REPORTS OF CONSULS AND CONSULAR AGENTS. [65] 



3. Tlie caterpillars generally appear in spring time, that is to say, in February and 

 March, and at times in such quautites that they succeed in destroying whole plan- 

 tations of cotton. If, however, the rainy ^easons continue a short time beyond their 

 usual period, they are almost all destroyed by the rains. 



4. These caterpillars have been known ever since the first time that cotton was raised 

 here, and so far as I can gather from information received, are indigenous to the country 

 and in no way imported from elsewhere. 



5. Cotton has been cultivated here for the first time some fifteen years ago. Up to 

 that time it was known to grow wild all over the country, producing a very good 

 quality of cotton and now since the cultivation has been totally abandoned, it con- 

 tinues to grow wild without the least care, without any deterioration in quality, as 

 may be seen from the sample sent. What little cotton is gathered now from the 

 plants growing wild fetches a price of $3.20 per 100 pounds uucieaned, and as it takes 

 about 350 pounds of crude cofcton to produce 100 pounds of clean cotton, the price in 

 addition to the cost of cleaning would amount to §uch a height as to put the possi- 

 bility of exporting it entirely out of the question. 



6. The elevation of the lands on which cotton has been grown here above the level 

 of the sea is from 50 to 100 feet, and the winds that prevail in that part of the country 

 are north-northeast and south-southeast. 



7. In compliance with your request I send a bottle with specimens of the caterpil- 

 lars in question, as w^ell as a bag with samples of crude cotton, gathered in the vicin- 

 ity of this town, w^liere the plants grow wild, as referred to in the above report.'''^ 



The samples of cotton and the caterpillars will be forwarded by the first sailing 

 vessel, the Alcira, for New York, which will leave in about ten days, to save expenses. 

 Hoping that this report may be of some benefit, I have the honor to remain, 

 Your most obedient servant, 



E. H. PLUMACHER, 



Commercial Agent. 

 Hon. William Hunter, 



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



No. 347.] U. S. Consulate, 



Vera Cruz, March 3, 1880. 



Sir: On the receipt of yours of October 13, concerning cotton culture, and the 

 enemies of the cotton plant, statistical data on which for this district was asked to 

 be given to the Entomological Commission, I immediately translated the seven ques- 

 tions into Spanish, with a circular letter, and sent them to various prominent persons 

 who were recommended to me as men well informed on the subject, under inquiry, 

 asking them to give me the data required at as early a date as possible. Some 

 answered promptly, saying, however, that it was too soon to procure specimens of 

 the worms, but giving no other response. Yesterday I received a bottle with many 

 specimens in diluted alcohol. This bottle I transmit for the use of the Commission, 

 and send also a translation of a letter from Sen. R. de Zayas Enriquez, explanatory 

 of the contents of the bottle. {^*) These are the only specimens I have been able to 

 obtain, although I have personally made some excursions into cotton districts for 

 them, and other points of inquiry indicated by the Commission. 



questions and AJfSWEKS. 



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

 Answer. In this consular district about 8,000,000 pounds are produced. The pecul- 

 iarities of culture are striking. The ground is prepared by removing rubbish, and 

 then the seed is planted by inserting a sharp stick in the ground at convenient in- 

 tervals ; into the holes thus made the seed is deposited and covered by the foot. No 

 plows are used in this preparation for the seed, nor are they often used in the subse- 

 quent stages of cultivation. They j)ull out the larger weeds or use the hoe, confining 

 their labor to but little more than such. It is clear from that kind of culture that 

 the cotton plant must be forced into much bad company, and be assaulted with de- 

 structive enemies. After extensive inquiries I find no one scientifically informed on 

 the full habits of these enemies. 



2. " What are the worst insect enemies ? '' 



Answer. The Cotton Worm, grasshopper, and ant. The ground mole in some local- 

 ities is very destructive. 



3. *' Does the Cotton Worm (described) attack it ? and, if so, give its habits, espec- 

 ially durino- the winter months. 



Answer. Yes. See inclosed translation of a letter from Judge R. de Zayas Enriquez, 

 cvho has given me the best information hd OPJi^fi g.atbfr ; hut the Honorable Commis- 

 ^3 |3OJsr0— AP 5 



