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VOL. 28
BOLL WEEVIL IS
MARCHING ON GEORGIA
SAYS STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
Mr. Smith Considers It Certain
That the Weevil Will Reach
Georgia Unless Means
Are Found to Stay
Its Advance.
State Entomologist R. I. Smith
has just returned from an ex¬
tended trip through the state of
Texas and Louisiana, where he
investigated the ravages made
upon cotton by the boll weevil
and the methods employed for
its extermination, sounds a note
of warning to the cotton planters
of Georgia. So certain does it
seem that this pest will reach
the fields of Georgia, unless some
unforeseen barrier presents it¬
self. that Professor Smith urges
that the legislaiure should make
some provision, should the pest
appear one hundred miles or
more ahead of its natural spread,
for destroying cotton over a lim¬
ited area, reimbursing the plant¬
er. in part at least, for the loss.
In Louisiana the experiment is
being made of exterminating the
pest with paris green, the draw¬
back being that it occasions more
injury to the cotton than does
the boll weevil.
Professor Smith’s report to
Commissioner of Agriculture
Hudson is as follows:
TEXT OF REPORT.
* k To Hon. T 0. Hudson, Chair¬
man Georgia Slaty Board of En¬
tomology : I have just returned
from a trip through Louisiana and
Texas where I have been investi
gating the cotton boll weevil sit¬
uation. and also attended a
m 'eting of the National Nursery¬
men’s Association at Dallas,Tex,
My first stop was at Baton Rouge
where I spent a profitable two
days in the office and laboratories
of the Louisiana Crop Best
mission. Professor Wilmon New
ell, formerly state entomologist
of Georgia, is secretary of the
Louisiana Crop Pest commission
and entomologist to the Louisiana
experiment stations, and in that
capacity he has been conducting
some very interesting and valua
ble experiments with the cotton
boll weevil. One of his principal
experiments is for the purpose of
determining the hibernating hab¬
its of the boll weevil. This is
done in large cages erected for
the purpose at Kealchle, La,
These cages are the largest ev¬
er erected for experiments in
entomological research, the cages
being 04 feet long, 48 feet wide
and 8 feet high, covering an area
of about one-sixteenth of an acre.
This large cage is subdivided in¬
to eighteen compartments, each
one being filled with different
materials to represent all man¬
ner of natural cover from common
cotton field condition to a dense
forest cover. In these cages last
fall were placed over 25,000 boil
weevil which were allowed to go
into hibernation. This spring an
accurate account has been kept
of all the weevils that have
emerged so that the final figures
will show exactly the number of
weevils that succeeded in sur¬
viving the winter.
t i I visited also several other
places in Louisiana where the
boll weevil lias become numerous
during the last two or three years.
I one field examined I saw places
where as high as 18 per cent, of
the cotton squares were punct¬
ured by the boll weevil. Such a
high per cent, at this early date
means that under favorable
weather conditions the boll wee¬
vil will work great injury to the
THE MURRAY NEWS. I
SPRING PLACE, MURRAY COUNTY, GEORGIA, JUNE 29, 1906.
cotton in those fields. The cot¬
ton growers are awake to the fact
that cotton must be grown under
the best cultural methods to pre¬
vent disastrous boll weevil in¬
jury.
“The Louisiana crop pest com¬
mission, under the direction of
Professor Newell, is also con¬
ducting experiments with paris
green for poisoning the boll wee¬
vil, and from the results already
obtained there seems to be some
chance that the poisoning method
will be largely successful. Tne
great drawback to the use of paris
green has been that it injures
the cotton, and even though it
kills a great number <>f boll wee¬
vils, it sometimes does so much
damage by Rilling the plants
tl at the fields not poisoned make
a better crop of cotton than the
poisoned fields.
“During my visit I learned
many ulteresting and instructive
points about the boll weevil
fight. When the boll weevil
reaches Georgia, as it certainly
will unless some unforeseen bar¬
rier presents itself, we will need
to know all that is possible to
know about this insect.
NURSERYStEX’S CONVENTION.
“Alter leaving Louisiana I vis¬
ited Dallas, Tex., and attended
the nurserymen’s convention,
which was well attended by nur¬
serymen from all parts of the
United States. At that meeting
a committee was elected to con¬
fer with a committee from the
Association of Official Horticul¬
tural inspectors, of which 1 had
the honor last fail of being elect¬
ed a member, and these two
committees hope to devise some
plan by which the states will
adopt more uniform legislation
with regard to inspection of nur¬
series and .shipment of nursery
stock over the United States. At
present there is a great differ¬
ence between the laws of various
states relative to inspection and
Ba * e of nursery stocK, and in some
cases these laws work hardships
on the deserving nurserymen.
