Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                                    COMPOSITE COPY INCORPORATING FIRST AMENDMENT

                     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                           DATED AS OF JUNE 26, 1998

                                     AMONG

                             HINES NURSERIES, INC.,
                                      and
                        SUN GRO HORTICULTURE CANADA LTD.

                                 as Borrowers,

                           THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN,
                                  as Lenders,

            BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                             as Syndication Agent,
                         HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
                            as Documentation Agent,

                             DEUTSCHE BANK CANADA,
                               as Canadian Agent,
                                      and

                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                            as Administrative Agent

                                  Arranged by:
                          BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBITS

I           FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
II          FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
III         FORM OF REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
IV-A        FORM OF DOMESTIC TERM NOTE
IV-B        FORM OF ACQUISITION NOTE
IV-C        FORM OF WORKING CAPITAL REVOLVING NOTE
IV-D        FORM OF CANADIAN TERM NOTE
IV-E        FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE
V           FORM OF NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF CLEAN DOWN PERIOD
VI          FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
VII         FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BORROWERS
VIII        FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS
IX          FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
X           FORM OF AUDITOR'S LETTER
XI          FORM OF CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS
XII         FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
XIII        FORM OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT
XIV         FORM OF MASTER ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
XV          FORM OF HOLDINGS GUARANTY
XVI         FORM OF COMPANY GUARANTY
XVII        FORM OF CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XVIII       FORM OF CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
XIX         FORM OF CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XX          FORM OF CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXI         FORM OF CANADIAN SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXII        FORM OF DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXIII       FORM OF DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XXIV        FORM OF DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXV         FORM OF DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXVI        FORM OF DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XXVII       FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCESS AGREEMENT
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULES

2.1         COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
5.1         SUBSIDIARIES OF HOLDINGS
5.5         REAL PROPERTY ASSETS OF HOLDINGS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
7.1         PERMITTED EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
7.2         PERMITTED LIENS
7.3         PERMITTED EXISTING INVESTMENTS
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>            <C>                                                          <C>

Section  1.    DEFINITIONS..................................................   3
         1.1   Certain Defined Terms........................................   3
         1.2   Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of
               Calculations Under Agreement.................................  37
         1.3   Other Definitional Provisions and Rules of Construction......  37
Section  2.    AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS...................  37
         2.1   Commitments; Making of Loans; the Register; Notes............  37
         2.2   Interest on the Loans........................................  47
         2.3   Fees.........................................................  52
         2.4   Repayments, Prepayments and Reductions in Revolving Loan
               Commitments; General Provisions Regarding Payments...........  52
         2.5   Use of Proceeds..............................................  61
         2.6   Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans and
               Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans...............................  62
         2.7   Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy.....................  65
         2.8   Obligation of Lenders and Issuing Lenders to Mitigate........  69
Section  3.    LETTERS OF CREDIT............................................  69
         3.1   Issuance of Letters of Credit and Lenders' Purchase of
               Participations Therein.......................................  69
         3.2   Letter of Credit Fees........................................  72
         3.3   Drawings and Reimbursement of Amounts Paid Under Letters of
               Credit.......................................................  73
         3.4   Obligations Absolute.........................................  75
         3.5   Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lenders' Duties...........  76
         3.6   Increased Costs and Taxes Relating to Letters of Credit......  77
Section  4.    CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT....................  78
         4.1   Conditions to Term Loans and Initial Revolving Loans and
               Swing Line Loans.............................................  78
         4.2   Conditions to All Loans......................................  84
         4.3   Conditions to Acquisition Loans..............................  85
         4.4   Conditions to Letters of Credit..............................  86
Section  5.    BORROWERS' REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................  86
         5.1   Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing, Business
               and Subsidiaries.............................................  86
         5.2   Authorization of Borrowing, etc..............................  87
         5.3   Financial Condition..........................................  88
         5.4   No Material Adverse Change; No Restricted Junior Payments....  89
         5.5   Title to Properties; Liens...................................  89
         5.6   Litigation; Adverse Facts....................................  89
         5.7   Payment of Taxes.............................................  90
         5.8   Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse Agreements;
               Material Contracts...........................................  90
         5.9   Governmental Regulation......................................  90
         5.10  Securities Activities........................................  90
         5.11  Employee Benefit Plans.......................................  91
         5.12  Certain Fees.................................................  91
         5.13  Environmental Protection.....................................  91

