The Management of Grass Hay Fever

Abstract

In the greater part of the United States three distinct hay fever seasons are recognized, which correspond to the pollination periods of three plant groups, trees, grasses, and weeds. In the northern states the grass (early summer) hay fever season extends from the last of May until the latter part or the end of July; in the beginning it parallels the late stages of the tree hay fever season.

The grasses are the most widely distributed of the three groups of plants producing hay fever. As a rule they produce a less severe form of hay fever than the weeds, but are decidedly more important than the trees. Unlike the weeds, however, the grasses are important commercially and include the pasture grasses and cereal grains. In the northern states timothy and June grass, two important pasture grasses, are of primary importance in the production of grass hay fever, whereas, in the southern states Bermuda grass is the chief agent. In the northern states the grass hay fever season corresponds to the combined pollination periods of June grass and timothy. Orchard grass and red top are of secondary importance. The cereal grasses are of minor significance except in extensively cultivated areas where rye grass may be of some importance.

Although the term “rose fever” is commonly used by the laity to describe grass hay fever, garden flowers seldom produce symptoms. Flowers are insect pollinated, the pollen is heavy and sticky, and is not sufficiently abundant to be a significant cause of. . .