Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-07-13
ANEW WEED AND A CAD ONE.
THE KING-DEvIL WEED. HiERACiUM
PRAEALTUM, VILLAS.

The Kiug-Devil Weed has found Its
way into the moving fields Of Maine. IL
is native of Europe and was first de-
tected In the United States In Northern
New York In 1879. Since then 1t has
spread, giving a good deal OF trouble. In
1895 afew plants were found In West
Gardiner and reported to the Josselyn
Botanical Society. Since that time II has
spread rapidly and IL found In many fields
Ia Fsrmingdale, Gardiner and West
Gardiner. Mr.. II. X. Morrell has called
attention TO this weed through the local
press but as the weed is spreading
rapidly and is equally as bad as It's near
relative, the Orange Ilswkweed, all the
farmers OF the state should be on guard
against II.
Prof. Harvey, the station botanist,
visited Gardiner and vicinity June ~
and 80 and found the plant thoroughly
established In many moving fields. The
plant was probably introduced with
grass seed from New York. During the
last year II has found Its way into fields
that have not been plowed for ten years.
The plant grows in patches, mating the
ground and killing all other vegetation.
Its rank growth and rapid spreading
show that Il ilourishes In Maine climate
aud soil.
The Orange Hawkweed has been in the
vicinity OF Gardiner for twenty years but
during that time has not spread as much
as the King Devil Weed has in two years.
IL Is very much like the Orange Hawk
weed in general appearance and from
the description and figure In the station
Report for 1892 or Bulletin 32, there will
be but little trouble in recognizing this
weed. The King-Devil Weed Is from
eighteen inches 10 three feet high. The
hairy leaves are mostly clustered at the
root, although a few leaves are borne on
the lower part OF the stalk. The sum
init OF the stalk bears cluster OF yellow
flowers, with occasionally q second clus-
ter lower down on the stem. The yellow
is that of buttercups, msking IL hard to
detect in field where buttercups are
numerous and In bloom. Its yellow
flowers and larger size readily enable
one 10 distinguish IL from the Orange
Hswkweek which Ii otherwise resembles.
Like the Orange Hawkweed, It's roots
live from year TO year. IL spreads by
runners both above and under the
ground, thus extending the patches. II
flowers early and sbundsntly. The seeds
are provided with hair-like appendices
by which the wind scatters them. III cut
when In bloom or before, the plant sends
up secondary fl,wer shoots that mature
before fall. II is a very difficult weed
10 control and should not be allowed TO
seed or spread.
The patches should be moved before
having and before the flower Is open so
AS 10 prevent seeding. and again later to
prevent second seeding. The plants
should be raked up "a soon as cut and
burned when dry. The surest way to
destroy the plauts is to plow the patches
and cultivate frequently and cleanly dur
ing one or two years, either with or with
out hoed crop. In the case OF small
matches, similar 10 some OF those ohserv-
ed In Farmipgdsle, It would be sufficient
TO dig out the plants and thus save
further trouble. IThdterer is done 70 de-
stroy the reed should bo done az once as
the seed toiH De ripe by .JHiy -.
Prof. Harvey will give fuller account
OF this pest In the Report OF the station
for 1897.
CuAs ID. WOODS, Director.
University OF Maine. July 2, 1897.