EXERCISES FOR SOUTHERN RURAL SCHOOLS. 29 
will have covered the entire area of this section. The best authorities 
maintain that winter is one of the most important seasons for com- 
bating this injurious pest. For these reasons it is very important 
that the study of insects should include some work with the boll weevil 
during this month. 
(1) Look for the weevil (a) in cracked bolls, (b) in empty burs, 
(c) under trash and grasses in the field, (d) in cracks im the soil, and 
(ec) in Spanish moss. (2) Does the weevil hibernate in the pupal 
stage or in the adult state? (3) Does it show evidences of being 
alive when found? (4) What means of destroying the weevils in 
such winter quarters suggest themselves—cutting and burning stalks ? 
Raking and burning the rubbish and grass? Breaking the land? 
(5) Store some weevils in bottles in a cool place. Do they die during 
the winter? If not, note when they become active in the spring. 
Have members of the class find and bring to school potatoes 
affected with soft rot. Study them after this outline: 
(1) How does affected part appear? 
(2) Can black mold be seen on the potatoes? Is this the cause of the rot? Is 
this the mold seen on bread? 
(3) What kind of odor do affected potatoes have? 
(4) Have the rotting potatoes bruised or cut places? Should bruised or cut 
potatoes be stored? 
(5) Are there indications of ‘‘sweating” or moisture on other stored potatoes? 
(6) Can soft rot be prevented? How? 
(7) What varieties suffer least? Most? 
Practical work.—Searching for boll weevils and potatoes with soft 
rot and making observations with mammals and birds as suggested 
give interesting practical work. Boll weevils should be examined and 
destroyed, and records should be made of all work in notebooks. 
Correlations.—The teacher should experience no difficulty in finding 
ample material for written work. 
Drawing: Make drawings of boll weevils, and potatoes affected 
with soft rot. 
History: Read pages 3 and 4, Farmers’ Bul. 548. 
Arithmetic: If a pair of boll weevils produce a progeny of 10,000,000 
individuals in one year, estimate the number that would be pre- 
vented if by raking and burning rubbish on an acre of land six hiber- 
nating insects should be destroyed. Develop problems for the areas 
in cotton at the different homes in the class; for the cotton acreage of 
the community. 
