[g I HI. MEXICAN COTTON-BOLL WEEVIL. 



territory occupied by the pesi brought about an enlarged appropria- 

 tion for the work of 1903. It thus became possible to increase the 

 number and size of the experimental holds as well as to devote more 

 ntion to the investigation of matters suggested by previous 

 work in the laboratory. Seven experimental and demonstrations] 

 fair egating 558 acres, were accordingly established in as 



many distinct cotton districts in Texas. 



During 1903 the weevil was recorded from San Juan, Guatemala, 

 by G. C. Champion. In this same year it was discovered that the 



evils were being introduced in cottonseed into the "Laguna" 

 district in the Stale of Coahuila, Mexico, but effective measures were 

 taken by the Mexican authorities, and the infestation was suppressed. 

 Since that time the weevil has never been recorded from this impor- 

 tant cotton region. The year 1903 is also important as being that 

 in which the weevil first crossed the Sabine Kiver into Sabine and 

 Calcasieu Parishes in Louisiana. Another feature of the year was 

 a la rire boll-weevil convention held at Dallas, Tex., which estab- 

 lished a permanent organization and issued a number of valuable 

 circulars relating to the problem. A similar meeting was held in 

 New Orleans on November 30, at which the governor of the State 

 presided. 



In 1904 a general realization of the great damage done by the 

 boll weevil led to the appropriation by Congress of 8250,000 for use 

 in enabling the Secretary of Agriculture to meet the emergency 

 caused by the ravages of the insect. It thus became possible again 

 to increase the number of experimental farms and to pay especial 

 attention to a number of important matters that could not be investi- 

 gal ed previously. The large appropriation was used in part to estab- 

 lish the demonstration work of the department. The object of this 

 work was to demonstrate the methods of control perfected and 

 demonstrated previously by the Bureau of Entomology. It has 

 gradually developed into the well-known Farmers' Cooperative 

 Demonstration Work of the Bureau of Plant Industry. 



With the advent of the weevil into Louisiana that State began 

 energetic work against the pest. Largely through the eil'orts of 

 Prof. W. C. Stubbs an extraordinary session of the legislature was 

 convened early in 1<»04. The action decided upon was the estab- 

 lishment of t he Crop Pest Commission of Louisiana, with full authority 

 to i ake such a course as might be found advisable. Prof. II. A. Mor- 

 gan became secretary and entomologist of the commission. In 1905 

 rrof. Morgan was succeeded by Mr. Wilmon Newell, who continued 

 the cooperative investigations with the Bureau of Entomology 

 throughout the period of Ms services in Louisiana, which extended 

 to January 31, l«)10. 



During 1904 two conventions were held at Shreveport, La. The 

 first discussed especially the local feature? of the problem, while the 

 mkI, which was held in .November, was national in its scope. It 

 was attended by delegates from most of the Southern States. 



The year 100 [ witnessed an extensive dispersion of the weevil into 

 rions in Texas and Louisiana. During this year, Dr. O. F. 

 >k, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, found the weevil thoroughly 

 established in Alta Vera Pa/. Guatemala. 



At the beginning of 1905 the laboratory of the bureau was moved 

 from Victoria to Dallas, Tex., where it' has since remained. The 



