THE COTTON WORM IX SOUTH TEXAS. 



appearance of the worm here, as well i here, was coincident with 



plowing while the land was wet and temperature ruling high, thus induc- 

 ing an abnormal temperature by disturbing natural capillarity. The 

 present temperature, May 15. corresponds with the temperature of .Madi- 

 son County. Mississippi, in August, when worms make their appearance 

 there. I here first tried the experiment of burning molasses placed in 

 a pan over a lamp chimney, placing on tin- ground another plate con- 

 taining molasses and coal-oil. First night caught two moth-, se 

 night caught ten. Would recommend in all cases, the burning of mo- 

 68, as it is my belief that the aroma is more attractive than light. 



These were the first moths caught, though lights had often been pre- 

 viously used. Will here remark that every field I visited in Texas was 

 infested with ants, varying from the largest to the smallest size, and 

 differing in color. They are great pests and not only damage Btands 

 of cottou by cutting it down, as the cut-worm does, but one sp< 

 sometimes excavates considerable areas with its subterranean bouses, 

 and thereby ruins both corn and cotton. They doubtless, from their 

 predaceous habits, destroy a great many worms, and the farmers say 

 they do. 



My next visit was to Columbia, Brazoria County, where I inter- 

 viewed several of the most intelligent citizens, and visited a tield on the 

 Brazos in company with Col. John Adriance. an old and highly intel- 

 ligent planter. Here I found the worm on cotton near the river bank, 

 specimens of which I sent you. though they had doubtless webbed up 

 before reaching you. This brood was about to pass into chrysalis, as 

 it was at Hempstead, showing it to be about contemporaneous. Xo new 

 features to be observed here. The opinion prevails that the insect win- 

 ters here. 



I next visited Judge William J. Jones in quest of Anomis exact", but 

 had a fruitless search, as he planted no cotton this season. As the 

 specimen sent to you by him, two years ago. was among a lot of chrys- 

 alids. gathered both on the Brazos and at his home place, and as In- had 

 never seen the larva of exacta, to know it distinctly from Aletia, he would 

 have been unable to identify it. 



Next proceeded to Columbus, on the Colorado. The soil here was 

 lighter colored and more sandy than ou the Brazos, in fact so lo<>- 

 to be drifted by the prevailing winds. It nevertheless possesses great 

 fertility. I found cotton here of good size and forming, and^oon found 

 the worm. Saw here the same topographical features and physical 

 agencies as elsewhere that seem to influence the life of Aletia. 



Went on to San Antonio and saw near Seguin in an upland tield near 

 the Guadalupe Biver some of the largesl cotton 1 met with, but saw 

 there nothing of interest to report. 



Would have continued my observations in Southern Texas until the 

 end of June, but as I found the insect wherever 1 went, as far north 

 even as Hempstead, I determined to return to Mississippi, to watch its 

 incoming there, as that is still an unsettled question. 



