a2 
exceedingly small number of weevils on Brazos bottom plantations 
in 1903 must have been due to the flood late in the winter preceding, 
which undoubtedly killed large numbers of the weevils hibernating 
on the ground below the water level in the fields or elsewhere. Had 
this flood occurred after the emergence of the weevils it would prob- 
ably not have materially reduced their numbers. A larger number of 
weevils always appear about outbuildings and barns and, very notice- 
ably, near gins. : 
The mortality of the hibernating weevils is a matter of consider- 
able importance, for, were it not for the large number which fail to 
survive the winter, it would be impossible to grow cotton in the 
infested region. Of 500 weevils going into hibernation in cages 
where they were largely protected 7 per cent survived. Hunter and 
Hinds have indicated that about 15 percent survive at Victoria, and 
the data available would indicate that this is usually about the per- 
centage for southern ‘Texas. At College Station, however, extensive 
observations show that normally only about 2 per cent, and rarely 
over 5 per cent, survive in the field; or, in other words, but one-fifth 
as many as in southern Texas. ‘That this is a most important factor 
in determining the possible amount and time of damage the next 
season is apparent. Ifa similar difference is found between central 
and northern Texas it will be a matter of great importance for the 
latter section of the State and other portions of the cotton belt. 
Careful estimates of the number surviving in southern Texas during 
the last winter show that in Lavaca County fully 30 per cent, or 
twice as many as usual, survived. With this number appearing in 
the spring, amounting to about 2,500 per acre by actual count, it is 
impossible to raise a profitable cotton crop by any means now known. 
As a result, for the first time since they have been infested, the 
counties of southern Texas, which have heretofore showed no marked 
decrease in production owing to the weeyil, produced almost no crop. 
The method used for determining the number of weevils surviving 
was to count a large number of stalks in the fall at time of hiberna- 
tion and determine the number of weevils per stalk; then, in the 
spring, to count them in a similar way until the first summer brood 
commenced to emerge. In this way the number of weevils per acre, 
both in fall and spring, can be very accurately determined, provided 
large numbers of stalks are counted in several fields in one vicinity; 
and we believe this to be the most accurate method of determining the 
actual mortality which takes place in the field under natural con- 
ditions. 
The time of the greatest mortality is a matter of some interest. As 
nearly as can be judged from the meager data now available. the 
largest number died in December coincident with the greatest rainfall 
of the winter, which was above normal for that month. Usually the 
