: 
Aside from the habit of determinate growth, perhaps the most 
‘important tendency of the cotton plant that has the effect of avoiding 
damage by the boll weevil is that of proliferation in the squares and 
bolls, which was first observed by Dr. W. E. Hinds in 1902 at Vic- 
toria, Tex. The present paper places on record a large number of 
observations and experiments relating to this phenomenon, which 
have been carried on for several years by the boll-weevil investigation 
in Texas. The studies upon which the paper is based were planned 
primarily to determine the ways by which proliferation actually 
affects the weevil. Other features of proliferation have been dealt 
with fully by Mr. O. F. Cook, whose publications are referred to more 
specifically in the text. In addition to the general interest of the 
information given, much of it will undoubtedly be of special advan- 
tage to those who are engaged in cotton-breeding work. 
As will be seen in the following pages, it has been ascertained that 
the rate of mortality among weevils in squares of American upland 
varieties of cotton is higher by about 13.5 per cent as a result of pro- 
liferation. This in itself is of no little significance, but it is to be 
noted that the greatest importance of proliferation is in connection 
with some of the foreign varieties of cotton, which seem to have 
this property developed to a much greater extent than the American 
upland varieties. Consequently, the discoveries of Mr. O. F. Cook, 
relating to the Kekchi cotton of Guatemala and the possibility of 
utilizing this cotton in the United States, are of great interest. 
An important difficulty which will be encountered in the work 
of breeding cottons which proliferate to a great extent, will be the 
capability for adaptation on the part of the boll weevil. That this 
insect has considerable capability for adaptation is shown in the 
great variation in the size of the adults, the result of conditions of food 
supply in the immature stages to which it has adapted itself, as well 
as inmany other ways. Asa matter of fact, the capacity of the weevil 
for adaptation is probably fully as great as is the natural adaptive 
capacity of the cotton plant. Nevertheless, the interference of man 
may throw the advantage greatly in favor of the plant. 
The work upon which this publication is based was performed 
under the general direction of the writer by Dr. W. E. Hinds. He 
was assisted in various ways by practically all the agents of the boll- 
weevil investigations, but more particularly by Messrs. A. C. Morgan, 
W.W. Yothers, W. Dwight Pierce, A. W. Morrill, and F. C. Pratt. 
| W. D. Hunter, 
| In Charge of Cotton Boll Weevil Investigations. 
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