REPORTS OF CONSULS AND CONSULAR AGENTS. 
[63] 
in which information touching the production of cotton, and the attack of the Cot- 
ton Worm and other insects upon the plant, in Central and South America, is requested 
for the use of the Commission ; and desiring a report on the suhject to be sent to the 
State Department for transmission to the Commission. 
I beg to inclose herewith such information as I have been able to secure, and sug- 
gesting that the consul at Acapulco may be able to give more particular and valuable 
information, from the fact that a large amount of the cotton used in the cotton mills 
of this State comes from his consular district. 
1. Cotton is not grown to any considerable extent in this consular district on 
account of the uncertainty of the crop, as much through rains as through the attacks 
of insects. The production is not sufficient for the three cotton-mills in operation in 
this State. 
Cotton is planted in August and September, about 4 feet apart, receives but little 
attention; is gathered during the months from December to May, giving about 40 
arrohas (25 pounds) to the acre, and selling at $1.25 to $1.50 the arroba of seed-cotton. 
Labor costs from "><> to 75 cents per diem. 
2. The Cotton Worm, or as known here by the name of the Army Worm, the Bud 
Worm, and the Boll Worm, are the worst insect enemies. 
3. The regular Cotton or Army Worm attacks the cotton plant every year, but 
about once in four years is very destructive. It appears to be deposited by a tly on 
the under side of the leaf, which rolls up and in a few days the worm of about *J inches 
appears. During the winter months it disappears. 
4 and 5. Cotton was first introduced into this State in l*t'»3 by an American, Mr. 
Francis Nolan ; was produced from seed brought from the State of Guerrero. It does 
not grow wild in this State. The first years but little trouble was experienced from 
the Cotton Worm, but each year they have given moro trouble, especially if cotton 
is planted again on the same ground. 
ti. The prevailing jdireet ion of the wind during the months from March to July is 
from the east in the morning, and from the southwest in the afternoon. 
7. 1 have requested specimens of the above-mentioned insects, and will forward to 
the Department of Mate as soon :is received.* 
I have the honor to be, sir. vour obedient servant, 
E. G. K ELTON, 
United States Consul. 
Hon. William Hunter, 
Second Asxi*t<int Arm tnrij of Stat> , Jl'axhinrjton , 7>. C. 
No. 193.] UirrnD Statu Consulate, 
Iluhui, January l'J, 1 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt at this consulate, on the 'J'Jt h of 
December ultimo, of dispatch from the Department of State dated October 13, IS70, 
inclosing a copy of a letter from the Chief of the Entomological Commission to t ho 
Hon. Secretary of the Interior, requesting information in regard to the produc- 
tion of cotton in this consular district, and the attack of t he Cot ton Worm and ot her 
insects upon the plant ; and in reply have most respectfully to report upon the par- 
ticular points stated upon which information is requested, as follows: 
1. Cotton is not grown at present to any considerable extent in this province, and 
has ceased to be an article of exportation. The cultivation is simple in tin; extreme, 
requiring little care or attention, but owing to the distance from this port of the cot- 
ton-producing districts the cultivation has long since ceased to be remunerative. 
2. The insect enemiesof the cotton plant w hich particularly attack it consist of 
two species of moths, which, in the form of worms or caterpillars, prey upon its leaves 
and stalk, as also t he cotton pod itself. It is also attacked by a peculiar species of 
bug, specimen of which is forwarded, and by the grasshoppers, which commit great 
ravages upon the foliage and the tender stalk. ' 
3. The Cotton Worm, as described by Professor Riley, is somewhat different from 
the worm in this province, differing in color and other respects, but it no doubt is in 
reality of similar character. 
The Cotton Worms of this Province are produced by moths laying their eggs in the 
leaves and young buds of the cotton plant, which become worms and caterpillars and 
feed upon the cotton until transformed again into moths. The ravage committed by 
them is greater in the dry or summer months, say September, October, November, 
and December. 
4. The so-called Cotton Worm is believed to have been always in the country and 
not imported. 
* The specimens were Aletia. — C. V. R. 
