ANSWERS TO CIRCULAR NO. 7. 
[87] 
5. First of June. 
6. in wet, low spots where the plant grows luxuriant, the plant being succulent, 
toft, and pulpy. 
7. I believe that it is a peculiar parasite of the cotton plant, and as such that the 
cryptic germ of the insect is to be found with the germ of the plant itself, and, like all 
parasites, only requires favorable circumstances to develop it ; a soft, pulpy, and lux- 
uriant state of the plant, with cool and cloudy weather at the time of its natural ad- 
vent — that is to say, from early In June to middle of July — will cause it to develop 
vigorously and bud rapidly, so as to produce seasons: whereas dry June and hot 
weather, eausing I hard, dry state of the leaves and mature condition of plants, fur- 
nishing but little and poor food, will result in a poor and feeble brood, too inactive 
to do harm. This theory is borne out by the following facts : The Cotton Worm is 
found everywhere on the globe where cotton is planted, and only found on the cotton 
plant. The worm will starve if the cotton plant fails, though other vegetation 
abounds. When the plant is pushed on so as to grow and mature rapidly, the leaves 
being hard and dry in June, as was usual before the war, we hear nothing of the 
worm: but when cultivation is bad, the plant backward, and when June, the time of 
its natural development, comes, the worm finds the cotton (as since the war) green, 
sappy, and soft ; then does it rejoice in wholesome food, increase rapidly, multiply, and 
make itself a scourge. 
I do not believe that the worm is migratory and returns to us from a warmer climate 
every year, for it can be found every year it; small numbers if sought. I cannot admit 
this View, as I have seen it MO miles from the coast at an elevation of 1,600 feet, in 
the northwestern corner of this State, in the month of June, and observed it there till 
the fields in August were totally destroyed. How could I believe that it got there by 
migration or was carried by currents of air ? Nor can 1 believe that it hibernates 
around, as under obi fences, on the south side of stumps, »Vc. : as. tirst, our winters 
are too severe to render such a supposition plausible ; and. Again, since the late war, 
no fences exist to give such shelter on the islands of our coast, where the worm most 
prevails, and the universal tires that pass every fall over woodland and cUarings 
would effectually destroy any moths or chrysalids. 
Therefore it is clear t<» my mind that it is a peculiai parasite of the cotton plant, 
and the cryptic germ of the insect is to be found with the germ of the plant itself. 
Last year I made a very full report of this matter, and am sorry to learn that it was 
made no use of, and probably consigned to the paper-mill without being read. 
S. Almost all birds, such a> the mocking-bird imt\ others, seem to be fond of the 
worm. 
Paris green is the only thing that I have seen used, except lire->tands about the 
field. The latter is useless. Tal is green is good, and the only thing I know of that 
will destroy them. 
1C. I should say near iir< --tan«!-. 
11. I don't know of any. 
18, Nothing. 
13. There has nothing been found better than the Paris green to destroy the worm. 
14. I have not. With « are there is no danger to man or beast. 
15. Good cultivation. Tush the plant early in the season. 
Id. The cost of keeping a ^ood man and paying and feeding good hoe-hand, and 
this is the best means, and the COSI is not very much. 
Jajoestown, Alachua County, Florida, 
Si pU wibi r 16, 1S79. 
In answer to your circular questions, the following is respectfully submitted:* 
3, The worm is most dreaded after mild winters, 
4. linen rain in June and July seems to favor their development J but the character 
of the rains in those months in this section are short but frequent showers, with 
bright sunshine between showers. The writer has come to the conclusion from some 
observation that continued cloudy days are unfavorable to the development of the 
worm, and these reasons are given : Continued cloudy days are unfavorable to the 
hatching of the eggs; the sunshine seems to be needed with its greater heat. In 
cloudy weather the tliesormoths w ill be on the wing throughout all hours of the day, 
thereby giving the birds and mosquito-hawks better opportunities to catch them. In 
such weather the worms stay on the top side of the leaves throughout the day, and 
consequently are more readily seen and caught by their enemies; while in hot, fair 
weather the moth is concealed during the day, and does its work in the twilight and 
at night, when the birds and other enemies are at rest. The worms, too, of the tirst 
crops seem to work or eat only in early and late parts of the day, and probably at 
night : generally from 8 or 9 o'clock a. m. till 4 or 5 o'clock p. m. they will be found 
quiet on, the under side of the leaves. It is the belief of the writer that continued 
