[88] 



REPORT 



rains, with cloudy days, are unfavorable to the increase of the worm; cloudy days, 

 even without rain, are unfavorable. 



5. Have never seen the worm earlier than June. 



6. Generally is seen first in moist, rich spots, where the cotton grows rapidly. 



7. Have seen the moths at various times during the winter as ''candle-flies." Sup- 

 pose that those worms that come to maturity when winter is approaching, by instinct 

 seek some place protected from cold, and, if not disturbed, might remain in chrysalis 

 till the proper amount of heat would develop them into the moths. Those that are 

 badly or slightly protected from cold may either be frozen by cold weather or warmed 

 into life by a few warm days, while those that are properly protected, which probably 

 are but few, will pass through the winter, and be revived only by the hot sun of Mav 

 or June. 



8. Almost all domestic fowls will eat the worm. Geese will eat them to some extent, 

 while chickens, turkeys, and guinea-fowls will grow fat on them. Almost all wild birds 

 will eat them, and a large wasp, both black and red varieties, seems to be fond of the 

 worm. In this section there are great numbers of a lace-winged fly, commonly called 

 mosqnito-hawks. These are of various sizes and colors, and are very expert in catch- 

 ing the moth on the wing. I believe this mosquito-hawk is very influential in pre- 

 venting the progress of the worm. 



While on this question I would like to state that it is my opinion that much good 

 could be accomplished, and probably many fields might be saved, if birds that are 

 insectivorous could be domiciled in the field. From what I have heard of the Eng- 

 lish sparrow it occurs to nie that this would be the bird for the purpose. If bird- 

 houses are located in various parts of the field, the .birds would naturally hunt for 

 insects near their homes, and the consequence, I think, would be that in all cotton 

 fields well supplied with these birds the caterpillar would be kept down. - If the 

 English sparrow can be domiciled, that is, will stick to its house and feed around, it 

 could be macfee of great benefit to the cotton region. The suggestion is offered for 

 your consideration. 



Verv respectfullv. 



F. M. McMEEKIN. 



C. V. Riley, CMef 77. S. E. C. 



Sax Antoxio, Tex., Sejjtemher 11, 1879. 



I shall not answer your questions as I find them in the Herald of this city, for I pre- 

 sume there will be plenty of answersfor you. My object is to state a fact bearing on 

 the Cotton Worm. I planted cotton in the State of Nueva Leon. Mexico, five leagues 

 below the city of Monterey, in 1867. Cotton had never l)een planted at the place, 

 nor nearer than 200 miles to it^ in this world's history. I broughtithe seed from San 

 Antonio, Tex., the ordinary Petit Gulf seed. The genuine Cotton Caterpillar ap- 

 peared in the last days of May, and by the end of June ate up the crop. In the city 

 of Monterey, at the same time, I planted in my garden (a large one) two patches of 

 cotton— one the Texas seed, the other the black seed of the Sea Island genus, that is 

 generally planted in Mexico. The distance between the two patches was, say, 200 

 yards. I received a note from my partner at the hacienda below Monterey, about 

 10 o'clock in the morning, telling me that he had discovered the worm in the cotton 

 field. I at the moment passed into my garden SLud found the worm in both patches. 



Now, the question is, where did they come from ? The egg or germ could not have 

 been in the seed, as the butterfly cannot reach the seed to lay her eggs, and the gin 

 would have destroyed them. I assert that they could not have been blown there, or 

 have remained deposited in the earth from the creation thereof; yet they came. The 

 weather was showery, hot, sultry, and between showers a hot sun. I have planted cot- 

 .ton all my life ; have noticed the worm, and have always found them to come after such 

 weather as I describe. When you walk between the rows after a shower, and a sort 

 of hot steam vapor comes up, then look out for the butterfly. I also planted cotton 

 in the laguua, or Rio Nazas country, in the State of Durango, Mexico, in 1873-74- 

 7.5-'76, where we plant the black seed but once in five or seven years ; as a general 

 thing the same Cotton Worm to which I have been accustomed in Texas came every 

 year ; but, as there is but little rain there, they seldom come before September, and 

 too late to do much harm. Scientists say there is no orioinal creation possible now; 

 that all things of this world had their beginning when it was made; but 1 believe 

 that the atmosphere created the germ right there. When I was a boy there were no 

 Cotton Worms ; now they never fail. These are points to which you are devoting 

 your time, and so fraught are they with the interests of our people that all will wish 

 to aid you as they can ; and I write this to state a fact, but which I know will add to 

 your dijBQculty. 



Respectfully, 



H. P. BEE. 



Prof. C. V. Riley. Chief V. ^. E. C. 