This is especially tiue with re¬
gard to the interstate shipment
of stock.
“From Dallas Professor Newell
and myself visited Calvert, Col¬
lege station and Wellburn, Tex.
At each of these points the cot¬
ton boll weevil has been present
at least seven years. We
found that some cotton growers
have gone out of business; in
fact, actually lost their planta¬
tions since the boll w'eevil ap¬
peared, while in the same sec¬
tions other growers are continuing
to grow' cotton and make a suc¬
cess of the enterprise. This is
explained largely by the differ¬
ence in individvals, the more
shiftless being unable to cope
with the boll weevil, while the
best farmers, by adopting im¬
proved methods'of growing cot¬
ton, are continuing to make
money.
BOLE WEEVIL CAUSES CASH SYSTEM.
“One thing quite apparent is
that the farmers are nearly all
doing business 011 a cash basis,
whereas before the advent of the
boll weevil most plantations were
run on a credit system. The cash
basis certainly works to the ad¬
vantage of the farmer, as he gets
supplies now for about 25 per
cent, less than formerly. The
boll weevil has made it impossi¬
ble for cotton growers to produce
the large yields which they form
erly obtained and consequently
renters find it hard to secure ad
vances of money on the cotton
crop. The result has been the
cash system, which in the end
will be of great advantage to the
cotton growers.
“By talking with prominent
cotton growers who are success
fully lighting the boll weevil we
found that the damage done by
the weevil depends largely on
the amount of rainfall during
July and August. If an excess¬
ive amount of rain falls during
those two months, the boll wee¬
vil injury will be great, while if
July and August are both dry
months, the boll weevil will not
multiply rapidly- The true rea¬
sons for this difference would
require some explanation which
I will be glad to give to ail who
desire it.
“The present status of the boll
weevill is not encouraging to rite
cotton growers east of Louisiana,
The weevil will probably reach
the Mississippi river this season,
ami may perhabs cross into the
state of Mississippi. Hence it
behooves the farmers of the
southeastern states to learn as
much as possible about the boll
weevil and be prepared to figlP
it successfully when it arrives,
“The Georgia state board of
entomology expects to keep in
force the quarantine on cotton
products that are liable to dis
seminate the boll weevil. We
will also keep a lookout in the
cofton fields of Georgia for
first appearance of the boll wee
vil. Should it appear one him
dred miles or more ahead of its
natural spread, an effort should
be made to wipe thq infestation.
This Only can be done, howev¬
er, by giving someone the power
to destroy cotton over a limited
area. Some means should be
provided by the Georgia lesisla
tore so that cotton could lie de
stroyed if necessary and the
owners reimpursed for at least a
part of the amount of the loss,
It is to Be hoped that no si ( icfi
necessity will arise, but cotton
growers should that something of
the kind may possibly be ad vis
able.
4 4 My ... investigations ,. Loin,si- . .
111
ana and Texas have forced
more strongly than before to the
belief that the cotton boll wee
vil is an enemy that Georgia
growers should study before it
reaches this state.
Respectfully yours,
“R. J. Smith,
‘ ‘ Sta te Entomologist. 5)
Sent Nine Balls Into His Victim.
Everett, Ga., June 24.—J. M.
Stewart, section foreman of the
Seaboard, at Bladen, Ga., was
shot and instantly killed by
Oscar Knight, his apprentice,
last night, Knight shot him
twice iu the back, and when
be fell fired seven shots into
his body. The body was found
in front of Stewart’s home this
morning.
Jealously of his wife and Ste
wart is tjie cause given by
Knight, who was committed to
Brunswick jail charged with
murder by the cononer’s jury,
Knight admits that he knew
nothing of his own knowledge,
and that his suspicions were
based on hearsay only.
DIES OF WOUND HE INFLICTED
Homer Hancock Lingered Three
Weeks After Shooting Himself
Commerce, Ga. June 20.—Ho
mer Hancock, son of B. W. Han
cock, of Jefferson, died at the
home of his father last night,
About three weeks ago, while in
a despondent mood, he took a
pistol and shot himself. The
ball entered the left breast
ranging upward, arid lodged in
the region of the shoulder. The
wound was dressed, though the
ball was never removed as it
could not be located. Mr. Han
cock improved rapidly until
Saturday night, when a second
heinorrhage set in that could not
be checked. ' ‘ '
PARSERS GIVEN
WEATHER NEWS
Atlanta Forecaster is Now Supplying
Rural Telephone Systems.
