186
TIIE
JOURNAL
OF
ALIZRGY
The aut,hor concludes that Bermuda may safely be rccommendcd a sanctuary for sufferers from all ordinary forms of hay fever.
Ragweed
and Its Distribution.
partment
of Health
Health 12: 157, 1935.
News, New York
as
State De-
A survey by the New York State Department of. Health was undertaken during the early fall to guide hay fever &ffcrers in selecting those parts OSthe state relatively free of ragweed. Pollen counts, by means of the microscopic examination of exposed slides for polh granules, wc~~e not at,tcmpted, the identification of the growing plants alone constituting the basis of the report. The eastern ends of Long Island and Fire Island are relatively free from ragweed, and in the following localities either no ragweed was found or the quantities were so small that it could be easily eradicated: Otter Lake, on Route 28; Big Moose, Old Forge, the Fulton Chain Section, including Limekiln Lake, Rayucttc Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Indian Lake and Sabael; Speculator, Saranac Inn, Cranberry Lake, Sevey, Piercefield and Paul Smiths. In general the areas between these places a.re relatively free from ragweed, a result of local efforts. It is agreed that by certain systematic and persistent local efforts it is entirely practical to convert a large part of this section into a haven for those suffering.from hay fever or asthma if ragweed pollen is the only or the principal cause. The report does not take into consideration the widespread dissemination of pollen from distant points.
Pollinosis
in the Southwest.
Sellers, Erie D. : Southern
R4. J. 28:
710, 1935. Bermuda grass (Cupriolo dactylon) is the most important offender among the grasses, Johnson grass (Holcus halepensis) and June grass (Po’a pratensis) being of secondary importance. Timothy grass (Phleunz prutense) grows only sparsely, if at all, in the entire territory. Along the ea.stern Texas coastal plain and in the irrigated citrous belts of Texas and Arizona, the grass season is perennial. The ambrosias are the most important weeds in the eastern portion of the area considered. These include giant, dwarf, southern, and western ragweed. The marsh elders and cockleburs are of minor importance. The artemisias (common sagebrush, prairie sage, biennial wormwood, and mugwort) are less important. The chenopodiales are dominant in the more arid Western districts, of chief importance in this group being shad scale (Atriplex canescens) and Russian thistle (&1ls01n pestifer). The amaranths are of major importance throughout a large part of the territory, part&larly careless weed (Arnaranthus palmed), and western water hemp (Acnida tnmm-iscinn). The plantain family is of only secondary or minor importance.