s e v e n i s a j o u r n e y

Yesterday I heard a story about weeds that makes you realize just how amusingly weird the world can be. Ragwort is this nasty weed that is toxic to stock and it is endemic around the country. We have lots. Four different bio-control agents have been introduced in the last 20 years, and two of these (the cinnibar moth and the yellow flea-bettle) are proving quite successful. Apparently in years past before these bio-controls a herbicide was developed specifically for ragwort. Unfortunately these chemicals would soak into the trouser legs of the farmers out spraying. There they would undergo a chemical reaction with the natural fibers in the trousers… changing them. When you then washed your trousers and hung them on the line to dry they would heat up- and explode! Apparently one farmer had the misfortune of having his pants explode while he was wearing them! I would love to see that particular insurance claim. :)

I also discovered that the act of simply pulling the weed can be dangerous. A group of people in Australia who spent three days pulling ragwort all day ended up in hospital after absorbing sufficient toxin through the skin of their hands. I pulled lots by hand myself back in January, I guess I am lucky that it was only for a short time (1-2 hours) each day, and often with gloves. Something to beware of in the future. Pretty yellow flowers, nasty weed. Much like gorse!

For the last 48 hours, I have been stuck on a song the chief raison d’etre of which appears to be to see how many words may be rhymed with “herring”.

At least it’s a nice song.