HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Ecology Center <ecologycntr@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Date: 16 Nov 92 08:45 PST
Subject: Re: Horrible Plants
Nf-ID: #R:1992Nov13.210345.18149@cbfsb.cb.:-172042732:cdp:1453300099:000:730
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!ecologycntr    Nov 16 08:45:00 1992


Hey, wait a minute!

I LIKE poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Chollas, etc. Since when are we
defining a plant's worth by how they affect our own comfort?

P.I. & O have wonderful fall color, provide wildlife habitat & food, 
stabilize soil disturbed by people trying to grow comfortable plants
like crown vetch and fine fescue, and they make sure that humans
will avoid the area to some extent. Chollas, agaves, yuccas and so forth
sure are painful if you bump into them, SO WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING.
It ain't the plant's fault you're clumsy.

My list of horrible plants would include english ivy, tall fescue, irish yew,
(if pruned), and those boring white peonies you see everywhere back east.

The rant is ended, go in peace. ;)

chris

Xref: sparky rec.gardens:8159 alt.bonsai:382
From: dhamilto@gssec.bt.co.uk (David Hamilton)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens,alt.bonsai
Subject: Re: Christmas tree alternative?
Date: 20 Nov 92 15:58:16 GMT
Organization: BT, Software Engineering Centre, Glasgow, UK

In article <1ee1srINNsps@cat.cis.Brown.EDU>, GE777009@brownvm.brown.edu (Jenna Cole-Steele) writes:
|>
|> I heard somewhere, (i don't know where) that many bonsai are
|> poisonous. Anyone know the true knowledge?
|> 
|> Jennifer Cole-Steele

I don't where you heard that, bonsai are just dwarfed versions of
normal forest trees.

Never heard of a poisonous oak or pine.

-- 
David Hamilton                         Email:  dhamilton@gssec.bt.co.uk
BT, Glasgow Engineering Centre,        Phone:  +44 41 553 2116
229 George Street, Glasgow, UK G1 1BZ
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: psmith@alfred.carleton.ca (Peter Smith)
Subject: Ontario Market Gardening - followup
Organization: Carleton University
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 17:24:48 GMT

Thanks to those who responded to my original question re:  what are 
good sources of information for persons wanting to get into market
gardening.  Although I still have a lot of research/learning to do, as
many readers pointed out, the best source -- not surprisingly -- is
your local Ont Ministry of Agriculture office (look in the blue pages
of your phone book).

I made one phone call, and they forwarded me a guide on financial
planning for farmers and another on "getting started in part-time
farming in Ontario".  Although it won't answer all my questions, it
gives reference to other publications/sources, and I was given the
number of a local rep with whom you can just chat about things.

good luck to anyone else with similar interests
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: bobw@csg.uwaterloo.ca (Bob Wildfong)
Subject: Identify this strange toadstool
Organization: Computer Systems Group, University of Waterloo
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 16:49:50 GMT

I wonder if any mycologists out there can identify the weird growths which
have appeared on the lawns on my street.  I've seen toadstools before, but
these specimens are truly bizarre.

They're generally white, but sometimes with a few brown specks near the bottom,
height ranging from 3 feet to over 6 feet, with a roughly conical shape, 
sometimes reminiscent of two or three large spheres stacked one on top of the
other.

They seem to require cold weather to grow, since they always appear immediately
after the first snowfall and they grow amazingly quickly, often within a few
hours.

I've seen the neighbourhood children playing with these monstrous toadstools,
putting hats and scarves on them and decorating their surfaces with buttons,
twigs and other scraps to make them look like towering, white, bloated people.
I do hope, for the childrens' sake that they're not poisonous.

Please, if anyone can help me identify this species, if would put my mind
at rest.  I'm particularly interested in their growth habits.  Are they
detrimental to the lawn?  If not, I'd appreciate any hints on how to encourage
them to grow in my yard, too.  They have a kind of, I don't know, charm about
them when they're dressed up like that.

All replies appreciated,


Bob Wildfong                                       bobw@csg.uwaterloo.ca
Waterloo, Ontario                                  bobw@csg.waterloo.edu
AgCan zone 5a, USDA zone 4 (on a windy hilltop)

Where the first heavy snowfall has taken me by surprise, coming three weeks
earlier than last year.  Guess I'll finish my yardwork in the spring.
From: mnb@voodoo.boeing.com (Mike Burr)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Re: Christmas tree alternative?
Date: 19 Nov 92 03:08:11 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Boeing Graphics project, Bellevue WA

In article <1992Nov17.190036.17126@infonode.ingr.com> jimreed@b23b.b23b.ingr.com writes:
>
>Actually, if there was no demand, it would not have been planted in the
>first place.  The vast majority of Christmas trees purchased in the U.S.
>are grown on Christmas Tree Farms, not harvested from "the wild".
>

This is generally true, but I'd like to add a few counter points...
not to spoil anybodys Christmas you understand - just some food for
thought.

