l86 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



Mr. Morrell states that some fields in the vicinity of Farming- 

 dale are full of this weed. The farmers of that vicinity should 

 be warned of its dangerous character and an effort should be 

 made to eradicate the plant if possible before it becomes more 

 widely distributed. This weed proved very troublesome in 

 northern Xew York where it is regarded as even worse than 

 the orange hawkweed. ( Hieracium aurantiacutri)." 



Although we were aware that this pest had been reported 

 from Gardiner, it was thought advisable to visit the region and 

 learn from personal observation the distribution and habits of 

 the plant. 



On June 2j, 1897. in company with Mr. Morrell, we exam- 

 ined a part of the infested district and found the pest surpris- 

 ingly abundant, growing in large patches and as scattering 

 plants in many fields. We informed all the farmers we met of 

 the pernicious nature of the weed and the importance of 

 destroying it. We were surprised at the apathy of farmers 

 regarding the introduction and spread of this bad weed. There 

 are always individuals who are alive to the importance of keep- 

 ing fields clean and who make desperate efforts to do so, but 

 are hampered and discouraged by their indolent neighbors, 

 whose farms are centres for the growth and distribution of all 

 the bad weeds in the region. So far as we know, no concerted 

 action has been taken to eradicate this pest. We see more and 

 more the necessity of State action in such cases. Unless some 

 definite action is soon taken, we may expect that this weed will 

 overrun the State like its detestable relative, the Orange Hawk- 

 weed. 



Below we give a record of the known Xorth American local- 

 ities of the King-Devil Weed. 



RECORD. 



Carthage, Jefferson county-, Xew York. L. F. Ward, 1879. 

 Evans' Mills, Jefferson county-, New York. L. F. Ward, 1879. 

 Pierpont Manor, Jefferson count}-, Xew York, C. H. Peck, 



1893- 



Jayville, St. Lawrence count}-, X'ew \ ork, C. H. Peck, 1893. 



Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence count}-, Xew York, J. E. DuBois, 

 1894. 