Last week Forecaster Marbury.
of Atlanta, sent letters to the
managers of the rural telephone
systems in the state stating that,
he would be glad to furnish the
central or main offices of the tel¬
ephones with the forecast each
day for the benefit of their sub¬
scribers. That is, each day cen¬
tral would be given the regular
forecast as issued from the .At
lanta weather bureau ami she in
turn would call up the rural sub
seribers along the line and notify
them of the kind of weather that
was promised by the forecast,
This system of using the rural
telephones has been most suc
cessful in Pennsylvania, New
York, and other states, and now
Georgia is hurrying to the front
with the very latest and best
facilities for helping the farmer,
By means of these daily mes
sages, the farmers receive the
forecast in plenty of time to
makfi preparations for the coming
cold snap, storm, or whatever
change may be indicated. Then,
too, this system is particularly
beneficial in placing t he subscrib
ers in immediate touch with the
special bulletins that are sent
out by the weather bureau 111
case of some sudden or impor¬
tant change 111 the weather.
When very severe storms or
cold snaps are forecasted, these
ratal telephone messages will
gjve the farmers plenty of time
ta protect tlieir stock or take the
qocessary precautions in regard
f-their crops.
Marbury has received ay
swers from a number of mana
gers of these rural telephones
and all of those heard from have
pledged 0 their hearty support 01
the movement and , have , been
quick to see the benefit which
this new service means to all of
their subscribers. As a result,
Mr. Mammy is now sending the
daily forecast to many of these
rural companies, where
carries the messages to all of the
subsci ibers More telephones
are expected to be added right
along and it will probably be
only a simrl time before Georgia
will bo enjoying much the same
service in this way as some of
her eastern sister stales,
Three Negroes are Shot Dead
Dublin, Ga., June 24—Tins
afternoon at Strawberry church,
8 miles from Dublin, Sam Mitelt
i 0 11, Dan Wilburn and Dock
Wright were killed in a negro
i row and Parian Holmes was shot
^ j., Mitchei killed
U) iee was
by Joe Copeland. Wilburn was
killed by Mitchell, and Wright
.was killed by a stray bullet,
(Jopelill)(1 Cttlue t() towll gave
j l j mse i{' U p tu the officials,
■—-----—-—-----
(jQRDON PUNS FOR BIG FAIR
Many Special Features Will Attracts
the Visitors.
Calhoun, Ga., June 20.—
Among the special features of
the Gordon county fair to be
held in Calhoun October 2, 8 , 4,
5 and 0, next, will be an all-day
singing, a baby show, a five-hour
walking match and other arnus
features. Saturday, October
0 , will be reunion day of all the
confederate veterans of north
Georgia. Gordon county camp
No. 1101, United Conlederate
Veterans, will arrange a pro
gram for the day and prominent
veterans of the state will be
urged to be present. The mdi
cations are that the fair this fail
will be second only to the state
fair and the leader of all county
fairs iu the state. 1 ,
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
CONVENED WEDNESDAY
PURELY LOCAL AND PERSONAL
J. S. Keister has been chilling
for the past several days.
(’. F. Durham, of Rock Greek,
spent Tuesday in the city.
Read Dr. B. E. Hall’s card in
another column of this paper.
J. J. D. Smith, of Holly
Springs, Ga., is a new subscriber.
Attend Special Cash Sale at
McWilliams Bros.
John Slate, of Tilton, is paint¬
ing the residence of J. E. John¬
son.
Mrs. B. W. Gladden near Atnzi
has been seriously ill for several
days.
Miss Eula Edmondson,of Holly,
is spending a few days in the
city.
Fain Heartsell made a busin¬
ess trip to Dalton Tuesday after¬
noon.
Miss Addie Frazier, Of Decatur,
is visiting friends in Spring
Place.
George Jones and son, Lester,
have been having a tustle with
chills.
Special sale of Trunks and
Grips at McWilliams Bros.
]). F. Peeples and wife, of Mt.
Zion, were shopping in the city
yesterday.
R. N. Steed, of Pleasant Val¬
ley, spent Wednesday night iu
Spring Place.
Subscriptions are being taken
fur the erection < i aschool build¬
ing at Ohatsworth.
