The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-04-14
NEW SOUTHERN PASTURE PEST.
Threatening Field Hawk-weed Makes
Appearance in Appalachian High
lands-Methods of Control.

Washington, d. C.. April IA weed
known as Field Hawk weed which has
made its appearance in western North
Carolina and Virginia, and in West
Virginia, seriously threatens the ma
tive pastures. which are the chief
source OF livelihood OF many people in
the mountains or the southern Appa-
lachian Highlands. In this district,
grazing is the chief agricultural indus
try. Wherever the forests have been
cut away the mountain slopes have
been covered with vast natural
pastures OF strong sod forming grass
es upon which thousands Of young cat
tie are raised to supply the demand foI
feeders in the famous bluegrass re-
gions OF Virginia, Kentucky and Ten
nessee.
The Field Hawk weed, which is now
known to be in this section, belongs to
group OF plants that includes the or
ange hawk-weed or devils paint
( brush" and the king devil weed, two
OF the most destructive weeds known
I in pastures in this county. Until re-
Gently the various hawk weeds were
not known to be troublesome south OF
pennsylvania. but the field hawk weed
appears to have suddenly found very
congenial location in the southern
mountains, where it is now spreading
rapidly While confined mostly TO the
high attitudes, the weed has appeared
in some of the lower valleys. and is Ii
able to spread into the high parts of
the Shenandoah Valley and eastern
Kentucky and Tennessee. 1t will prob
ably not become troublesome in the
lower and warmer portions of these
districts.
| The weed first appears as few scat
tered individuals, but these multiply
with amazing rapidity. Almost before
the farmer is aware of its presence, the
weed is occupying several square rods
OF his grass land, and quick action will
then he required to prevent the weed
from taking complete possession OF the
field. Instances are by no means rare
where whole mountain sides that Were
once fine grazing land are now nothing
but a barren mass OF hawk weed, and
almost valueltss. Worse still. after the
hawk-weed has occupied the land for a
few years. II seems TO become sod
bound or self poisoned. and begins TO
SAlhEAi IfNA NAAs N-NlAs1tAA7 80 49, -
the ruinous action OF erosion.
Warning To Pasture Owners.
A warning is therefore, givcn to all
persons m the mountain territory TO
be on the lookout for this weed and
take energetic measures to suppress IT,.
After hawk weed once obtains a foot
hold. ii is almost impossible. or az least
impractical. to stamp It out completely,
but II can be kept within reasonable
bounds by a little watchfulness.
The weed can be recognized by its
cluster OF bright yellow flower heads,
somewhat resembling half-open flower
heads OF the dandelion. These flowers
appear early in June, borne on the
tops OF slender, almost leafless stems,
four to twelve inches high. Each stem
rises from the centre OF cluster OF
dark green, pointed. hairy leaves. and
1t is to these leaves that the plant owes
its destructive qualities. The leaves lie
fiat on the ground in a compact mat.
hugging the ground so closely that
nothing can grow between them. and
as the plants are usually crowded to-
gether in patches. n dense carpet OF
the weed is formed in which scarcely
spear OF grass remains.
The hawk-weed spreads chiefly by
means OF It's seeds but each plant also
reproduees vegttatively, though more
slowly. by means OF runners, which are
sen, out Just adj or below the surface OF
the ground. and take root and sprout
much after the fashion OF strawberry
runners In this way a patch viii grad
unlly grow larger and larger. even
though no seeds are allowed TO form.
Methods For Control.
WHOM haw weed first appears, one
should ride over the pasture and along
the fences on horseback locating every
patch. This Is easily done when the
weed IL In blnom. a sack and o hoe
ahould he carried along ana every |
patuh OF the weed carefully dug up