, but '67 and '73 are noted years, as nothing was made. [W. T. Hill, Walker. 



From 1850 to 1860 the worm appeared several times in sufficient numbers to injure 

 the cotton, but not to destroy it ; 1863, very destructive ; 1866, the worst year up to 

 that date ; 1H63, the worst year of all, the worm appeared (first brood) latter part of 

 May ; 1875, '77, very bad, crop injured 50 per cent. [J. II. Krancher, Austin. 



Here in 1849, '64, "and in '76. [C. B. Richardson, Rusk. 



The cotton-worm was more destructive in 1867 than ever before or since, although 

 very abundant in the years of 1877 and '78. [Stephen Harbert, Colorado. 



QUESTION' 2. State what you knoio from experience of the effects of weatlwr on tlie insect; 



ALABAMA. 



The cotton caterpillar prevails most when the seasons are wet, rather than dry. 

 But it is not clear to my understanding that a wet season is in itself the cause of 

 the appearance of the caterpillar. A wet season and black prairie soil, or other causes, 

 superinduce a sappy growth of foliage and weed, and it is, generally speaking, only 

 the cotton heavily charged tvith sap which is attacked by the caterpillar. It will eat 

 such cotton up in a drouth, while oftentimes in a wet season cotton grown on clayey 

 soils adjacent is untouched. [John W. Du Bose, Montgomery. 



This question will be answered in this way : Six out of ten farmers will say that 

 damp, cloudy weather, with continuous rains in July and August, is the most favor- 

 able, while the remaining four will say they have seen crops destroyed during a very 

 dry season in August ; consequently, the general conclusion is that the weather has 

 but little effect upon the cotton-worm. [P. D. Bowles, Conecuh. 



Am not certain ; but as the sun's rays cannot pass through a green leaf, and the eggs 

 are laid on the under side, where the worm also lies during the heat of the day, I 

 doubt whether the weather has much effect upon them. [R. H. Powell, Bullock. 



When there is cloudy weather iu July and August they are most destructive. When 

 these months are hot and dry and the plant becomes tough, they cannot do much 

 damage. [J. C. Matthews, Dale. 



A dry, hot summer is supposed to be unfavorable to their increase to a great ex- 

 tent. [A. D. Edwards, Macon. 



The opinion which seems most prominent in this locality on this branch of the sub- 

 ject is that the more rain the more likely will the caterpillar appear, and vice versa. 

 During the rainy seasons there is, of course, more cloudy weather as well as more ten- 

 derness in the leaves of the plant, both of which are regarded favorable to their prop- 

 agation and ravages. [Andrew Jay, Conecuh. 



Rainy and cloudy weather is certainly more favorable to its propagation. If the 

 summer (early summer) is wet we look for the caterpillar with considerable eer- 

 tainty. [H. Hawkins, Barbour. 



My opinion is that in wet, cloudy weather they are more destructive than in clear, 

 dry weather. [R. B. Dunlap, Greene. 



The weather most favorable for the rapid growth of the cotton-plant seems to be 

 the most favorable for the worms. In other words, the worms are most destructive 

 on cotton growing rapidly, because it is more tender and succulent. [J. R. Rogers, 

 Bullock. 



Damp and cloudy weather is best for worms ; if the weather is very dry and hot it 

 acts against them. [I. F. Culver, Bullock. 



I am of the opinion that the worm is not much affected by the weather, after it has 

 come out in full force, but upon this point a good many farmers differ. The general 

 opinion is that warm, wet weather is most favorable to its increase. [J. A. Callaway, 

 Montgomery. 



The opinions of planters in this section differ very widely on this point. They are 

 generally more destructive in wet seasons, though I have seen them in full force when 

 we have been dry in this locality, owing to the fact, no doubt, of an abundance of rain 

 haviug fallen further south. [M. W. Hand, Greene. 



Warm, damp weather is most favorable to the propagation of the cotton- worm of 

 every species. Cool, damp weather (not cold) is most favorable for the increase of the 

 cotton-lice, which do their mischief in May and June. [David Lee, Lowndes. 



