163 



As the details of the cultural method have been dealt with fully in 

 the Farmers' Bulletins of this Department, and as the basis for them 

 in the habits of the weevil was fully explained in the preceding pages, 

 it is unnecessary in this connection to more than summarize them : 



(1) Fall destruction. 



(2) Early planting of rapidly maturing varieties. 



(3) Wide spacing, which, besides favoring rapid maturity of the 

 plant, also acts as a remedial measure by allowing the sun to reach 

 the ground, causing the drying up of the squares in which the larvae 

 occur. 



(4) Thorough cultivation. 



(5) Fertilization with commercial preparations containing high per- 

 centage of phosphoric acid. 



In addition to this general system that is applicable to all cotton 

 plantations, favorable labor conditions sometimes make it feasible to 

 pick the infested squares by hand. Nothing could be more out of 

 place than to suggest hand picking upon large plantations. Even 

 with convict labor it has been found entirely impracticable. But, 

 nevertheless, where a planter has only a few acres of cotton and there 

 is an abundance of cheap labor, the method has been found very 

 effective. 



LEGISLATION NEEDED. 



The above-mentioned essential points in controlling the boll weevil 

 have generally become common knowledge. Their eificacy has been 

 demonstrated by the Department of Agriculture as well as b}^ many 

 planters. Nevertheless, it must be stated that in man}^ quarters there 

 is a tendency toward adhering to the old methods of raising cotton, 

 which, with the weevil present, can not be effective. In view of this 

 fact it seems to the writer that the most important step to be taken in 

 the boll weevil fight is to pass State laws regulating the application of 

 what is now known about controlling the pest. In Louisiana there is 

 already an excellent law on this subject. In Texas there should be a 

 similar provision, and the best that States about to be invaded can do 

 will be to enact similar legislation, which will provide machiner}^ for 

 the enforcement at the earliest possible moment of those measures 

 which have proven most effective in controlling this pest. 