Dalton will have a grand 4th
of July celebration. Read the
• another ,, column. ,
program in
D. Parrott, of Dennis, passed
through Spring Place yesterday
on route home from Dalton.
lo yards Sea Island 49c at Me*
Williams Bros.
Mr. Scruggs is visiting his sick
daughter and attending some
business in Hayesviile, N. G.
A company of miners' froin
Knoxville, are prospecting. oil
the old Legal Tender property.
Ordinary It. M. Cadger and
wife are happy over the arrival
of a 10 -pound boy at their house.
J. II. Peeples, of Atlanta, is
spending several days with rela¬
tives in and around Spring Place.
J. L. Cole has the distinction
of being the first man who ever
packed a crate of peaches in the
county.
Mrs. M. W. Shields and sen,
Eugene, spent Saturday and
Sunday at the home of Rule
Shields in Tennessee.
K. S. Kenner left Monday for
Dalton where he went to accept
a position with J. M. Sanders in
his manufacturing plant.
The teachers of the county
are being examined today pre¬
paratory to receiving their license
to teach for another year.
J. M. Campbell, Jell Brown
and Albert Queen all report
cotton blooms this week, which
seems to be earlier than usual.
Eugene McEntire, of Mexico,
passed through Spring Place
today en route to his old home
in the lower part of the county.
McWilliams Bros., Dalton
sell
4 lbs. Epsom Salts loc.
Some sell them 10c lb.
Senator C. N. King and Rep¬
resentative T. P. Ramsey left
Tuesday for Atlanta, where they
went to represent Murray coun
^ un( ^ ^he senatorial district
in the general assembly.
NO. 29
HAD SPLENDID ATTENDANCE
Thirty=Eight Bills In the Mouse
and Eight in the
Senate
The general # assemblv met
Wednesday in annual session,
the house and the senate being
called to order at 10 o’clock in
the morning by Speaker Slaton
and President West, respect¬
ively.
The call of the roll by Clerk
John T. Boifeuillett, of the
house, immediately following
prayer by the chaplain, Rev. Mr.
Timmons, disclosed but few ab¬
sentees. The house early evinced
its determination to get down to
steady business, the motion of
Hon. Joe Hill Hall, of Bibb, that
the house meet at f) o’clock in
the morning instead of at 10
oclock, meeting with but few
dissenting voices.
The governor’s message was
received and read in both hous- •
es, commanding the close atten¬
tion of the members.
17pon the call for the introduc¬
tion of new matter, thirty-eight
new bills were introduced, ad¬
ding to the large amount of un¬
finished business of last year’s
session.
There were no committee meet¬
ings held yesterday afternoon,
the bouse adjurning immediate¬
ly after the reading of the gov¬
ernor’s message, at 11:50 o’clock.
Following the roll call iu the
house a joint -resolution was
adopted, upon motion of Mr.
Anderson, of Chatham, that a
joint committee of five from the
house and three from the senate
beappointed to wait upon the
governor to notify him that the
general assembly was convened
iu annual session. Speaker Sla¬
ton appoint, on the part of the
house, Anderson, of Chatham;
Felder, of Bibb; Rose, of Upson ;
Nowell, of Walton, and Perry,
of Ilall.
Ohatsworth is to be incorporat¬
ed. Notice of the bill to be in¬
troduced into the legislature will
be seen in another place in this
issue.
The “Fuiinygraph” has hit the
town iu all its glory. If yon
don’t believe it come in and you
will be convinced in a very short
while.
Mrs. F. T. Johnson and little
granddaughter, Dimple Johnson,
have returned from an extended
visit in Walker county and Chat¬
tanooga.
YVaiie Shields left Wednesday
for Sevierville, Tenn,, where he
went to accept a position as ad
and makeup man on a newspaper
in that city.
WANTED—A 11 agent in each
couuty in Georgia to write Live
Stock Insurance for Savannah,
Ga., Company. Address P. O.
Box 08, Swainsboro, Ga.
Mrs. J. A. Rountree, of Bruns¬
wick, after having spent a week
with friends here left Monday
for Piainville where she will
visit her sisters, Mrs. Barton.
McWilliams Bros., Dalton
sell
2 Boxes Brutons loc Snuff 15c
W. J. Peeples, of HasslerMill,
and L. F. Peeples, of Spring
Place, left Monday to accept po¬
sitions as door keepers of the
lower house and senate respect¬
ively.
McWilliams Bros., Dalton
sell
8 Bails Thread white or black 5c