APPEIVDIX VII 



EEPOETS OF CONSULS AND CONSULAR AGENTS ON THE 

 COTTON CROP AND ITS ENEMIES IN MEXICO, CENTRAL 

 AND SOUTH AMERICA, AND THE WEST INDIES. 



[In pnrsuing tte study of tlie insects affecting the cotton plant, as ordered by Con- 

 gress, and especially of the Cotton Worm (Aletia xylina), we found that it was abso- 

 lutely necessary, for the solution of some of the more important questions, to get a 

 better knowledge than we had been able to acquire of cotton culture and the working 

 of this insect in Central and South America, as also in the West Indies and other 

 foreign countries. It occurred to us that the United States consuls at various points 

 might give the Commission valuable aid in this part of its work if applied to for in- 

 formation. We therefore prepared the accompanying letter of inquiry, which was 

 officially transmitted through the Secretary of the Interior, in October, 1879, to our 

 consuls at the following points, with the request that they reply through the Depart- 

 ment to the best of their ability and at as early a date as possible : Vera Cruz, 

 Tehuantepec, Tampico, Tuxpan, Mazatlan, Manzanillo (Mexico) ; Merida, Campeachy, 

 Belize (Honduras) ; Carthagena, Maracaibo, Bogota (United States of Colombia) ; 

 Barcelona (Venezuela) ; Trinidad, Barbadoes, Martinique (West Indies) ; Par£i, Per- 

 nambuco and Bahia (Brazil). 



CIRCULAR LETTER. 



Dear Sir : The United States Entomological Commission is now making a thorough 

 study of the insects affecting the Cotton plant, and especially of the Cotton Worm in 

 the United States, and desires to get facts and statistics regarding Cotton culture and 

 the insect enemies of the plant in . 



You are respectfully requested to send to Prof. C. V. Riley, through the Depart- 

 ment, such facts as you can obtain on the following points : 



1. — To what extent is cotton grown and what are the peculiarities of culture? 



2. — What are its worst insect enemies ? 



3. — Does the Cotton Worm or Cotton Caterpillar {Anomis xylina, Say, a green looping 

 worm with white lines and black dots encircled with white) attack it ? and if so, 

 give its habits, especially during the winter months. 



4. — Has this worm always been in the country, or is it believed to be an importa- 

 tion? 



5. — How long has cotton been grown in and does it grow wild ? 



6. — What is the prevailing direction of the wind during the months of March, April, 

 June, and July ? 



7. — Transmit, if possible, in alcohol, specimens of the worm most destructive to the 

 plant. 



The following replies indicate the extent of the information obtained by the above 

 means :] 



Department op State, 

 Washington, Deceniber 18, 1879. 

 Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of dis- 

 patch No. 114, of date November the 22d, in relation to the culture of cotton, from 

 the vice-consul of the United States at Merida, Mexico. 

 I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



WM. M. EVARTS. 

 The Hon. Carl Schurz, 



Secretary of the Interior. 



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