BOLL WEEVIL. 13 



However, thei-e is a bright side of this Louisiana picture, for while 

 the cotton crop of the State was greatly reduced, the total value of 

 all crops produced in the State greatly increased. This is shown by 

 the following figures, which are taken from Dr. Hunter's compila- 

 tions: For the four years prior to the invasion by the boll weevil 

 (1899 to 1902) the average value of all crops was $68,394,150 per 

 year. For the first five years of infestation (1903 to 1907, inclusive) 

 the average value was $88,776,272. For the next five years. (1908 to 

 1912, inclusive), during which the effects of the weevil were most 

 serious, the average was $78,111,000. During 1913 and 1914 the aver- 

 age was $94,884,472. These figures teach the important lesson that 

 while the boll weevil may reduce the cotton yield of a State, it does 

 not necessarily reduce its ability to produce equal and even greater 

 wealth. 



EFFECT ON OIL MILLS AND GINNERIES. 



No industries in the State are more seriously threatened by the 

 coming of the weevil than are the cotton oil mills and ginneries. It 

 will be interesting to note the effects of the boll weevil on these indus- 

 tries in several States where the boll weevil has been present for a 

 number of years. 



In 1906 there were 2,076 operating ginneries in Louisiana and 149 

 idle. In 1915 there were only 1,086 operating ginneries and 351 idle. 

 During this period, therefore, 788 ginneries entirely disappeared. 

 Putting the average value of a ginnery at $2 500, the loss in ginneries 

 alone to the State of Louisiana was $1,960,000. In 1906 there were 

 25 oil mills in operation. This year there are only 14, showing 11 

 mills either idle or abandoned. The average value of an oil mill. 

 is about $30,000, making a total loss on ginneries and oil mills of 

 $2,290,000. 



In Mississippi in 1906 there were 3,780 active ginneries and 372 

 idle. In 1915 there were only 2,204 active ginneries and 534 idle. 

 During this same period, therefore, in Mississippi, 1,414 ginneries 

 disappeared, entailing a loss to the State of $3,535,000. In the same 

 State there were 84 oil mills before the advent of the boll weevil, 

 and this year there are only 54 operating, showing 30 oil mills 

 abandoned or destroyed. The total loss on ginneries and oil mills m 

 Mississippi was approximately $4,435,000. 



In South Carolina there are 60 oil mills, owned by local capital. 

 These mills crush one-fourth of the seed produced in the State. 

 The other three-fourths is bought and crushed by corporations, such 

 as the Cotton Oil Co., the Buckeye Cotton Oil Co., and the Union 

 Seed & Fertilizer Co. These corporations own large mills and can 

 better tide over a bad situation. The small mills owned by South 

 Carolinians do not occupy such a position. 



So far as the oil mills are concerned, therefore, the matter resolves 

 itself into the proposition of raw material. The mills are worthless 

 unless they have something to work, and if the boll weevil materially 

 reduces the raw material available some other seed that it is possible 

 to work in oil mills must be provided. Otherwise there will result 

 the same series of failures and abandonments that have taken place 

 in the States cited. Peanuts, and especially soy beans, offer the best 

 solution. The soy bean can be grown successfully in all parts of 