</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S>            <C>                                                          <C>

         5.14  Employee Matters.............................................  93
         5.15  Solvency.....................................................  93
         5.16  Disclosure...................................................  93
         5.17  Matters Relating to Collateral...............................  93
         5.18  Year 2000 Compliance.........................................  94
         5.19  Water Availability...........................................  95
Section  6.    BORROWERS' AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.............................  95
         6.1   Financial Statements and Other Reports.......................  95
         6.2   Corporate Existence, etc..................................... 101
         6.3   Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation............... 101
         6.4   Maintenance of Properties; Insurance......................... 102
         6.5   Inspection; Lender Meeting................................... 103
         6.6   Compliance with Laws, etc.................................... 103
         6.7   Environmental Disclosure and Inspection...................... 103
         6.8   Company's Remedial Action Regarding Hazardous Materials...... 105
         6.9   Execution of Guaranties and Collateral Documents by Future
               Subsidiaries................................................. 105
         6.10  Additional Mortgages......................................... 106
         6.11  Supplemental Actions Relating to Closing Date Mortgages;
               Closing Date Mortgage Policies; Etc.......................... 108
         6.12  Supplemental Actions Relating to Existing Mortgages; Etc..... 109
         6.13  Assignability and Recording of Lease Agreements.............. 109
Section  7.    BORROWERS' NEGATIVE COVENANTS................................ 110
         7.1   Indebtedness................................................. 110
         7.2   Liens and Related Matters.................................... 111
         7.3   Investments; Joint Ventures.................................. 112
         7.4   Contingent Obligations....................................... 112
         7.5   Restricted Junior Payments................................... 113
         7.6   Financial Covenants.......................................... 114
         7.7   Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales and
               Acquisitions................................................. 117
         7.8   Consolidated Capital Expenditures............................ 119
         7.9   Restriction on Leases........................................ 120
         7.10  Sales and Lease-Backs........................................ 120
         7.11  Sale or Discount of Receivables.............................. 120
         7.12  Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates................ 120
         7.13  Disposal of Subsidiary Stock................................. 121
         7.14  Conduct of Business.......................................... 121
         7.15  Amendments of Certain Documents; Designation of Designated
               Senior Debt.................................................. 121
         7.16  Fiscal Year.................................................. 122
Section  8.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................ 122
         8.1   Failure to Make Payments When Due............................ 122
         8.2   Default in Other Agreements.................................. 122
         8.3   Breach of Certain Covenants.................................. 123
         8.4   Breach of Warranty........................................... 123
         8.5   Other Defaults Under Loan Documents.......................... 123
         8.6   Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc......... 123

</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S>            <C>                                                          <C>

         8.7   Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc........... 123
         8.8   Judgments and Attachments.................................... 124
         8.9   Dissolution.................................................. 124
         8.10  Employee Benefit Plans....................................... 124
         8.11  Material Adverse Effect...................................... 124
         8.12  Change in Control............................................ 124
         8.13  Invalidity of Any Guaranty................................... 125
         8.14  Failure of Security.......................................... 125
Section  9.    AGENT........................................................ 126
         9.1   Appointment.................................................. 126
         9.2   Powers and Duties; General Immunity.......................... 127
         9.3   Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For
               Appraisal of Creditworthiness................................ 128
         9.4   Right to Indemnity........................................... 128
         9.5   Successor Agent and Swing Line Lender........................ 129
         9.6   Collateral Documents and Guaranties.......................... 129
Section 10.    MISCELLANEOUS................................................ 130
        10.1   Assignments and Participations in Loans and Letters of Credit 130
        10.2   Expenses..................................................... 132
        10.3   Indemnity.................................................... 133
        10.4   Set-Off; Security Interest in Deposit Accounts............... 134
        10.5   Ratable Sharing.............................................. 134
        10.6   Amendments and Waivers....................................... 136
        10.7   Independence of Covenants.................................... 137
        10.8   Notices...................................................... 137
        10.9   Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements....... 138
        10.10  Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative........ 138
        10.11  Marshalling; Payments Set Aside.............................. 138
        10.12  Severability................................................. 138
        10.13  Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders' Rights... 139
        10.14  Headings..................................................... 139
        10.15  Applicable Law............................................... 139
        10.16  Successors and Assigns....................................... 139
        10.17  Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process............... 139
        10.18  Waiver of Jury Trial......................................... 140
        10.19  Confidentiality.............................................. 141
        10.20  Judgment Currency............................................ 141
        10.21  Counterparts; Effectiveness.................................. 141

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                             HINES NURSERIES, INC.

