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The spring, summer, and fall wildflowers were in great 
profusion all year. Most of the roadsides this year were beautiful 
because the highway crews did not mow or use herbicides. Some 
states have found that roadsides that have uneven vegetation are 
less tiring to drivers and cause less accidents — when compared 
to mowed roadsides. 
Even the giant ragweed was lush this year, but where it 
rained at least once a week, the pollen from the plant was 
washed to the ground and did not get into the air to irritate 
the hayfever sufferer. 
With due respect to the hayfever sufferer: The ragweed 
plant has beneficial virtues. The ragweed stem harbors a moth 
larva about 3/4 of an inch long, which fishermen use when they 
ice fish. This larva is also eaten by the downy woodpecker in 
winter. The seeds are eaten by pheasants, quail, and other seed 
eating birds. The tall stalks make good cover for pheasants, deer 
foxes, and rabbits. 
All the pine and spruce trees are loaded with cones, afford- 
ing the squirrels with food, and what is left the crossbills and 
grosbeaks will thrive upon. 
All-in-all it was nature’s great summer. 
