University of South Carolina Libraries
VOL. XL. N. 91. NEWBERRY. S. 0.. TTESDAY. MAY 31. 1904 .TWICE A WEEK. $1.50 AYEAR AN EFFECTIVE ENEMY OF THE BOLL WEEVIL ANT IN GUATEMALA THAT WILL KILL THE PEST. It Will Be Immediately Introduced Into The Cotton States of This Country. The department of agriculture at Washington has announced that an ant has been found in Guatemala that is-an effective enemy of the boll weevil. It will be immediately intro duced into the cotton states. The greatest significance is attached to the discovery, which was made by 0. F. Cook, the botanist in charge of tropical agricultural investigations of the bureau of plant industry. Cabled instructions have been sent to him to report immediately to the department what assistance he needs in the way of men and money. During a trip in Central America last year Mr. Cook dicovered a cotton, grown by Indians, which gave evi dence of being immune from the at tacks of the boll weevil, and on orders from the department he later began an investigation in certain points in Guatemala and Mexico. Mr. Cook's investigations have been in more or less accessible regions in the province of Alta Vera Paz. Guatemala. The weevils are present there, but the in vestigations show that they are un questionably kept in. check by the presence of an active enemy in the shape of a large reddish brown ant, which is attracted to the cotton by the food which its secures from sets of foral nectaries. Mr. Cook's investigations show that these ants spread themselves over fields of cotton four or five to a plant, and that they are constantly engaged in the destruction of the boll weevil. Mr. Cok reports that the adroit and business-like way in which the weevil is disposed of seems to prove beyond question that the ant is, by structure and by instinct, especially equipped for the work of destructibn. and is, in short, the true explanation of the fact that cotton is successfully cultivated by the Indians of Alta Vera Paz, in spite oi the presence of the boll weevil. Special Bulletin. After a conference with Dr. B. T. Galloway, chief of the buneau of plant industry. Dr. L. 0. Howard, chief of the entomological division. and other experts. Secretary Wilson, of the de partment of agriculture had a special bulletin printed. Among other things this bulletin says: "The ants, like the Indians. prob ably came from the dry open interior plateau region. where the centre of the aboriginal cotton industry of Guatemala is. still located.. To es tablish the fact of such an origin for this useful insect would greatly in crease the probability of its success ful introduction into the United States. The acclimatization of a thoroughly tropical animal, requiring continuous heat and humidity, could scarcely be hoped for. If, however, the cotton ant can survive a long, dry season, and perhaps - cold weather, in the ta ble lands of Guatemala. it might easily learn to hibernate in Texas, as has the boll weevil. The ant is much bet ter able to protect itself against frost, since it excavates a nest three feet or more uinto the ground. Several have survived conFaement for twelve days without food, and seem nowv to be thriving on a diet of cane juice. To take wo,rker ants to Texas will be. evidently, a very easy matter, but to secure queens and establish colonies may require considerable time and ex periment and a thorough study of all the habits of the species. Also Eats Centipedes. "Although the cotton seems to be especially adapted to attract the ant by means of its numerous nectaries. the int is not. like some of the members of its class, confined to a siingle plant or a single kind of prey. It attacks and destroys insects of every order. including the hemiptera. and even centipedes. On the other hand, it does not do the least injury to the cotton. or to any other plant, so far as has been ascerained. and it can be handled with impunity having none of the waspish ill temper of so many of the stinging and biting ants of the tropics. Since where once es tablished it exists in large numbers and seeks its prey actively it is a much more efficient destroyer of nox ious insects than the spider or the toad. It seems, in short, not unlikely to become a valued assistant -in the agriculture of tropical and sub-tropi cal countries, if not in temperate re gions. The farmer has a new and practical reason tn consider the aht." THE PRESS ASSOCIATION. Party Returned From St. Louis Sun day Night-A Pleasant Trip. The private car Haslemere bearing the members of the South Carolina Press association, who have returned from the St. Louis exposition. passed Newberry at i1:40 Sunday night on its way to Columbia, where the party will disband. President and Mrs. E. H. Aull left the party at Newberry The members all reported a pleas ant time and were loud in their praise of the exposition, saying that it was the biggest thing in the expo sition line ever yet attempted. They appreciated very much the many courtesies and attentions shown them by the exposition people and by the railroads and stated that there -had been not a single incident to mar the pleasure of the trip. The party numbered about thirty fnye, including several ladies. The whole trip consumed about ten days. Col. James Dunbar, of Newberriy. was along in charge of the dining apart ment and he and his little dar-iter, Miss Josephine, who also accom panied the party, left the car at New berry. The car Haslemere was draped in deep black as a token of respect to the memory of the late Col. James A. Hoyt, who was one of the