2 LEAFLET 3 7, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



The following brief digest of conditions is intended to assist the 

 farmer in deciding whether or not to poison, and in selecting the 

 equipment most suitable for his special problem. 



Will It Pay to Poison? 



It will pay to poison— 



If the weevils are really injuring your crop seriously, and 



If your land is sufficiently fertile to yield at least one-third of a 

 bale per acre if injury by the weevil is eliminated, and 



If your farming organization is such that you feel assured that the 

 application of poison will be made at the right time and in the right 

 manner, and 



If you are willing to spend the full amount necessary to provide 

 an adequate equipment of dusting machinery and an adequate supply 

 of calcium arsenate. 



The Presquare Application 



The presquare treatment should be given only on those fields where 

 the overwintered weevils are unusually abundant in the early spring. 



It should be made just when the cotton begins to square. 



Either calcium-arsenate dust or a mixture of calcium arsenate and 

 molasses may be used for this treatment. 



If dust is used it should be applied at the rate of from 2 to 3 pounds 

 per acre. 



For applying the dust shakers, bags, and the like may be used, or 

 any type of dusting machine recommended for later applications, pro- 

 vided the nozzles are lowered sufficiently for the dust to reach the 

 small plants. 



In applying the mixture of molasses and arsenate use 1 pound of 

 calcium arsenate to 1 gallon of water and 1 gallon of molasses (table 

 sirup preferred), thoroughly mixed together and applied to the 

 plants not more than 48 hours after the mixing. 



Apply this mixture at the rate of 1 gallon per acre by means of a 

 homemade rag mop, taking care to reach all growing tips of the plant. 



In all cases repeat the application if a heavy rain falls within 24 

 hours after treatment. 



On fruiting cotton, only dust should be applied. 



How to Dust 



Begin dusting when the weevils have punctured approximately 1Q 

 per cent of the squares. 



Use only pure cotton-dusting calcium arsenate in the form of a dry 

 powder. 



Use from 4 to 6 pounds per acre for each application, except in the 

 case of presquare dusting. 



Use only dusting machinery especially constructed for cotton 

 dusting. 



If possible, dust only when the air is reasonably calm and when the 

 cotton plants are moist. 



Kepeat applications at 5-day intervals, as may be found necessary 

 to keep the weevils under control. 



