BOLL WEEATn:.. 17 



August. Infestation will likely be too great for any large number 

 of squares formed after that time to survi^'e.. 



It has been demonstrated conclusively that cotton can be grown 

 with fair success under boll-weevil conditions, provided improved 

 methods are followed and favorable weather conditions prevail. It 

 will be well for the farmers of South Carolina to practice in advance 

 of the boll weevil's coming those principles of scientific cultivation 

 which would represent a good investment even were no boll weevils 

 present. The following simple directions will accomplish the best 

 results when the boll weevil reaches South Carolina, and with the 

 exception of those processes particularly designed to destroy the 

 weevil, and to prevent its multiplication should be practiced now as 

 well as later. 



SOILS. 



The value of a well- drained^ fertile soil can not he overestimated 

 in f.ghting the holl weevil. In the first place., a well-drained soil is 

 absolutely necessary to success., as cotton will not malee an early 

 growth on a cold wet soil. In the second place., it has not ieen found 

 ■profitable to raise cotton on poor land under holl-weevil conditions 

 because the overhead expenses are so great that it makes the cost of 

 production very high per pound of cotton. 



The first and most important factor in raising cotton profitably 

 under holl-weevil conditions is a fertile' sail. 



2' he best practices to follow in order to secure a fertile soil are: 



1. Plant winter cover crops. These not qnly help to conserve the 

 fertility of the land and prevent washing and leaching ., hut they also 

 ore vatuahle because the boll weevil can not live through the winter 

 in a green cover crop. '•...' 



2. Plant summer legumes everywhere possible and ploip under all 

 such crops as are not needed to feed the live stock. This will reduce 

 the fertilizer bill and add much valuable organic matter to the soils. 



S. Rotate crops so that cotton will not be planted on the same land 

 two years in succession. 



4. JJse commercial fertilizer judiciously and all the barnyard ma- 

 nure possible. 



PBEPAEATION. 



Whe7^e a cover crop is grown on land during the fall and winter, 

 it should he plowed under early in the spring so that the land will 

 have ample time to settle before planting. Cotton comes up more 

 quickly and starts growth earlier if planted on a firm, well-settled 

 seed bed than if planted on a loose one. 



Whe?'e no cover crop is used the land should he plowed in the fall 

 or early lointer, if a heavy clay soil, or early in the spring in the case 

 of a sandy soil, and the seed beds ■■should be made up early in the 

 spring so' that they will have ample time to settle before planting. 

 Clay soils when ploiued in the fall should he plowed deep to give 

 more room for root development. No soil should he plowed deep 

 in the late spnng or just before planting. '' 



