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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-05-15, Page 9CORRECTION The daft which appeared In the May 14th issue df FOCUS was incorrect. It should have read... PEAT MOSS 2 CU. FT. 3.75 OFFER GOOD ON MAY 18th, 19th A 20th The Signal Star apologizes for any Inconvenience that may have occurred due to this error. • Simple ma ntena:nce procedure helps lawn mowers last longer It's a fact of summer life that you haven't really taken care of your lawn unless you've taken care of your lawn mower too. Pro- blems resulting from lawn -mower neglect can pile up faster than grass clippings. Dirt and grass can accumulate in the air filter and engine cooling fans, hampering proper engine perfdhance. Nuts and bolts can loosen, causing vibra- tion, noise and possible damage to the mower. Engine oil can break down and lose its ability to lubricate. And a dull blade can damage grass. An unbalanced blade can burn .out bearings or strain an engine. You can avoid these problems, save money and prolong the life of your mower by following a simple maintenance pro- gram. Most manufacturers make it easy for you to care for your equipment properly. They not only list maintenance checks in the operator's inxtttua1, they even explain how to perform routine maintenance yourself. At John Deere, we suggest taking three easy steps after every 25 hours of mower use: 1. Change the crankcase oil (4 -cycle engines only). 2. Clean or replace the air filter.• 3. Inspect and replace the spark plug if necessary. Your mower's cutting blade probably will require more frequent attention, especially later in the summer when grass becomes tough and wiry. Keeping a sharp blade is important to maintaining a healthy lawn. Brown and frayed grass tips are one indication that your blade needs sharpening. Here's a basic guide to sharpening walk - behind mower blades. Be sure to read the operator's manual for your particular model before doing the work. Disconnect the spark plug wire. Turning the blade with the spares plug connecteu eon cause the engine to start suddenly. Tip the mower on its right side for easy ac- cess to the blade. Then remove the blade by loosening the holding screw. Be sure to pro- tect your hands by wearing work gloves, or wrapping the blade in heavy cloth. Using a file or grinding wheel, sharpen the blade by working inward from the outer edge. Leave a one -sixty -fourth -inch flat edge for strength and be sure to retain the original bevel. Be careful not to sharpen the blade to a razor's edge; a thin edge can crack and bend back, tearing and shredding your grass. Check the blade for proper balancev by spindling it on a pencil or screwdriver. If one side dips, remove more metal from it until the blade is balanced. By sharpening your mower blade regular- ly and servicing the mower on schedule you can maintain a healthy lawn and a smooth - running machine. Questions and answers on getting the most from your !awn Question: Two areas of my lawn are dying, but the rest seems healthy. What clues point to the culprit? While both insect and disease damage are marked by patches of dead or dying grass, a little detective work will help you find the. culprit. First eliminate suspects. Fertilizer or gasoline spills can cause dying patches, as will visits from a neighbour's dog. Pay attention to circumstantial evidence. Have you noticed an unusually large number of birds or moles on your lawn? If so, they may be attracted by insects, par- ticularly spring grubs. Examine the victim on your hands and knees. Tug on the grass lightly. Usually grasses killed by insects pull free rather easily; those attacked by disease organisms generally remain 'firmly anchored. Inspect soil and plants closely for insects themselves, or signs they have been feeding. Use a reference chart to match signs with possible culprits. Check alibis. Some pests are active during certain seasons; some have a fondness for certain grass. Enlist the help of a special agent: Consult a county extension adviser. Question: Early in the season, my mower cuts grass easily. Now it strains. Is the lawn changing or is my imagination working overtime? The mower blade probably needs sharpening.,And yes, your lawn is changing. Spring grass is soft; summer grass is tough. The toughening of the grass and a gradual dulling of the blade can make your machine work harder. The blade should be sharpened after ap- proximately 25, hours of use. When the grass tips turn brown, indicating they're being trayed rather than cul cleanly, a sharpening job is in order. Read the operator's manual for' complete instructions. Remove an, equal amount �f material from each end of the blade to main- tain its balance. And leave a 1/64 -inch thick edge on the blade for strength. A razor- sharpfdge will roll over and dull quickly. Question: Id like to dethatch while mow- ing. Is this possible? You can dethatch and mow .at the same time with either special mowing blades, or a thatching attachment for riding mowers and lawn tractors. Although they do not slice as deeply as regular dethatching machines, the attachments are convenient and leave your lawn less ragged. Send your lawn care questions