A.  In some cases the land the tree farms are on wouldn't have been
    cleared in the first place.  And in general basic farming practices
    are in effect on xmas tree farms - ie. "Kill everything that could
    harm the crop with pesticides, etc."  So I'm not convienced that
    xmas tree farms are a net benifit to the environment.

B.  The forest service issues permits to people who want to go out in 
    the wild and cut their own.  While percentage wise, I'm sure this
    is a small amount, it still means many, many, thousands of wild trees  
    that are destroyed for xmas.

C.  The most grotesque example of all (IMHO) is the "National Christmas
    Tree".  Every year a *beautiful* specimen tree, 60 - 80ft tall is
    cut (killed) for this "honor".  Its enough to make any real tree
    lover cringe.

D.  Because of this national craze to put a dead tree in one's house
    at xmas time, there are many areas where its difficult to even
    grow a fir tree on your property without some low-life coming
    along and cutting the middle out of it for their xmas tree.  This
    has happened to me twice.  If anyone has a (practical) solution
    to this I'd love to hear it.


-- 
Michael Burr  Boeing Computer Services, Bellevue WA
              Email:mnb@voodoo.ca.boeing.com
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: gcs@edsi.plexus.COM (Greg C. Steiner)
Subject: Mock Orange overwintering
Organization: Enterprise Data Systems Incorporated, Appleton WI
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 17:52:36 GMT


The guy at the nursery was hesitant to sell us a mock orange 
because they haven't been over-wintering well here in Wisconsin. 
What recommendations can you make to help it through?

Thanks
Greg Steiner
gcs@edsi.plexus.com
From: close@lunch.wpd.sgi.com (Diane Barlow Close)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Snakes in my garden -- how do I protect them?
Date: 21 Nov 1992 21:22:20 GMT
Organization: Self employed, eh.
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: lunch.wpd.sgi.com

I was out doing the late fall pruning today and discovered 3-inch baby
snakes lying under every planter in the garden (one snake per planter).
They look like snakes of the "garter" variety (ie. harmless) and I'd
like to not be the cause of their demise.  Since it's so cold out they
are barely moving snakes.  Can I still safely water the plants in the
planters without drowning the "sleeping" snakes below?  Does anyone
have ideas on keeping these snakes happy, healthy and invisible to the
general public (ie. wild)?
-- 
Diane Barlow Close
	close@lunch.wpd.sgi.com 
	I'm at lunch today.  :-)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: kcarroll@stein.u.washington.edu
Subject: Hazelnut
Organization: University of Washington
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 21:33:56 GMT


Since moving, I have acquired a hazelnut
(filbert) tree in sad shape. It's in
need of pruning, de-suckering, and 
according to previous owner the crows
always ate the fruit seconds after it
appeared. 
Any suggestions as to when and how
to get this back into shape so we
can enjoy nuts next year?

kris carroll

kcarroll@stein.u.washington.edu

thanks
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: rcm@col.hp.com (hpctdfc)
Subject: Re: horseradish
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 19:07:00 GMT
Organization: Don't ask me, I'm Lost!

> >I think horseradish must be one of those plants that in some locales
> >turns into a rampant weed and in other places struggles along.  I have
> >heard that horseradish can be QUITE invasive, but you'd never know it from 
> >my garden.  Here on my "homestead" in ol' La-La Land it has stayed the

You'd never know it from my garden, either.  It grows slowly, and has
been quite UN-invasive here in my Colorado garden.  I wish it would
grow faster and would spread more.  I planted my roots two years ago
and have yet to get a harvest.  They grow slower here due to the dry
climate (plus my garden is at almost 7000' in Falcon, CO).

> sorry, Cray is in MN (Eagan Township) which is near Sunfish Lake
> my grandpa's old farm - sold it during the dry years - caught his
> brother making illegal booze during prohibition (but that's another
> story), also in WI (Chippewa Falls), also in CO (Fort Collins, I believe)

Cray Computer is in Colorado Springs, not Fort Collins.  I know,
'cause it's just two buildings over from where I am typing this! (HP)
Note Cray Research is not the same company as Cray Computer.