                     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

          This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of June 26,
1998 and entered into by and among HINES NURSERIES, INC., a California
corporation ("Company"), SUN GRO HORTICULTURE CANADA LTD., a Canadian
corporation ("Sun Gro Canada"), LAKELAND CANADA LTD., an Alberta corporation
("Lakeland Canada"; together with Sun Gro Canada, the "Canadian Borrowers"; the
Canadian Borrowers and Company shall collectively be referred to herein as
"Borrowers"), THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF
(each individually referred to herein as a "Lender" and collectively as
"Lenders"), BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION ("BofA") as
syndication agent (in such capacity, "Syndication Agent"), HARRIS TRUST AND
SAVINGS BANK ("Harris") as documentation agent (in such capacity, "Documentation
Agent"), DEUTSCHE BANK CANADA ("DB Canada") as Canadian agent (in such capacity,
"Canadian Agent") and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY ("BTCo"), as administrative agent
for Lenders (in such capacity, "Agent").

                                R E C I T A L S
                                ---------------

          WHEREAS, Company, Sun Gro Canada, Sun Gro Horticulture Inc., a Nevada
corporation, the financial institutions listed on the signature pages of the
Hines I Existing Credit Agreement (hereinafter defined) (the "Hines I Lenders")
and BT Commercial Corporation, as agent ("BTCC"), are parties to that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of August 4, 1995, as amended by that certain First
Amendment dated as of October 11, 1995, that certain Second Amendment dated as
of October 26, 1995, that certain Third Amendment dated as of March 15, 1996,
that certain Fourth Amendment dated as of August 28, 1996, that certain Fifth
Amendment and Consent dated as of November 14, 1996, that certain Sixth
Amendment dated as of February 14, 1997, that certain Seventh Amendment and
Consent to Credit Agreement dated as of March 26, 1997, that certain Eighth
Amendment and Limited Waiver to Credit Agreement and First Amendment to Holdings
Guaranty and Holdings Pledge Agreement dated as of November 7, 1997, that
certain Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Second Amendment to Holdings
Pledge Agreement dated as of December 16, 1997, and that certain Tenth Amendment
to Credit Agreement and Second Amendment to Holdings Guaranty dated as of March
9, 1998 (as so amended, the "Hines I Existing Credit Agreement");

          WHEREAS, Hines II, Inc. ("Hines II"), Lakeland Canada (formerly known
as 763427 Alberta Ltd.), the financial institutions listed on the signature
pages of the Hines II Existing Credit Agreement (hereinafter defined) (the
"Hines II Lenders") and BTCC, as agent, are parties to that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of December 16, 1997, as amended by that certain First
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of February 10, 1998 and that certain
Second Amendment and Consent to Credit Agreement and First Amendment to Holdings
Guaranty dated as of March 9, 1998 (as so amended, the "Hines II Existing Credit
<PAGE>

Agreement"; the Hines I Existing Credit Agreement and the Hines II Existing
Credit Agreement are collectively referred to herein as the "Existing Credit
Agreements");

          WHEREAS, Company, which was formerly known as "Hines Horticulture,
Inc." or "Hines I" has been renamed "Hines Nurseries, Inc.", and Hines II has
been merged with and into Company, with Company as the surviving entity;

          WHEREAS, Hines Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, has merged with
and into Hines Horticulture, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), with
Holdings as the surviving entity;

          WHEREAS, Holdings will be offering shares of its common stock to the
public and will apply the proceeds raised by such public offering, in part, to
repay or redeem (i) approximately $15,500,000 in existing mortgage debt of
Company and (ii) approximately $42,000,000 in principal of the Subordinated
Notes;

          WHEREAS, Lakeland Canada, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland
U.S., Inc., a Delaware corporation, has sold all of its stock in Black Gold,
Inc., an Oregon corporation, and Pacific Soil Company, a Nevada corporation, to
Lakeland U.S., Inc.;