charter members of the association and the first president in 1875. The associa tion remained in Greenville yesterday to attend his funeral, and one of the most beautiful floral tributes laid on his casket was from his fellow-editors. Col. Hoyt was a faithful and honored member of the association and; al ways attended the annual ineetings when it was possible for him to do so. He long adorned the profession of journalism in South Carolina. - Good Interest. "My son," said a banker to his son, "I want to give you a lesson in busi ness. Here is a half dollar. Now, if you can find any boy whom you can trust, who will take this'money and pay you interest on it, you may lend it to him and if you invest this wisely, I'll increase your capital." When night came, the banker said, "My son, how did you invest your money today?" "Well, fath'er," replied the little fellow. "I saw a boy on the street without any shoes, and he had no dinner; so I gave him my fifty cents to buy something to eat with." "You'll never make a business man in the world," said the banker; "business is business; but i will try you once more. Now, here is a dol lar to invest: see how well you can do it." The boy laughed aloud, and then explained: "My Sunday School teacher said giving to the poor was lending to the Lord:and she said He would return to us double; but I did not think he would do it so quick." \Many a man turns up his toes while ..ain,o hi foirtunes to turn up PROSPERITY COMMENCEMENT lExercises Began Last Night And Will Continue Through Wednesday Night. The commencement exercises of the Prosperity graded school began last night and will continue through Wednesday night. The school has had one of the most successful ses sions in its history during the past year, and with a new school building in view there are bright prospects ahead of the institution. The exercises last night were by the primary and intermediate grades. consisting of a juvenile entertain ment, "The Jolly Picnic Party." Misses Frances Rawl and Della Bow ers have had charge of the primary department. and the exercises of last night reflected much credit upon those who took part and the training which they have received. The presonnel of the cantata was as follows: Grandma-Miss Frances Rawl. Dot-Miss Mary Wheeler. Tot-Miss Mary Lizzie Wise. Hazel-Miss Minnie Boyd Brown. Zenia-Miss Julia Schumpert. Josie-Miss Tena Wise. Mabel-Miss Bessie Mathis. Florrie-Miss Vera Fellers. Mamie-Miss Maud Livingston. Annie-Miss Annie Lee Langford. Coachman-Carl Fellers. George-Clyde Shealy. Ned-Robert Counts. Sam-Harold Boozer. Joe-Pat Mitchell. Fred-Wise Calmes. Daisy--illian Hair. Violet-Marie Schumpert. Ros-Dottie Merchant. Myrtle-Rebie Langford. Pansy-James Russell. Brownies-j. B. Duncan. J. E. Schumpert, Ernest Counts. Ray Gall man, Guy Maffet. The program is as follows: Introductipn, instrumental-Mrs. J. F. -Browne. "Away. Away," chorus-Picnic Party. "Expectations." solo-Miss Mary Wheeler. "In Woodland Glen," duet-Misses Minnie B. Brown and Julia Schum pert. "Tot's Conclusion." solo-Miss Mary Lizzie Wise. "Ring, Merry Bells," chorus and duet-Picnic Party. "What the Robin Said." solo-Miss Maud Livingston. "Now to the Wood," solo and chorus-Picnic Party. "Jolly Boys," chorus-The boys. "Play and Sing," soli-Picnic Par ty. "Lullaby." solo and invisible chorus -Miss Rawl and chorus. "The Brownies," soli-Brownies. "Sing On, Sweet Birds," solo Miss Annie Langford. "On the Way From School," chorus-School children. "A Jolly Time," chorus-Picnic Party. "Pretty Wild Flowers," invisible soli-School children. "The Double Greetings," duet-Pic nic and School children. "A Merry Party," duet-J. E Schumpert and Miss Annie Langford. "Good Night," chorus-Ensemble. Tonight's Exprcises. The exercises tonight will be by the Cinean Literary society, and the annual address will be delivered by the Hon. Thos. S. Sease. of Spartan burg. Tomorrow night the exercises will be by the music class of Mrs. J. F. Browne. The full program has al ready been published. IThe exercises of both nights will be fully reported. Wiggs-Upson is rather egotistical, yet he has a powerful brain. Diggs-Yes. he must have to stand all the thinking he does about him $5,ooo,ooo FIRE. New York's Water Front Visited By A Destructive Blaze. New York. May 3o.-The river front at Hoboken today presents a smoking mass of ruins for a stretch iof twelve blocks. Smouldering piles of piers and barges offer mute testi mony to the flames that yesterday de stroyed $5.ooo.ooo worth of property on the river fronts. Thousands of bales of cotton are still burning. The firemen say it will be a couple of days before the flames are fully subdued. but that there is no 4anger of the spreading of the fire. The fire started in the cabin of a barge along the Deleware. Lacawan na and Western railroad pier and spread to the pier, and before it was extinguished destroyed nearly a hun dred barges. lighters. schooners. and smaller craft and burned fifty freight cars on four piers. which were de stroyed. COLONEL DICK PLUNKETT. A Brave Man Who Used No Deadly Weapons. Colonel -Dick" Plunkett. who as marshall of Creede, Col.. in the "bad Idays" of that turbulent mining camp, became famous for his contempt for deadly weapons and his refusal to carry firearms was in Philadelphia for a few hours yesterday. He had been in Washington with General Dan Sickles, of New York. to see Presi dent Roosevelt. Colonel Plunkett is a great leveler of distinctions. He has been the friend and, in a measure, the body Iguard of governors, judges, congress men