REPORTS OF CONSULS AND CONSULAR AGENTS. [63] 



in which information touchiDg the production of cotton, and the attack of the Cot- 

 ton Worm and other insects upon the plant, in Central and South America, ia requested 

 for the use of the Commission ; and desiring a report on the euhject to he sent to the 

 State Department for transmission to the Commission. 



I heg to inclose herewith such information as I have been able to secure, and sug- 

 gesting that the consul at Acapulco may be able to give more particular and valuable 

 information, from the fact that a large amount of the cotton used in the cotton mills 

 of this State comes from his consular district. 



1. Cotton is not grown to any considerable extent in this consular district on 

 account of the uncertainty of the crop, as much through rains as through the attacks 

 of insects. The production is not sufficient for the three cotton-mills in operation in 

 this State. 



Cotton is planted in August and September, about 4 feet apart, receives but little 

 attention ; is gathered during the months from December to May, giving about 40 

 arrobas (25 pounds) to the acre, and selling at $1.25 to $1.50 the arroba of seed-cotton. 

 Labor costs from 50 to 75 cents per diem. 



2. The Cotton Worm, or as known here by the name of the Army Worm, the Bad 

 Worm, and the Boll Worm, are the worst insect enemies. 



3. The regular Cotton or Aimy Worm attacks the cotton plant every year, but 

 about once in four years is very destructive. It appears to be deposited by a fly on 

 the under side of the leaf, which rolls up and in a few days the worm of about 2 inches 

 appears. During the winter months it disappears. 



4 and 5. Cotton was first introduced into this State in 1863 by an American, Mr. 

 Francis Nolan ; was produced from seed brought from the State of Guerrero. It does 

 not grow wild in this State. The first years but little trouble was experienced from 

 the Cotton Worm, but each year they have given more trouble, especially if cotton 

 is planted again on the same ground. 



6. The prevailing direction of the wind during the months from March to July is 

 from the east in the morning, and from the southwest in the afternoon. 



7. I have requested specimens of the above-mentioned insects, and will forward to 

 the Department of State as soon as received.* 



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



E. G. KELTON, 



United States Consul. 

 Hon. William Huntek, 



Second Assistant Secretary of State, JVasTiington, D. C. 



No. 193.] United States Consulate, 



Baliia, January 12, 1880. 

 Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt at this consulate, on the 29th of 

 December ultimo, of dispatch from the Department of State dated October 13, 1879, 

 inclosing a copy of a letter from the Chief of the Entomological Commission to the 

 Hon. Secretary of the Interior, requesting information in regard to the produc- 

 tion of cotton in this consular district, and the attack of the Cotton Worm and other 

 insects upon the plant ; and in reply have most respectfully to report upon the par- 

 ticular points stated upon which information is requested, as follows : 



1. Cotton is not grown at present to any considerable extent in this province, and 

 has ceased to be an article of exportation. The cultivation is simple in the extreme, 

 requiring little care or attention, but owing to the distance from this port of the cot- 

 ton-producing districts the cultivation has long since ceased to be remunerative. 



2. The insect enemies of the cotton plant which particuiarly attack it consist of 

 two species of moths, which, in^heform of worms or caterpillars, prey upon its leaves 

 and stalk, as also the cotton pod itself. It is also attacked by a peculiar species of 

 bug, specimen of which is forwarded, and by the grasshoppers, which commit great 

 ravages upon the foliage and the tender stalk. 



3. The Cotton Worm, as described by Professor Riley, is somewhat different from 

 the worm in this province, differing in color and other respects, but it no doubt is in 

 reality of similar character. 



The Cotton Worms of this Province are produced by moths laying their eggs in the 

 leaves and young buds of the cotton plant, which become worms and caterpillars and 

 feed upon the cotton until transformed again into moths. The ravage committed by 

 them is greater in the dry or summer months, say September, October, November, 

 and December. 



4. The so-called Cotton Worm is believed to have been always in the country and 

 not imported. 



* The specimens were Aletia. — C. V. R. 



