Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-08
A New Weed and a Bad One.

The King-Devil Weed has found its way
into the moving fields of Maine. 1t is ii
Entivc CT Europe and was first detected in
he United States in Northern New York
in 1879. Since then 1t has spread, giving a
good deal of trouble.
In 1925 a few PLANTS were found in West
Gardiner and reported to the Josselyn b.
tanical Society. Since that time it has
spread rapidly and is found in many
fields in Farmingdlle, Gardiner and West
Gardiner. Mr.. II. K. Morrell has called
.ttrition to this weed through the local
press but as the weed is spreading rapidly
and is equally as bad as its near relative.
the Orange Hawkweed, all the farmers
of the State should he on guard against it.
Prof Harvey, the station botanist.
visited Gardiner and vicinity June 90 and
20 and found the plant thoroughly estab-
was probably introduced with grass seed
from New York. During the last year it
has found its way into fields that have
no, been nlowea ior ten Stars Ih he
ground and killing all other. vegetation.
| IS rank growth and rapid spreading
show that 1t flourishes in Maine climate
The Orange Hawkweed has been in the
vicinity of Gardiner for twenty years but
during that time has not spread as much
us the King-DcVil Weed has in two years.
1t is very much like the Orange Hawk
weed in general appearance and from the
description and figure in the station re-
port for 1892 or bulletin 81. there will be
The INingDevil Weed is from eighteen
inches to three feet high. The hairy
leaves are mostly clustered at the root.
although n few leaves are borne on the
lower part of the stalk. The summit OF
the stalk bears Il cluster of yellow flow
crs. with occasionally Il second cluster
lower down on the stem. The yellow is
tlut of buttorcups, making il hard to de-
tect in a field where buttercups are num-
|Crtus AMI in bloom. IT'S yellow flowers and
larger size readily enable enc. to distin,
suish it from the Orange Hawkweei
which 1t otherwise resemble.
Like the Orange Hawkwecd its. roots
live from year to year. 1t spreads by
runners both above and under the ground.
thus extending the patches. 1t flowers
provided with hair-like appcndages by
which the wind scatters them. If cut
when in bloom or before, the plant seldi
up secondary flower shoots that matura
h6 fore fail. 1t is very difficult weed to
control and should not be allowed to seed.
or spread
Tie patches should be moved before
haying and before the flower is open so as
- prevent seeding, and again later TO
prevent second seeding. The plants
should be raked up as soon as cut ana
burned when dry. The surest way TO de-
stroy the plants is to pillow the patches
and cultivate frequently and cleanly dur
ing one or two years. either with or with,
out Il hood crop. In the case OF small
patches, siminr to some OF these ODD
served in FarmiLgGale. IL would be SUI
ficient to dig out the plants and mus
save further troirble. Whatever is done
to destroy the weed should be done at
once as the seed will be ripe by July 10
Prof. Harvey will give a fuller account
of this pest in the report of the station
fer 1894.
CHAS. D, WOODS, Director.
University of Maine. July 2, 1877