and other notables,.but as mar shal of Crede, and later head of a police force guarding the Osage In dian reservation. he has known power and responsibility. His stay in Wash ington included a call upon Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock. for whom the colonel professed the highest es teem. "The interior departemnt admits of more graft than any other branch of the national service," said Colonel Plunkett. "The lands of the Indians in the southwest, rich with ore and oil and capable of feeding millions of heads of cattle could be practically given away by a dishonest official. Mr. Hitchcock insists that all bids for leases be brought to Washington and awarded to the highest bidder." Plunkett's career is typically west ern. Arriving in Creede with the "get-rich quick" fever, he found him self in the midst of a community made up of those who came to win their fortunes by work and many who were there to rob. Law and order were administered by the residents themselves. The power of government and the decisions of the Territorial courts were little heeded. The posi tion of marshal was not much sought after. ' When Plunkett was given the job he was regarded with humorous in dulgence . He had never carried fire arms, and was known as a peace maker. His first arrest cost him an ugly wound in his check, but he cap tured the outlaw. His taking of "Bob" Ford, the slay er of Jesse James, was his most talked of exploit. Ford had gone on a ram page. and threatened to "shoot up" the town if molested. The colonel awaited his coming and never moved while the drunken desperado rode at him brandishing a pistol. Ford, over come by the sight of the defenceless marshal. changed his mode of attack and tried to r!'n down the colonel After much difficulty. the colonel, with his horse. Horse and rider were thrown by the stalwart , officer, and Ford was tied hand and foot. at Gree's hotel last night. was pre vai!ed upon to discuss his life as mar hai. HeI said he never carried a re volver because mei~ who resort to one are usually cowards or drunk. --Ii drunk.- it is mutrder to kill them.'' said Colonel Plunkett, "tand if sober they are cowards and can be taken easily. An unarmed man in those days was always safe. even a marshal. I never was the cause of a woman becoming a widow or a child an or phan, and as for justice it was swift and sure enough in those days. There was very little work for the lawyers," he added with a grim smile. The colonel takes more pride in his career among the Osage Indians in Oklahoma. than in his life in the min ing camps. He was chief of police on the Osage reservation, but his energies were directed against the white men in the district. Illicit deal ers, gamblers and other riff-raff hung around the reservation, waiting for the Indians to draw their monthly pension from the government. Their right to be in Oklahoma was hard to dispute. but Colonel Plunkett used to the utmost the law forbidding alco holic beverages on the reservation. Few could be found that were not liable for arrest upon such a charge, and the colonel exercised a whole some authority. He won the respect and confidence of the Osages, and whenever the head men of the tribe go to Washington to appeal against visious legislation or maladministra tion of their affairs, Colonel Plunkett, if in the country.'goes there too. His direct testimony is of direct value to them and the congressional commit tees. - Colonel Plunkett was in Alaska last year to examine some mining proper ties held by New York capitalists. He says that southeastern Alaska, with its fine climate and good soil, is at tracting many householders from the Dominion of Canada. He regrets that more American families do not settle there. Colonel Plunkett will endeavor to interest some railroad men to con struct a road to the interior. While in Washington the colonel was the guest of former Senator Thurston, of Nebraska. The senator resented the incredulity of a friend, who intimated that Colonel Plunkett's 269 pounds made some of the deeds for which he is noted impossible. Senator Thurston was vindicated when the colonel turned a succession of handsprings with- the agility of a youth. Sounded Just Alike. A rather dignified young wonian entered a florist's shop oon Maison avenue, says the New York Press. A shrill voice, resembling that of an old woman, greeted her with: "Shut the door! Don't you know it's cold?" Much embarrassed, she looked about for the speaker saying: "Ex cuse me, but the wind blew so hard I could hardly close the door." Then, to her great astonishment, she found that she had been con versing with a parrot. Angered at the bird for deceiving her so, she turned her back upon the cage and, was intent upon examining some flowers. Suddenly the same voice, or what seemed to be, said to her: "What can I do for you, miss?" "If ytou hold your tongue I shall be very grateful to you," re plied the young woman turning around as she spoke, and discovering the florist's wife. Grim War Humor. "W~ar has its humorous side," said General Nelson A. Miles, "though the humor is always grim. "In one of the most perilous In dian campaigns I ovei-heard a group of privates saying goodnight to one another on the eve of an engagement. These youths were in different regi ments. They knew the coming fight would be a hot one. They knew it was probable enough that they never would see one another again. "And so. as they separated, one of them said: 'Well. good-bye boys. As the cons said when the dogs made after them. -We'll all meet at the hat