THE BOLL WEEVIL is the most destructive pest of the 

 cotton crop. So rapid has been its spread since it first 

 invaded a few counties in southern Texas about 1892 that 

 practically 90 percent of the entire Cotton Belt is now 

 infested. This infested area produces about 90 percent of 

 the cotton crop of the United States. The losses suffered 

 by cotton farmers during years of heavy infestation by the 

 boll weevil amount to many millions of dollars. The 

 damage on individual farms varies widelv. In some vears 

 injury is only slight; in others the cotton crop is seriously 

 reduced. How to control weevil damage effectivelv has 

 been a problem of much concern to the cotton States and 

 to the Federal Government for many years. 



This publication tells the important facts about the 

 weevil — what it looks like, how it lives, how it grows, the 

 damage it does, and the different ways of controlling it 

 commonlv used. Written in simple language, it is intended 

 especially for boys and girls, although it should be useful 

 also to grown-ups who want to learn about the weevil and 

 how to fight it. Teachers, club leaders, and extension 

 workers also should find this publication of value in teaching 

 the necessarv facts about boll weevil control. 