          WHEREAS, Black Gold, Inc. and Pacific Soil Company have merged with
and into Lakeland U.S., Inc., with Lakeland U.S., Inc. as the surviving entity
and Lakeland U.S., Inc. has merged with and into Sun Gro Horticulture Inc., a
Nevada corporation, with Sun Gro Horticulture Inc. as the surviving entity;

          WHEREAS, Sun Gro Horticulture Inc. has contributed all of its stock in
Lakeland Canada to Sun Gro Canada so that Lakeland Canada is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Sun Gro Canada;

          WHEREAS, Sphag Sorb Ltd., an Alberta corporation is a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Lakeland Canada;

          WHEREAS, Borrowers desire to consolidate the Existing Credit
Agreements into a single credit agreement and to make certain amendments to the
terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreements, including increasing the
amount of the Loans and the Commitments, all as more specifically provided for
in this Agreement;

          WHEREAS, to facilitate such restructuring of the loans and the
commitments, all Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreements have agreed to
assign to BTCo all of their existing loans and commitments pursuant to the
Master Assignment Agreement and BTCo has agreed pursuant to the Master
Assignment Agreement to assign to each Lender under this Agreement such existing
loans and commitments as reflected on Schedule 2.1 to this Agreement;
                                      ------------

          WHEREAS, to effect the foregoing, Borrowers, Agent and Lenders, have
agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreements in their entirety,
all as hereinafter set forth in this Agreement;

                                       2
<PAGE>

          WHEREAS, Holdings has agreed to continue to guaranty the Obligations
of Borrowers and to continue to secure such guaranty with a pledge to Agent for
the benefit of Lenders of all of the capital stock of Company;

          WHEREAS, each of Company and each of Company's Domestic Subsidiaries
has agreed to continue to guaranty the Obligations of Borrowers, and Company has
agreed to continue to secure its Obligations as Borrower hereunder, and each of
Company's Domestic Subsidiaries has agreed to continue to secure its guaranty,
by pledging to Agent for the benefit of Lenders (a) all of the capital stock of
Company's Domestic Subsidiaries, (b) 65% of the capital stock of Company's
Canadian Subsidiaries, (c) substantially all of its personal property and (d)
certain of its interests in real property; and

          WHEREAS, each Canadian Borrower and each of Company's Canadian
Subsidiaries has agreed to guaranty the Obligations of Canadian Borrowers, and
each Canadian Borrower has agreed to continue to secure its Obligations as
Borrower hereunder, and each of Company's Canadian Subsidiaries has agreed to
secure its guaranty, by pledging (a) all of the capital stock of the
Subsidiaries owned by it, (b) certain of its personal property and (c) certain
of its interests in real property.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants herein contained, Borrowers, Lenders, Canadian Agent
and Agent agree as follows:

Section 1.  DEFINITIONS

1.1  Certain Defined Terms.

          The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following
meanings:

          "Acquisition Loan Conversion Date" means June 30, 2000.

          "Acquisition Loan Exposure" means with respect to any Domestic Lender
as of any date of determination (i) prior to the termination of the Acquisition
Revolving Loan Commitments, that Domestic Lender's Acquisition Revolving Loan
Commitment and (ii) after the termination of the Acquisition Revolving Loan
Commitments, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Acquisition Loans
of that Domestic Lender.

          "Acquisition Loans" means the Loans made by Domestic Lenders to
Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii).

          "Acquisition Notes" means (i) the promissory notes of Company issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1E(i)(b) on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory
notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 10.1B(i) in
connection with assignments of the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments and
Acquisition Loans of any Domestic Lenders, in each case substantially in the
form of Exhibit IV-B annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or
        ------------
otherwise modified from time to time.

                                       3
<PAGE>

          "Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitment" means the commitment of a
Domestic Lender to make Acquisition Loans to Company pursuant to subsection
2.1A(iii), and "Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments" means such commitments
of all Domestic Lenders in the aggregate.

          "Adjusted Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Interest Rate Determination
Date with respect to an Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per
annum obtained by dividing (i) the offered quotation (rounded upward to the
                  --------
nearest 1/16 of one percent) to first class banks in the interbank Eurodollar
market by BTCo for U.S. dollar deposits of amounts in same day funds comparable
to the principal amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan of BTCo for which the
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate is then being determined with maturities comparable to
such Interest Period as of approximately 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on such
Interest Rate Determination Date by (ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus the
                                 --                                 -----
stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements (including any marginal,
emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves) applicable on such Interest
Rate Determination Date to any member bank of the Federal Reserve System in
respect of "Eurocurrency liabilities" as defined in Regulation D (or any
successor category of liabilities under Regulation D).