Rick
Information Technology Specialist
Hewlett-Packard NTD
Colorado Springs, CO
From: br105@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jeffrey A. Del Col)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Birth Control Pill Source
Date: 15 Nov 1992 23:08:30 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: br105@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jeffrey A. Del Col)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu

Okay, Alice, I agree, that first posting sounded a bit weird.  My
friend has ready access to outdated birth control pills because he
is a physician and gets lots of freebies from drug salesmen.  I think he
just powders them, mixes the powder with water and puts it on the 
rooting mixture (sand+peat moss) that he puts the cuttings in.

As to gibberellic acid.  I posted a question about this application to
bionet plants and got a very thorough and definitive answer-- it does
NOT promote adventitious root growth.  It controls inter-nodal growth
and is useless as a rooting stimulant.
Jeff
-- 
Jeff Del Col      *   DECONSTRUCTION--- the critical method invented      
A-B College       *                      by Procrustes  
Philippi, WV      *                             
                  *
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Re: "bad" overwintering??
Date: 20 Nov 92 20:40:07 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <1992Nov20.153455.9029@ac.dal.ca>, misty@ac.dal.ca writes:
> I purchased a box of 25 Grape Hyacinth (Muscari sp.) bulbs.  My trusty
> Prentice-Hall pocket encyclopedia of plants said that they were to be
> overwintered for 10 weeks prior to planting.  I had to resort to another
> book to look up overwintering.  This one, put out by Random House in '68
> stated that I should "plant bulbs 1-2 inches apart in a 15 inch diameter
> pot filled with sterile soil and kept in a cool (10 degrees Celsius) dark
> place until spring".
> I did this.  Guess what?  Now I have 25 blossoming Grape Hyacinths in
> my basement.  What happened?!
> 

Congratulations, Rachel!  You've learned how to force grape hyacinths!
That's a skill a lot of people pay good money for!  (check the prices
on potted tulips, etc., at a florist's this winter).  

I suspect you intended to plant the grape hyacinths outdoors, so
they'd bloom this spring, right?  In that case, you just plant the 
bulbs as soon as they arrive in late summer/fall.  Somehow, you 
got into the bulb-forcing directions.

Forced grape hyacinths can often be "salvaged" for bloom (in spring 94,
not '93) by giving them as much light as possible and some good fertilizer.
Plant them outdoors as soon as you can dig this spring.  With luck, they'll
finish their annual cycle out there.  Truthfully, I've never tried to 
save grape hyacinths that have bloomed _this_ early-- they may want to
go dormant again before spring, and that's OK too.

If you want to learn more about forcing bulbs, FTP to sunsite.unc.edu,
login as anonymous, and get the bulb forcing faq from 
/pub/docs/sustainable_agriculture/recgardens.

Kay Klier 
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: claird@NeoSoft.com (Cameron Laird)
Subject: Re: Horrible Plants
Organization: NeoSoft Communications Services -- (713) 684-5900
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 22:19:48 GMT

In article <1992Nov18.170743.8831@iscsvax.uni.edu> klier@iscsvax.uni.edu writes:
			.
			.
			.
>> My list of horrible plants would include english ivy, tall fescue, irish yew,
>> (if pruned), and those boring white peonies you see everywhere back east.
>
>Hm.  Well, I like peonies, esp. Festiva Maxima, the white one with red
>splashes.  And I was utterly charmed by the first scotch broom I saw,
>not to mention Erodium cicutarium...
>
>I, on the other hand, detest smooth brome (Bromus inermis), yellow and white
>sweet clover, kentucky bluegrass, quaking aspen, grey dogwood, and weeping
>willow.  I've spent too much time removing said plants from prairies.
			.
			.
			.
Ooooo, can I play?

I like Melilotus.  On the other hand, weeping willows
are pestiferous; silver maples and most ashes planted
in suburbs are insipid (although silver maples have a
branching pattern that is ideal for juvenile climbing);
cottonwood is the equivalent of its brother the aspen
for being a useless nuisance; and there are lots of
forbs that I don't like, but don't come to mind outside
gardening season.  Also, quackgrass and allied monocots
mostly show up where they don't belong (say humans).
-- 

Cameron Laird
claird@Neosoft.com (claird%Neosoft.com@uunet.uu.net)	+1 713 267 7966
claird@litwin.com (claird%litwin.com@uunet.uu.net)  	+1 713 996 8546
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: djd@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (david.j.daulton)
Subject: Re: Pruning (in particular, a sugar maple and a linden)
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 21:53:03 GMT

I have read several articles on pruning trees, and done some too.
Some pointers I recall:

1. Good branches to cut are ones that that rub each other, the house, etc.
   Also broken and diseased branches.  

2. When choosing among branches to take out, remember that narrow
   crotches are weaker, and may someday blow down on your house, etc.
   So if you are choosing between two branches, and one makes a V with the
   trunk, and another a U, cut the V.

