4 
4 
v 
x 
EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 15 
In the case of bolls the conclusions indicated are quite similar to 
those which have been stated for squares. The percentage of locks 
showing proliferation in consequence of weevil injury is remarkably 
uniform, varying through a range of only 16 per cent in three years in 
three localities and with two varieties. Furthermore, the percentage 
is almost identical with that shown for squares. 
By far the highest percentage of mortality among weevils in bolls 
was that found in Victoria in 1903, when an average of 40.5 per cent 
of all immature stages was found dead in King bolls. The weather 
during a six-weeks period preceding the examination was exceptionally 
cool and dry, but a heavy rain falling shortly before the examination 
was made may have been a factor in markedly increasing the mortality. 
The percentage of dead stages in locks in the presence of proliferation 
for all the bolls examined averaged 7 per cent higher than it did in 
squares. The percentage of dead stages in locks where no prolifera- 
tion occurred was also higher in bolls than in squares by nearly 15 per 
cent, so that the increase in mortality apparently due to proliferation 
was only about 13.4 per cent in bolls, whereas it was 19.2 per cent in 
squares. It would appear that in bolls the normal mortality, which 
has no relation to proliferation, is not as clearly influenced by vary- 
ing climatic conditions as it appears to be in the squares. 
EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 
In connection with Tables III and IV, some statement should be 
made regarding the climatic conditions prevailing in each locality dur- 
ing the periods in which the observations recorded were being made. 
The statements following are based largely upon the published 
Weather Bureau records. We shall begin with the records for Vic- 
toria in 1903, considering first the data for about six weeks preceding 
the examination of bolls made on October 14, 1903, as we may safely 
assume that a large majority of these bolls had been attacked within 
that time. While preceding conditions, especially those regarding 
rainfall, may have had some influence upon plant growth during this 
period, we believe they may safely be disregarded, assuming that the 
conditions immediately prevailing would be most significant in their 
influence upon the growth of the plant, the development of the weevil 
stages in buds and bolls, and the formation of proliferation. 
The mean average temperature at Victoria during September, 1903, 
was 77.2° F., which was 3.7° below the normal. During the first thir- 
teen days of October the mean temperature averaged 75.8°, which was 
about normal. Precipitation during September was. very slight, 
amounting to only 0.54 inch, which was nearly 3 inches below the 
normal. During the first thirteen days of October the rainfall 
amounted to 1.75 inches, which was 0.42 inch above the normal. 
