132 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



is so effective. (1) It results in the immediate destruction 

 of many of the weevils. (2) It cuts off the food supply 

 of the weevils which survive this operation. As a result 

 of this scarcity of food, a large percentage of the weevils 

 starve before the period of hibernation arrives, and those 

 that go into winter quarters are so weakened as to greatly 

 reduce the chances of surviving the winter. In sections 

 where the weevils are very numerous, there is little hope 

 of securing any cotton from the late crop of squares. 

 Hence the crop from the relatively early maturing bolls 

 should be picked as early as possible and the stalks de- 

 stroyed, certainly not later than November 1st in most 

 sections and earlier if possible. 



There are three methods of destroying the stalks: (1) 

 by up-rooting and burning; (2) by cutting and plowing 

 under; (3) by pasturing. 



Plowing the stalks up, raking them into windrows, and 

 burning as soon as they are sufficiently dry is the most 

 effective method. It has the objection, however, of im- 

 poverishing the soil of its organic matter. This objection 

 can be overcome by a rational system of cropping, in which 

 green-manure crops are included. 



In sections where the loss of the organic matter is es- 

 pecially serious, the farmer is advised to cut the stalks 

 with a stalk cutter as early as possible and follow immedi- 

 ately with a plow that will bury them deeply. Pasturing 

 the stalks is not as satisfactory as either of the above 

 methods and it is advisable only when the other methods 

 cannot be employed. 



157. Destroy weevils in hibernating places. As 

 many weevils live over winter in trash along turnrows, 

 in hedges and fence corners, it is especially advisable 

 that all rubbish and trash around or near the cotton fields 