3. "Topping" (trying to limit tree size by cutting off the
   top) is generally aesthetically disasterous.

4. If a branch is so big you need to saw it, first notch along the
   bottom, then complete the cut on top.  This prevents a branch
   from breaking and ripping a long strip of bark with it.

5. When pruning apple trees, try to open up the center, so the
   sun shines down through it.

6. Cut as flush as possible, instead of leaving stumps, since it is
   harder for bark to heal over a stump.

7. "Wound" compounds for spreading on pruned areas are a waste of
   money (but I believe Wyman's says they are good for really big
   wounds--so there is some disagreement on this).

8. Any pruning is robbing a tree of nutrients and energy.  So, if you
   are pruning a small tree in order to shape it, you may want to simple
   cut the tips off unwanted branches, to impede their growth, without
   removing them.  The tree will still be shaped, but not all at once.

9. Despite what most books say, experiments at one university showed that
   you do NOT need to prune transplanted trees back by 1/3.

10. Don't overdo it.

And be careful.  I was trying to prune one tree with a rope saw.  This
is a long rope, with a chain-type saw in the middle, and a bag of shot
on the end.  You throw the bag over the branch and pull the rope back and
forth to cut the branch.  I was aiming for a really high branch, and
really reared back and threw the bag hard.  Unfortunately I was standing
on the rope, to the bag went about two feet and rebounded right between
my eyes.  That really gets your attention.

Dave Daulton, Columbus, Ohio

Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: larry@ducktales.med.ge.com (Larry Landwehr)
Subject: Re: Pepper Plants
Organization: GE Medical Systems, Magnetic Resonance
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 19:45:46 GMT

This past year I grew Serranos, Habaneros, Jalapenos and Tabascos. When
the frosts started getting too severe here in Wisconsin I moved several
of the peppers into a closed in back porch. During the move I noticed
that the Serranos and Tabascos in the garden had survived the cold
temperatures much better than the Habaneros and Jalapenos. Just recently
I moved some of the peppers from the (unheated) porch into the house.
Again, the Serranos and Tabascos were untouched by the cold while the
Habaneros were definitely wilted (had more than enough Jalapenos so none
got moved from the garden). If you need a cold resistant pepper try
Serranos and Tabascos. Me, I'm growing more Habaneros - just have to
start them a little earlier in the house next year. They're worth the
extra trouble.
From: HKORNFELD@BUPULA.BU.EDU (HARDY KORNFELD)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Personal to TIM STICKLAND, U of BATH
Date: 20 Nov 92 21:11:33 GMT
Organization: BOSTON UNIVERSITY, Pulmonary Center
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.22

Tim,

In typical fashion, i deleted all of our mail after getting the VFR
indicators.  I am still waiting for the DoD keyfobs, but please email
me so i can get your address again.

Forgetfully yours,

Hardy
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
From: drinckes@nzl.abk.nec.co.jp (Doug Rinckes)
Subject: Re: Japanese Motorcycle Repair Kit
 
Reply-To: drinckes@nzl.abk.nec.co.jp
Organization: Telecommunications Systems Support Centre, New Zealand
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 20:21:09 GMT

In article 4286@bnr.uk, datasbld@bnr.ca (Datasbuild) writes:
>FranklinKL (klf@druwa.ATT.COM) wrote:
>: 		"Japanese Motorcycle Repair Kit"
>: It was a farking TOYOTA TERCEL.
>: 
>: I'm sure the simple bastard doesn't have a clue.  Can you say hypocrite?
>: I knew you could.
>
>I saw a "Save the Whales" sign in the back window of a Jap cage in the car park
>the other day.  My SO couldn't understand why I laughed!

Have you noticed it's usually the grottiest, rustiest cars pumping out the 
most smoke and oil that have the Greenpeace stickers on?  Yeah, save the 
environment with carbon dioxide.  Right on.

I'm surprised they don't convert their car to run on whale oil.

Doug Rinckes  drinckes@nzl.abk.nec.co.jp | My companys opinions are like
TSSC New Zealand    DoD#: 741            | my companys cars - they don't
1976 BMW R100S + 41mm Dell'Ortos         | like me using either of them.
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: VIRTUAL REALITY machines
From: dev2@inform.co.nz (Michael Seales)
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 00:06:52 GMT
Organization: InForm Group Ltd.

