APPENDIX VII. 
REPORTS OF CONSULS AND CONSULAR AGENTS ON THE 
( OTTON CROP AM) ITS ENEMIES iN MEXICO, CENTRAL 
AND S()( Til AMERICA, AM) THE WEST LNDIES. 
[In pursuing the study of the insects affecting the cotton plant, as ordered by Con- 
gress, and especially of the* Cotton Worm (Ahtia lulina), we found that it was abso- 
lutely necessary, for the solution of some of tbe more important questions, to get a 
better knowledge than we had been able to acquire of cotton culture and ihe working 
of this insect in Central and Smith America, as also in the West Indies and other 
foreign countries. It occurred to us thai the United States consuls at various points 
might give the Commission valuable aid in this part of its work if applied to for in- 
formation. We therefore prepared the accompanying letter of inquiry, which was 
otlicially transmitted through the Secretary of the Interior, in October, 1S79, to our 
consuls at the following points, with the request that they reply through the Depart- 
ment to the best of their ability and at as early a date as possible: Vera Cruz, 
Teliuantepec, Tampico, Tuxpan, Mazatlan, Manzanillo (Mexico) ■ Merida, Cainpeachy, 
Belize (Honduras); Carthagena, Maracaibo, Bogota (United States of Colombia); 
Barcelona (Venezuela) ; Trinidad, Barbadocs, Martinique (West Indies) ; l'ara. l'er- 
Bambneo ami Bahia (Brazil). 
CIRCULAR LETTER. 
Dear Sir: The United States Kniomological Commission is now making a thorough 
study of the insects affecting the Cotton plant, and especially of the Cotton Worm in 
the United States, and desires to get facts and statistics regarding Cotton culture and 
the insect enemies of the plant in . 
You are respectfully requested to send to Prof. C. V. Riley, through the Depart- 
ment, such facts as yon can obtain on the following points: 
1. — To what extent is cotton grown and what are the peculiarities of culture? 
2. — What are its worst insect enemies ? 
'.). — Does the Cotton Worm or Cotton ( aterpillar ( .Inomis xi/lina, Say, a green looping 
worm with white lines and black dots encircled with white) attack it ? and if so, 
give its habits, especially during the winter months. 
4. — Has this worm always been In the country, or is it believed to be an importa- 
tion # 
5. — How long has cotton been grown in and does it grow wild? 
b\ — What is the prevailing direction of the wind during the months of March, April, 
June, and duly .' 
7. — Transmit, if possible, in alcohol, specimens of the worm most destructive to the 
plant. 
The following replies indicate the extent of the information obtained by the above 
means:] 
Department of State, 
Washington, December 18, 1879. 
Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of dis- 
patch No. 114, of date November the 22d, in relation to tbe culture- of cotton, from 
the vice-consul of the United States at Merida, Mexico. 
I have the honor to be, sir, vour obedient servant, 
WM. M. EVARTS. 
The Hon. Carl Schurz. 
Secretary of the Interior. 
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