THE COTTON WORM IX SOUTH TEXAS. 33* 



I next went to Virginia Point, to visit Judge William J. Jone 

 former correspondent of the Department. My interviews with him 

 were most interesting, and were made exceedingly agreeable by his kind 

 and affable manner. His experience with Aletia has been extent 



and has embraced a number of years, during which he has watched its 

 comingand progress closely, and has contended with it most vigorously 



and persistently. He is regarded on this subject as high authority, and 

 is the originator of an improved variety of cotton, Texas sea-island. 



I questioned him closely in reference to his having observed Aletia 

 larva descend by a web to the earth to pass through chrysalis. Although 

 observing that as a rule the chrysalis is made on the plant, he has nev- 

 ertheless seen it make the descent and pass into chrysalis on the earth. 

 This would be an exceptional case. Although not using scientific meth- 

 ods in his study of Aletia, he has been a close observer, and has made 

 himself familiar with its habits. He has used lights extensively, and 

 believes strongly in their efficacy. He has also experimented largely 

 with poisons, always with the result of killing the worm, and occasion- 

 ally killing his cotton likewise. This led to careful experiments, eon- 

 ducted by himself, and to the adoption of the following formula, viz: 



To 5 pounds of pure, unadulterated arsenic add 1 pound sal soda: boil in a tin 

 vessel holding 5 gallons of water till the whole is thoroughly dissolved. If dry, one 

 quart of this mixture to be put in 40 gallons of water well straiued. This will spray 

 one acre. If showery weather, add an additional pint. This will not cost over 3 

 .cents an acre, and will kill in twelve to fifteen hours. 



As this place has suffered from the Cotton Worm in past years, no 

 cotton being planted there this season, it will not be amiss to mention 

 some of its topographical features. Judge Jones's plantation is located 

 on the extreme southeastern point of Galveston County, bounded on the 

 east, south, and west by Galveston Bay. and extending to its margin. 

 It forms, in fact, a peninsula, and is comparatively isolated. The soil 

 jS rich, black prairie, abounding in shells and lime. The banana, ora 

 oleander, and cape jessamine, and other tropical fruits and flowers grow 

 luxuriantly. The Gulf breeze is perpetual. The temperature in winter 

 rarely descends below 32° F. The shrubbery as well as the native 

 larger growth and matted weeds would afford admirable shelter for 

 hibernation. It is Judge Jones's opinion that the insect hibernates here 

 and does not come by immigration. He believes likewise that it hiber- 

 nates as chrysalis, but offered no facts in support of this theory that 

 could be regarded as conclusive. 



The next place visited by me was the plantation of Col. L. A. Ellis, 

 at Walker's Station, Fort Bend County, situated in the Brazos bottoms. 

 3 miles from the river, having in cultivation 3,000 acres. 1,000 of which 

 was in cotton. The season being a backward one. the cotton was small, 

 and an examination furnished nothing of interest. 



As the crops here are annually visited by the worm, which, in seasons 

 favorable for its propagation, does great damage. I noted the topog- 

 .") 1 35 3 



