Is that Low Time Engine Really a Bargain? www.airplanenoise.com/answers_to_why.htm

6. You want a "no risk" purchase that comes with a manufacturer backed airplane.

"As is Where is". . . Pretty scary words when you purchase a used aircraft! Why risk it? When you fly off field with a manufacturer backed airplane, you know you're covered. www.cessna.textron.com

7. You want lower interest rates and lower payments of a new aircraft.

Perhaps up to 3% points! This can mean huge savings in your monthly payment and in your overall amount paid for your aircraft. Run numbers to see how much you'll save in interest dollars! www.cfcloan.com

8. You want better depreciation schedules that apply only to new aircraft.

50% bonus depreciation applies to new equipment only. Uncle Sam has bumped up depreciation schedule on new equipment in hopes to revitalize economy. To see how much you can save by purchasing new, visit: www.advocatetax.com

9. You'd rather not "wheel and deal" with hope that you cut a fair deal. You know what a new aircraft is worth!

No need to worry about whether or not you were taken advantage of. With a new aircraft, you know what you're getting, and you know price!

10. You just feel great showing off your new aircraft that's perfect in every way!

. . . And who wouldn't?

Link: http://www.airplanenoise.com/answers_to_why.htm

Shredded bark, left in a pile will eventually breakdown and become great compost. The potting soil that I use is about 80% rotted bark. I make potting soil by purchasing fine textured, and dark hardwood bark mulch, and I just put it in a pile and let it rot. The secret is to keep pile low and flat, so that it does not shed rain water away, you want mulch to stay as wet as possible, this will cause it to breakdown fairly quick.

So I keep a pile of rotted bark mulch near my compost bins. When both bins are completely full, I empty bin containing oldest material by piling it on top of my rotted bark mulch. I make sure pile of rotted mulch is wide and flat on top so that when I put material from compost bin on top of pile, compost material is only 5 to 10 inches thick. My mulch pile might be 12’ wide, but it may only be 24 to 30 inches high. Once I have all compost on top of pile, then I go around edge of pile with a shovel, and take some of material from edges of pile and toss it up on top of pile, covering compost with at least 6” of rotted bark. This will cause compost material to decompose rest of way.

Once you get this system started, you never want to use all of material in pile. Always keep at least 2 to 3 cubic yards on hand so you’ve got something to mix with your compost. If you use a lot of compost material like I do, then you should buy more material and add to your pile in late summer or fall, once you are done using it for season. Around here many of supply companies sell a compost material that is already broken down quite well. This is what I buy to add to my stock pile. But I try to make sure that I have at least 3 yards of old material on hand, then I’ll add another 3 yards of fresh material to that. Then in spring I’ll empty one of compost bins and add compost to top of pile.

The pile of usable compost will be layers of material, some more composted than others. Kind of like a sandwich. So what I do is chip off a section of pile from edge, spread it out on ground so it’s only about 8” deep, then run over it with my small rototiller. This mixes it together perfectly, and I shovel it onto potting bench.

Having a pile of rotted compost near your compost bins is great because if you have a lot of leaves or grass clippings, you can throw some rotted compost in bin in order to maintain that layered effect that is necessary in order for composting process to work well.

Sure this process is a little work, but it sure is nice to have a place to get rid of organic waste anytime I like. Then down road when I have beautiful compost to add to my potting soil, I am grateful to have done right thing earlier, and I know that I have wasted nothing.

Michael J. McGroarty is author of this article. Visit his most interesting website, http://www.freeplants.com and sign up for his excellent gardening newsletter, and grab a FREE copy of his E-book, "Easy Plant Propagation"

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**HOT TIPS**

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GARDEN TOOL NOOK

Install a rural style mailbox on a post near your garden. You can paint flowers on it for a great-looking waterproof nook to keep small hand tools, garden gloves, kneeling pads or even a notebook for writing down garden records. This is one way to make sure you don't put off writing down planting times, fertilizing schedules, etc.

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BE A WEED EATER

Many of "weeds" you try so hard to get rid of can actually be eaten and contain two or three times nutritional value than spinach or swisschard. Use young leaves from dandelion, chicory, lamb's quarters, shepard's purse or watercress for a wild greens salad. Serve with a vinegar and oil dressing. You can also steam or sauté any of these "weeds." Sauté in olive oil and garlic and/or drizzle with lemon juice.

****************************************************************************************** Gardener's Supply Outlet Savings Order your fall gardening supplies now and save.

Gardener's Supply Fall Outlet Sale - Save and additional 10% on orders of $50 or more

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READER'S QUESTIONS

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Have a question? Ask BNT. Send your questions to askbnt@sendfree.com

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FROM OUR READERS

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Have a gardening idea, country recipe, or picture you'd like to share? Please send your input to readertips@sendfree.com

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Copyright 2003 BNT's Country Paradise

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****************************************************************************************** Bill and Terry Regling www.bntscountryparadise.com bnt@bntscountryparadise.com 1430 Marshall Road Lyndonville, New York 585-765-9421