366 READINGS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE 



pollen will go right ahead and ripen on the severed plant. All cut plants 

 should be burned. Stubble lands should be plowed shallow before the 

 weed forms flowers. If a field is seeded to grass, the autumn growth of rag- 

 weed should be cut over with a high-set mowing machine before plants 

 bloom. 



Short ragweed may mature and shed pollen at the height of an inch and 

 a half. Do not judge the enemy by the size of the general. Roots are shallow 

 and live only one season, in any case. Spread is through seeds, and they are 

 almost everywhere. As soon as a bit of land is robbed of its forest trees or 

 native grasses, ragweed springs up. Ragweed followed the plow that broke 

 the plains. 



Why not get rid of it? It can be cut, pulled, burned and the whole 

 nuisance disposed of within a few short years. Ragweed is one of the most 

 conveniently accessible pests in the world. You do not have to invade a for- 

 est, dive under water, or look through a microscope to find it. You just take 

 the walk around the block. It will not hit back at you if you catch it young. 

 The root system is shallow so the whole plant will come up readily to your 

 hand. It exudes no nasty smelling protective juices or oils to stain your 

 clothing; it does not bite or sting or blister. 



Can you live with your allergy? If it is caused by ragweed, why should 

 you? 



■> > > <<< • 