          "Affected Lender" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
2.6C.

          "Affiliate", as applied to any Person, means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that
Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common
control with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or
by contract or otherwise.

          "Affiliated Fund" means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund
that invests (in whole or in part) in commercial loans, any other fund that
invests (in whole or in part) in commercial loans and is managed by the same
investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

          "Agent" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement, and with respect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit and so
long as BTCo serves as Agent hereunder, includes any Affiliates of BTCo
(including, without limitation, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch) acting as an
Issuing Lender, and also means and includes any successor Agent appointed
pursuant to subsection 9.5A.  For purposes of Section 9 of this Agreement and of
the Collateral Documents and Guaranties executed by Company's Canadian
Subsidiaries, Agent shall also mean Canadian Agent.  With respect to matters
dealing with the Canadian Term Loans or Canadian Term Loan Commitment, Agent
shall mean Canadian Agent.

          "Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as
of June 26, 1998, which Agreement consolidates and amends and restates the
Existing Credit Agreements, as it may be further amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

                                       4
<PAGE>

          "Applicable Base Rate Margin"  means as of any date of determination,
with respect to Domestic Term Loans, Canadian Term Loans and Revolving Loans, a
percentage per annum as set forth below opposite the applicable Consolidated
Leverage Ratio, and with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans, a percentage per
annum equal to 2.25% per annum:

     A.  Domestic Term Loans, Canadian Loans and Revolving Loans:

                                                       Applicable Base
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio                     Rate Margin
         ---------------------------                   ---------------

         Greater than or equal to 4.50:1.00                 2.000%

         Greater than or equal to 4.25:1.00                 1.750%
         but less than 4.50:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 4.00:1.00                 1.500%
         but less than 4.25:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 3.75:1.00                 1.250%
         but less than 4.00:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 3.50:1.00                 1.000%
         but less than 3.75:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 3.00:1.00                 0.750%
         but less than 3.50:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00                 0.500%
         but less than 3.00:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 2.50:1.00                 0.375%
         but less than 2.75:1.00

         Less than 2.50:1.00                                0.250%

         "Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin"  means as of any date of
determination, with respect to Domestic Term Loans, Canadian Term Loans and
Revolving Loans, a percentage per annum set forth below opposite the applicable
Consolidated Leverage Ratio, and with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans, a
percentage per annum equal to 3.25% per annum:

A.  Domestic Term Loans, Canadian Term Loans and Revolving Loans:

                                                       Applicable Eurodollar
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio                        Rate Margin
         ---------------------------                   ---------------------

         Greater than or equal to 4.50:1.00                    3.000%

         Greater than or equal to 4.25:1.00                    2.750%
         but less than 4.50:1.00

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                                       Applicable Eurodollar
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio                        Rate Margin
         ---------------------------                   ---------------------

         Greater than or equal to 4.00:1.00                    2.500%
         but less than 4.25:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 3.75:1.00                    2.250%
         but less than 4.00:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 3.50:1.00                    2.000%
         but less than 3.75:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 3.00:1.00                    1.750%
         but less than 3.50:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00                    1.500%
         but less than 3.00:1.00

         Greater than or equal to 2.50:1.00                    1.375%
         but less than 2.75:1.00

         Less than 2.50:1.00                                   1.250%

         "Asset Sale" means the sale by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
to any Person other than such Borrower or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries
of (i) any of the stock of any of such Borrower's Subsidiaries, (ii)
substantially all of the assets of any division or line of business of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any other assets (whether tangible
or intangible) of Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than (a) inventory
sold in the ordinary course of business and (b) any such other assets to the
extent that the aggregate value of such assets sold in any single transaction or
related series of transactions is equal to $250,000 or less).

          "Assignment Agreement" means an Assignment Agreement in substantially
the form of Exhibit IX annexed hereto.
            ----------

          "Auditor's Letter" means a letter, substantially in the form of

Exhibit X annexed hereto, acknowledged and agreed to by Company and Price
---------
Waterhouse LLP and delivered to Agent pursuant to subsections 4.1N and 6.1(iii).