to: "John Deere Lawn Answers," P.O. Box 1000, Grimsby, Ontario, L3M 4H5. Selected ques- tions will be answered. Add to the value of your house by getting your lawn in -tip-top shape Want to add value to your house without spending a lot of money? Try putting your lawn in tip-top condition. "Real estate people confirm that a well - tended lawn and landscape can add up to 6 percent to the value of a house," says Bob Tracinski, consumer information specialist for a manufacturer of a wide range of lawn and garden equipment. "A good-looking lawn helps establish a favourable first im- pr,ession - and real estate agents say that's important. It's also considered a good measure of how a homeowner cares for his house." According to Tracinski, the best way' to make a lawn look good is to put your grass on a regular program of fertilization, water- ing and mowing. He suggests . that homeowners fill holes and level bumps in the lawn to assure a smooth uniform mow- ing job. . ' `Almost every yard has a problem area," says Tracinski. "If ground is steeply sloped or heavily shaded in a spot, use ground Grade 2 and 3 classes from Brookside go on nature hike to farm Mrs. Ottewell took her Grade 2 and 3 class on a nature hike to her farm on Tuesday. Mr. Ottewell guided them around to study trees, plants, orchard, erosion, reforesta- tion, a dam, birds and animals! • On Wednesday the video camera filmed the Grade 2 and 3 class, each showing and discussing his or her hobby or interest. The children enjoyed seeing themselves on TV. In Mrs. Worsell's Grade 3 class, one reading group is studying the novel, Burma Boy. Another group is working on Indian legends and the third group -is preparing a play on the story, Rob Rooster. Shane and Jodi Webster brought two baby ducks to school on Wednesday to their respective classes Grade 2 and Grade 4. On Thursday, Tricia Brown brought her pet hamster and took it around to show fat ious ro'o"m 'TFie kinderga let c'hr?dren were entranced with its soft fur, quivering whiskers an4tiny paw -like hands. Mrs. Graham's Grade 4 class welcomes Angela Tyndall who has moved from Holmesville area to Brookside. Mrs. Tebbutt's Grade 4 class planted some cuttings and seeds for Mother's Day. 1GIrs. Allen's grade cTass sTartea an animal unit and watched. a film, Death of the Legend. Mr. Liddle's Grade 6 class met with Grade 3 buddies. The Grade 6 students made up drills and activities to help the younger -children with their times tables and also shared a story. Mrs. Young's Grade 1 class is working ort booklets as a follow-up to their trip to the, circus. Stag OE czzUL'iz L�u`c�ur®zt and E�Ez (l and F2IEydFn /Q,9 ,SLI /985 8 p.m. to : a.m. isc /Joc,&Ey •3.00 pEt Merton f'unc1 �zovicizd The Grade 1 children in Mrs. Blanchette's room were making a surprise for their Mothers for Mother's Day. -Mr. Sygrove's class talked about Spring flowers. Parents are invited to the Field Day on May 16 at Brookside. HARBOR REPORT The Algowood arrived light May 1 and cleared harbour the sande day with salt bound for Ferrysburg. - The-- Algerail arrived light from. Cleveland May 2 and cleared harbour with a load of salt bound for Parry Sound. The Agawa Canyon arrived light from Toledo May 5 and Bleared harbour the same day with a load of salt bound for Chicago. The Algowood arrived light May 8 and elear with --a lead of salt bound for Sandusky, Ohio. The Algowood returned from Sandusky May 10 and cleared harbour the next day with salt bound for Toronto. The Soodoc arrived from Thunder Bay and cleared harbour the same day with a load bound for Collingwt od. The Soodoc returned from Thunder Bay May 7 and cleared harbour the next day with a load of corn bound for Montreal. TE -EM FARM. cover, like pachysandra, or a mulch, like decorative rocks or shredded bark. For sec- tions of a lawn where grass is worn thin from heavy foot traffic, plant grass seed to renovate the lawn, or lay paving bricks to make a walkway. "Neatness and well-defined borders help create an attractive landscape. Anything that disrupts the harmony of the landscape - leaves and debris lying around, ragged borders on flower gardens and obvious weeds - can detract from the overall ap- pearance and value of that property," Tracinski says. l' Box Plants Hanging Pots rd! Geraniums 1-0 Begonias I'd Spi kes HIUSSER'S GREENHOUSE 1.56 Eldon Street (Across From Racetrack) Goderich BuY ANDGETA FBEE TRIMMER. When you buy an Ariens riding mower now t hrough Mgyy 30. 1985, you get a -Tanaka gas powered trimmer - free. You also get these tough Ariens features: ❑8or10hpengine Li 30" or 32" Flex -N -Float plower deck ❑ 6 tbrward speeds and reverse ❑ 5 -position cutting height control lever [1 'IWvo season warranty 1"1 Local service and parts 'l'he l3AGGER-VACTM'Collection System and elect ric start . are also available. Save money on an Ariens rider today. And take home two lawn care tools for the price ol.one. ■ riens THE EASY CHOICE FOR TOUGH CUSTOMERS. Argyle Marine 88 Britannia Rd. 524-9201 10 Day Sale 1OWA(STG We're Bring you a different Super Sp martin' market 1/4 Mile east of Benmiller Rd. on Hwy,8 �.P Keep this ad handy for ready reference of daily specials (Watch for this ad in Goderich Signal Star) Phone