In article <sheppamj.722206366@sun.soe.clarkson.edu>, sheppamj@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (Matthew Sheppard) writes:
> Well, the virtual reality people came to clarkson this week and I went
> to a nearby school (Suny-Canton) to hear the lecture one of the people
> gives every once in a while.
> 
> It was a well prepared speach and in it he discussed the history of
> virtual reality.  One of the first virtual reality machines, designed in
> the 60's was a MOTORCYCLE simulator.  It included a steroscopic movie
> display and vibrations to simulate the motor speed.  

Just imagine it. If it was really good you could have a really fast bike
and push it to its limits all the time. No cops, slow cagers, or things
to piss you off, and fall off without getting hurt. That would be so much fun.

-- 
###############################################################################
# Mike Seales         Email: homer@inform.co.nz    \         /                #
# Inform Group Ltd.   Phone: 64-4-4720996          (         )   Oh Lordy!    #
# Level 8 DB Tower      Fax: 64-4-4732407         (-----------)               #
# 111 The Terrace                                 (           ) We're out of  #
# Wellington      My .sig is not silly, I'm too    (         ) goldfish again.#
# New Zealand     busy doing real work to improve it (_____)   And I'm hungry.#
###############################################################################
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
From: hesh@cup.hp.com (Chris Steinbroner)
Subject: Re: Obituary
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 01:42:37 GMT
Reply-To: Chris Steinbroner <hesh@cup.hp.com>
Organization: HP-UX Kernel Lab, Cupertino, CA
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.1 PL7]

U2EF5@wvnvm.wvnet.edu wrote:
: As an owner of a very sick MC (and looking for
: a new one), I know how you feel.  Cheer up, though, this may just hasten
: the acquisition of NM.

tell me where you park it, and i can help. ;-)

-- hesh
From: mtaffe@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (Michael Taffe)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Riding gloves
Keywords: deer skin, elk skin, silk
Date: 18 Nov 92 20:18:30 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego

In article <1992Nov17.041350.6673@serval.net.wsu.edu> johnsw@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu (William E. Johns) writes:
> 
>The problem I had was finding good silk gloves.

I second the idea that a pair of silk glove liners can work wonders for cold
hands.  I carry a pair in my jacket year 'round, just in case.  I have very
little difficulty finding them, however.  You might want to try the big 
bicycle mail-order firms such as Nashbar, Performance and Colorado Cyclist
(If you need a phone number check the rec.bicycles.marketplace FAQ or look
in any of the major biking mags.)  Another source for glove liners is any of
the outdoor supply places (REI, EMS(for you right-coasters) etc).  As a final
note, polypro liners are sometimes cheaper and also work pretty well to warm
up the fingers.
0753
From: keith@ctms.gwinnett.com (Keith Warren)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: High speed in USA?
Date: 16 Nov 92 16:31:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: ctms.1992Nov16.163157.19384
Organization: Consolidated Traffic Management Services (CTMS)


>"mikesteg" == Mike Stegbauer <mikesteg@syclone.detroit.sgi.com> writes:
>
>mikesteg> That's the problem with going 80 mph, the cops can catch
>mikesteg> you.  Seriously, no one gets arrested for going 80 mph,
                            ^^^^^^      ^^^^^^^^
>mikesteg> unless you're in a school zone.
 

Sorry but unfortunately you could be incorrect in that assumption in the 
Great State of Georgia ! Georgia penal(sp) code dictates that anyone 
caught speeding at 25 miles per hour (or greater) over the posted speed
limit gets a free go to jail card. I have had a cop lower my speeding ticket
by 29 miles per hour just to avoid the paperwork involved in this particular
legislation. (97mph in a 45mph zone) Not a school zone either! Risky Business
but somebody's gotta do it . Drive Fast, Take Chances, Avoid Arrest. Speeding
at the beginning of a shift change works for me, many cops have just given the
old SLOW DOWN look then continued on to that time clock and donut shop !




-- 
 keith@ctms!gwinnett.com         God made Love-Handles so that our SO would 
 Keith Warren  DoD #4761 (69^2)  have a place to hold on to in the Twisties!
 Personal Proprietary Opinion      74 Kawa F11 Enduro      75 CB360T 
                                   1993 Kawasaki KLF220-A6 4 Wheel ATV 
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
From: mitcheec@ctrvx1.vanderbilt.edu (Elliott Mitchell)
Subject: VESPA
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Vanderbilt University
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 18:54:00 GMT

Does anyone in this group ever talk about Vespas?  Any interest in Vespas?

+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
| Elliott Mitchell
|  Peabody College at Vanderbilt University
|  Nashville, Tenn. Home of the Grand Ole Opry
|  IN: mitcheec@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu | BN: MITCHEEC@VUCTRVAX