          "Bankruptcy Code" means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled
"Bankruptcy", as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

          "Base Rate" means, at any time, the higher of (x) the Prime Rate or
(y) the rate which is 1/2 of 1% in excess of the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

          "Base Rate Loans" means Domestic Loans bearing interest at rates
determined by reference to the Base Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.

          "BofA" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement.

                                       6
<PAGE>

          "Borrowers" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction
to this Agreement.

          "BTCC" means BT Commercial Corporation.

          "BTCo" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement.

          "Business Day" means (i) for all purposes other than as covered by
clause (ii) below, any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a
legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or California or is a day
on which banking institutions located in either such state are authorized or
required by law or other governmental action to close, and (ii) with respect to
all notices, determinations, fundings and payments in connection with any
Canadian Term Loans, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (i)
above but excluding any day which, under the laws of the Province of Ontario,
Canada, is a day on which banking institutions located in such province are
authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

          "Canadian Agent" means initially DB Canada and any successor Canadian
Agent appointed by Company and Agent.

          "Canadian Base Rate" means, as at any date with respect to any
Canadian Term Loan, the rate of interest per annum equal to the greater of (a)
the rate which DB Canada announces in Canada from time to time as the reference
rate of interest for loans in Dollars to its Canadian borrowers, adjusted
automatically with each change in such rates all without the necessity of any
notice to any Borrower or any other Person, and (b) the aggregate of (i) the
Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day and (ii) 1/2 of 1% per annum.  As to
any loan, the Canadian Base Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily
represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any Canadian customer for
loans denominated in Dollars.  DB Canada may make commercial or other loans to
Canadian customers denominated in Dollars at rates of interest at, above or
below the Canadian Base Rate.

          "Canadian Base Rate Loans" means Canadian Term Loans denominated in
Dollars and bearing interest at rates determined by reference to the Canadian
Base Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.

          "Canadian Borrowers" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.

          "Canadian Dollars" means the lawful money of Canada.

          "Canadian Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Interest Rate Determination
Date with respect to an Interest Period for a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
rate per annum determined on the basis of the London interbank offered rate for
Dollar deposits with maturities comparable to such Interest Period as of
approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date
as set forth on Telerate Page 3750; provided that in the event such rate does
                                    --------
not appear on Page 3750 (or otherwise) of the Telerate Service, "Canadian
Eurodollar Rate" for purposes of this paragraph shall be determined by reference
to (i) such other publicly available service for displaying interest rates for
Dollar deposits as may be agreed upon

                                       7
<PAGE>

by Company and Agent or (ii) in the absence of such agreement, the arithmetic
average (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16 of one percent) of the offered
quotations, if any, to first class banks in the London interbank market by
Canadian Agent for Dollar deposits in same day funds comparable to the
respective principal amounts of the Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans of Canadian
Agent for which the Canadian Eurodollar Rate is then being determined, with
maturities comparable to such Interest Period as of approximately 10:00 A.M.
(Toronto time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date.

          "Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans" means Canadian Term Loans denominated
in Dollars and bearing interest at rates determined by reference to the Canadian
Eurodollar Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.

          "Canadian Funding and Payment Office" means (i) the office of DB
Canada located at 222 Bay Street, Suite 1100, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1H6 or (ii)
such other office of Canadian Agent as may from time to time hereafter be
designated as such in a written notice delivered by Canadian Agent to Borrowers
and each Lender.

          "Canadian Lenders" means any Lenders having Canadian Term Loan
Commitments or, on and after the termination of the Canadian Term Loan
Commitments, having Canadian Term Loans outstanding.

          "Canadian Reference Bank" means DB Canada.

          "Canadian Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of Company that is
incorporated or organized under the laws of Canada or any of its provinces.

          "Canadian Subsidiary Guarantor" means any Canadian Subsidiary of
Company that executes and delivers a counterpart of the Canadian Subsidiary
Guaranty on the Closing Date or from time to time thereafter pursuant to
subsection 6.9B.

