6 HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 
with the Department of Agriculture in its efforts that the pests may be thoroughly 
and rapidly met and remedies generally applied. It also recommended that two- 
thirds of the cotton seed, consisting of the quick-maturing varieties now being bought 
by the Government, be planted upon these experiment farms in each county, so 
that a large volume of the improved seed be provided for Texas planting in 1905. 
These suggestions are wise, we think, and could best be carried out under the plan 
we have outlined. The value of having Texas and Louisiana farmers on the com- 
mission is that they will bring to the work of the commission a practical knowledge 
of the people, climate, and crops involved, and will induce confidence ia its recom- 
mendations and aid organization and uniformity of methods and cooperation by cot- 
ton planters. We further suggest that a fund, to be called ‘‘the cotton-investigation 
fund,’’ of $500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be set aside to be 
expended by the Secretary of Agriculture in furthering all the purposes contem- 
plated herein; and in this connection we suggest that possibly the remainder of the 
fund of a similar amount appropriated to stamp out ‘‘the foot-and-mouth disease’’ 
might be utilized for the fund jointly, so as not to greatly increase the appropria- 
tions for the Congress. 
., It may be possible that the named amount may not be expended in one year, but 
the conditions are such that it is almost impossible to e-timate in advance and in 
detail what the expenditures ought to be and will be, and by far the better method 
is to grant this commission a sufficient sum to cover all A sie phases of its work 
and to inspire confidence and cooperation on the part of the cotton planters. The 
commission properly organized could so lay out the work as to expedite it in all its 
phases and Heng immediate returns to the fullest possible extent, and would not be 
hampered in the matter of specific requirements, as would be the case in one of the 
appropriations for the Department proper. A detailed statement as to how this 
money ought to be expended so as to bring practical results is difficult, but we 
suggest the following problems: 
First. Demonstration of improved cultural methods. 
Second. The location and supervision of experiment stations in counties or in 
districts organized in one or more counties. 
Third. Work, having for its objects the production and distribution of early weevil- 
resisting varieties of cotton. ; 7 
Fourth. Studies of cotton diseases. 
Fifth. Studies of cotton insects. 
Sixth. Introduction of new crops. : 
Seventh. Studies and experiments in connection with methods for destruction of 
the boll weevil and other cotton insects. 
Eighth. Studies of the enemies of the insects. 
Ninth. General propaganda. 
Tenth. Cooperation between the States of Texas and Louisiana in methods to be 
devised to check and confine the ravages of the cotton-boll weevil to Texas and pre- 
vent its spread in Texas and into other cotton States. 
In our judgment, possibly, the sum we have mentioned may be economically con- 
sumed in one year. It.may be deemed advisable to cooperate with Louisiana in 
stamping out the first appearance of the boll weevil in the cotton fields of western 
Louisiana, and if this be deemed feasible twice the sum named could be sensibly 
expended annually for that purpose alone. We therefore pray the Secretary to rec- 
ommend to Congress the adoption of these suggestions. 
8. M. Robertson, R. C. Davey, R. F. Broussard, Phanor Breazeale, Jos. E. 
Ransdell, A. P. Pujo, Adolph Meyer, members from Louisiana; 8. B. 
Cooper, chairman Texas delegation, Scott Field, Geo. F. Burgess, Mor- 
ris Sheppard, O. W. Gillespie, C. B. Randell, Jno. N. Garner, Jack 
Beall, Jas. L. Slayden, R. L. Henry, A. W. Gregg, A. S. Burleson, 
W.R. Smith, Gordon Russell, John H. Stephens, members from Texas. 
It will appear from that statement that we recommended unani- 
mously—for this is signed, as you will see, by all the members of the 
Texas and Louisiana delegation—a plan having two points, practically. 
First, the creation of a $500,000 fund; second, the organization of a 
commission of five members under the direction and supreme absolute 
control, of course, of the Secretary of Agriculture, both with reference 
to organization of the commission, the plans, rules, and regulations 
which control it, and the expenditure of the fund which supports it. 
Acting upon that statement, you will find in the last report of the 
Secretary of Agriculture a very full discussion of this matter, a very 
