121 



ceeding year by allowing that growth to contmue until frost kills it, is 

 generally appreciated by planters. Because of the apparent abun- 

 dance of squares and the presence of many blooms the plants are 

 allowed to stand long after they might otherwise have been destroyed. 

 As is the case in the early spring, however, the abundance of squares 

 increases greatly the production of weevils; and though a few bolls 

 may set, they are almost certain to become infested before the}^ reach 

 maturit}^ (PI. XVIII, fig. 76.) Every condition, therefore, contributes 

 to the production of an immense number of weevils very late in the 

 season and at just the right time for their successful hibernation. As 

 the result of this, far greater injury is done to the crop of the follow- 

 ing season, with no actual gain in the yield of the present season. 

 Furthermore, plants standing until frosts kill them are often allowed 

 to stand throughout the remainder of the winter, and these furnish 

 an abundance of favorable hibernating places for the weevils. (PI. 

 XVIII, fig. 77.) The consequence of this practice is that so many 

 w. evils are carried through the winter alive that the yield of the next 

 year will be much less than what it might have been but for the 

 farmer's indulgence of the forlorn hope of a top crop. 



From these considerations it seems plain that within the weevil ter- 

 ritory all hope of a top crop must be given up and the destruction of 

 the stalks be practiced as earl}^ in the fall as may be possible. This 

 practice is one of the essential elements in the successful control of 

 the weevil. 



SOME REASONS FOR THE EARLY DESTRUCTION OF STALKS. 



It is naturally impossible to fix any date for the destruction of stalks 

 which would apply to all localities and under all conditions. The con- 

 dition of the soil must be considered as well as that of the maturity 

 of the crop. While the condition of the soil can not be changed, the 

 time of the maturity of the crop is largely within the control of the 

 planter, since by early planting of earl}^ maturing varieties nearly 

 the entire yield may be matured before the usual time of picking of 

 the first cotton from native seed. Whatever the qualifications which 

 must be made, they do not decrease the general strength of the reasons 

 which may be given for the earl}^ destruction of stalks. The principal 

 reasons are three in number: 



First, the absolute prevention of development of a multitude of 

 weevils which would become adult within a few weeks of hibernation 

 time. The destruction of the immature stages of weevils already 

 present in infested squares is surelj^ accomplished, while the further 

 growth of squares which ma}^ become later infested is also prevented. 

 This stops immediately the development of weevils which would nor- 

 mally hibernate successfully, and hy decreasing the number of weevils 



