REPORTS OF CONSULS AND CONSULAR AGENTS. 
[65] 
3. The caterpillars generally appear in spring time, that is to say, in February and 
March, and at times in such quantites that they succeed in destroying whole plan- 
tations of cotton. If, however, the rainy treasons continue a short time beyond their 
usual period, they are almost all destroyed by the raius. 
4. These caterpillars have been known ever since the first time that cotton was raised 
here, and so far as I can gather from information received, are indigenous to the country 
and in no way imported from elsewhere. 
o. Cotton has been cultivated lure for the first time some fifteen years ago. Up to 
that time it was known to grow wild all over the country, producing a very good 
quality of cotton and now since the cultivation has been totally abandoned, it con- 
tinues to gTO\v wild without the least care, without auy deterioration in quality, as 
may be seen from the sample sent. What little cotton is gathered now from the 
plants gj owing wild letches a price of $3.20 per 100 pounds uncieaned. aud as it takes 
about o.>0 pounds of crude cotton to produce 100 pounds of cleau cotton, the price in 
addition to the cost of cleaning would amount to such a height as to put the possi- 
bility of exporting it entirely out of the question. 
6. The elevation of the lands on w hich cotton has been grown here above the level 
of the sea is from 50 to 100 feet, and the winds that prevail m that part of the country 
are north-northeast and south-southeast. 
7. In compliance with your request I send a bottle with specimens of the caterpil- 
lars in question, as well as a bag with samples of crude cotton, gathered in the vicin- 
ity of this town, where the plants grow wild, as referred to in the above report. 83 
The samples of cotton and the caterpillars will bo forwarded by the first sailing 
vessel, the Alcira, for New York, which will leave in about ten days, to save expenses. 
Hoping that this report may be of some benefit, I have the honor to remain, 
Your most obedient servant, 
E. EL PLUMACHER, 
Commercial Agent. 
Hon. William Hi nter, 
Second Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. 
No. :*47.] • . U. S. Consulate, 
Vera Cruz, March 3, 1880. 
Sir: On the receipt of yours of October concerning cotton culture, and the 
enemies of the cotton plain, statistical data on which for this district was asked to 
bo given to the Entomological Commission, I immediately translated the seven ques- 
tions into Spanish, with I circular letter, and sent them to various prominent persons 
who were recommended to me as men well informed on the subject, under inquiry, 
asking them to give me the data required at as early a date as possible. Some 
answered promptly, saving, however, that it was too soon to procure specimens of 
the worms, but giving no other response. Yesterday I received a bottle with many 
specimens in diluted alcohol. This hott le I transmit for the use of the Commission, 
and send also a translation of a letter from Sen. R. do Zayafl Enrique/., explanatory 
of the contents Of the bottle. ('•••) These are the only specimens I have been able to 
obtain, although I have personally made some excursions into cotton districts for 
them, and other points of inquiry indicated by the Commission. 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
1. "To what extent is cotton grown, and what are the peculiarities of culture!" 
Answer. In this consular district about 8,000,000 pounds are produced. The pecul- 
iarities of culture are striking. The ground is prepared by removing rubbish, and 
(ben the seed is planted by inserting I sharp stick in the ground at convenient in- 
tervals; into the holes thus made the seed is deposited and covered by the foot. No 
plOWl are used in this preparation for the seed, nor are they often used in the subse- 
quent stages of cultivation. They pull out the larger weeds or use the hoe, confining 
their labor to but little more than such. It is clear from that kind of culture that 
the cotton plant must be forced into much bad company, and be assaulted with de- 
structive enemies. Alter extensive inquiries 1 find no one scientifically informed on 
the full habits of these enemies. 
2. " "What are the worst insect enemies!" 
Answer. The Cotton Worm, grasshopper, and ant. The ground mole in some local- 
ities is very destructive. 
:i. " Does the Cotton Worm (described) attack it ? and, if so, give its habits, espec- 
ially during the winter months. 
Answer. Yes. See inclosed translation of a letter from Judge R. de Zayas Euriquez, 
rvJho has given me the best information he Gpuld gather; but the Honorable (■ommis- 
63 CONG — AP 5 
