og 
much less than observed in the laboratory. We are inclined to the 
view that it is due either to the last two factors or to some other fac- 
tor which has not been recognized. This discrepancy emphasizes the 
necessity for accurately observing the actual conditions on a large 
scale in different fields in different sections of the State, constantly 
throughout the season, if we are to obtain accurate knowledge of the 
true habits and rate of increase of the boll weevil and the amount of 
injury wrought by it; and I doubt not the same principle will apply 
to the study of many other insects. 
Regarding remedies there is but little new to say. <A great furore 
has been raised over the alleged discovery that Paris green is a rem- 
edy for the weevil when dusted, but extensive experiments have 
failed to show that it may be of any great value. in the control of 
the weevil. Where the weevils are abundant enough for it to be 
of benefit—for it will kill weevils when they are thick enough in 
the spring before the cotton begins squaring—they could better have 
been prevented by destruction the previous faJl, and where the 
weevils are few in number it is of no value at all, so far as we can 
ascertain, and the progeny of but two weevils on June 1 will be 
numerous enough by early in August to stop blooming and prevent 
further fruiting. ‘The fact is that Paris green appeals to the farmer 
because it 1s claimed to be a “remedy.” Now, the average farmer, 
the country over, cries for a remedy, when by the use of a simple 
and inexpensive preventive he would have no need for it. Therefore, 
although Paris green may be of some value when weevils occur in 
enormous numbers on stubble cotton allowed to stand, or where the 
stalks have not been removed, it seems to me that the less said as to its 
partial efficacy the better. Neither Paris green nor any other poison 
will ever control the weevil, but with shght encouragement the farmer 
will waste much money in trying some one of them. We need in 
such cases more entomological hygiene and less remedial treatment 
It seems to the writer. therefore, that the holding out of any hope 
to the planter that a ‘““remedy ” for the weevil may be discovered is 
doing him an injury. The press is ever ready to magnify any possi- 
bility of a “remedy.” I have yet to meet the entomologist who 
thinks the finding of a “remedy” other than those now known 
probable or possible. It does seem, therefore, that the quicker 
everyone 1n an official position authoritatively states that he is not 
working to find new “remedies ” but to perfect the methods of con- 
trol already known, the better it will be for the farmer. 
The past season has demonstrated to me that the “ cultural meth- 
ods,” by which we mean growing cotton so early that a crop will be 
made before the serious injury occurs, are not alone sufficient to insure 
acrop. If the previous winter be dry and open and an unusual num- 
