20 Growing Sea Island Cotton Under Florida Conditions 



Fig. 7. The Mopping Operation, showing the correct and the incorrect pro- 

 cedure. 



Left, the incorrect, or old "churn dasher" style of mopping. The laborer, 

 after dipping the mop in the poisoned-syrup mixture in the container carried 

 in the left hand, touches the mop to the bud of each plant, from above. This 

 is slow, tedious w^ork. Besides, the poison is left w^here it is most easily 'washed 

 off by rain, and most quickly dried by the sun, after which it is not very 

 effective against the boll weevil. 



Right, an improved procedure for mopping cotton. The wetted mop is 

 simply pushed through the tops of the plants while the laborer w^alks full 

 speed ahead. The tops of the plants are pushed over, and the poisoned-syrup 

 mixture is applied to the under sides of the leaves, and to the limbs and jnain 

 stem of the plants. It is much better protected from rain and sun in these loca- 

 tions, and therefore remains potent for a longer period of time. In addition, 

 only about half the labor is required for applying the poison in this manner 

 as in the old "churn dasher" style of mopping. 



The most common mistake the inexperienced operator 

 makes in mopping cotton is walking too slowly, and trying to 

 give special attention to individual plants, thinking the plant 

 is inadequately poisoned unless the poison is visible from 

 above. On first glance, a properly mopped cotton plant looks 

 like it has no poison on it. Close examination, however, will 

 reveal an adequate amount of poison under the topmost leaves, 

 and on the upper limbs. The operator does not need to worry 

 about whether poison is being left on the plants if the mop is 

 frequently dipped into the syrup mixture, no matter how fast 

 he walks, or how short the time of contact between the mop 

 and plant. It is a physical impossibility to touch a plant with 

 a saturated mop without leaving poison on it. 