          "Canadian Subsidiary Guaranty" means the Amended and Restated Canadian
Subsidiary Guaranty executed and delivered by Sphag Sorb Ltd. on the Closing
Date, or the Canadian Subsidiary Guaranties to be executed and delivered by Sun
Gro Canada and Lakeland Canada on the Closing Date or to be executed and
delivered by Canadian Subsidiaries from time to time after the Closing Date in
accordance with subsection 6.9B, substantially in the form of Exhibit XVII
                                                              ------------
annexed hereto, as such Canadian Subsidiary Guaranties may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and "Canadian Subsidiary
Guaranties" means all such Canadian Subsidiary Guaranties, collectively.

          "Canadian Subsidiary Patent Security Agreement" means each Canadian
Subsidiary Patent Collateral Security Agreement and Conditional Assignment to be
executed and delivered by Canadian Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in
accordance with subsection 6.9B, in each case substantially in the form of

Exhibit XVIII annexed hereto, as such Canadian Subsidiary Patent Security
-------------
Agreements may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
and "Canadian Subsidiary Patent Security Agreements" means all such Canadian
Subsidiary Patent Security Agreements, collectively.

                                       8
<PAGE>

          "Canadian Subsidiary Pledge Agreement" means the Canadian Subsidiary
Pledge Agreement executed and delivered by Sun Gro Canada on the Closing Date,
the Canadian Subsidiary Pledge Agreement dated as of April 6, 1998, executed and
delivered by Lakeland Canada, or each Canadian Subsidiary Pledge Agreement to be
executed and delivered by Canadian Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in
accordance with subsection 6.9B, in each case substantially in the form of

Exhibit XIX annexed hereto, as such Canadian Subsidiary Pledge Agreements may be
-----------
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and "Canadian
Subsidiary Pledge Agreements" means all such Canadian Subsidiary Pledge
Agreements, collectively.

          "Canadian Subsidiary Security Agreement" means the Canadian Subsidiary
Security Agreement dated as of April 6, 1998, executed and delivered by Sphag
Sorb Ltd., each Amended and Restated Canadian Subsidiary Security Agreement to
be executed and delivered by Sun Gro Canada and Lakeland Canada on the Closing
Date, or each Canadian Subsidiary Security Agreement to be executed and
delivered by Canadian Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in accordance
with subsection 6.9B, in each case substantially in the form of Exhibit XX
                                                                ----------
annexed hereto, as such Canadian Subsidiary Security Agreements may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and "Canadian Subsidiary
Security Agreements" means all such Canadian Subsidiary Security Agreements,
collectively.

          "Canadian Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement" means the Canadian
Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreement dated as of April 6, 1998,
executed and delivered by Sphag Sorb Ltd., each Amended and Restated Canadian
Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreement to be executed and delivered
by Sun Gro Canada and Lakeland Canada on the Closing Date, or each Canadian
Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreement to be executed and delivered
by Canadian Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in accordance with
subsection 6.9B, in each case substantially in the form of Exhibit XXI annexed
                                                           -----------
hereto, as such Canadian Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and "Canadian
Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements" means all such Amended and Restated
Canadian Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreements and Canadian
Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreements, collectively.

          "Canadian Term Loan Commitment" means the Sun Gro Canada Term Loan
Commitment or Lakeland Canada Term Loan Commitment or any combination thereof.

          "Canadian Term Loan Exposure" means with respect to any Canadian
Lender as of any date of determination (i) prior to the funding of the Canadian
Term Loans, that Canadian Lender's Canadian Term Loan Commitment and (ii) after
the funding of the Canadian Term Loans, the outstanding principal amount of the
Canadian Term Loans of that Canadian Lender.

          "Canadian Term Loans" means one or more of the Sun Gro Canada Term
Loans and the Lakeland Canada Term Loans purchased or made by Canadian Lenders
to a Canadian Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii).

                                       9
<PAGE>

          "Canadian Term Notes" means (i) the promissory notes of a Canadian
Borrower issued pursuant to subsection 2.1E(ii) on the Closing Date and (ii) any
promissory notes issued by a Canadian Borrower pursuant to the last sentence of
subsection 10.1B(i) in connection with assignments of the Canadian Term Loan
Commitments or Canadian Term Loans of any Lenders, in each case substantially in
the form of Exhibit IV-D annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or
            ------------
otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Capital Lease", as applied to any Person, means any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in
conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet
of that Person.

          "Cash" means money, currency or a credit balance in a Deposit Account.

          "Cash Equivalents" means, as at any date of determination, (i) (a)
marketable securities (1) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as
to interest and principal by the United States Government or (2) issued by any
agency of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year
after such date; (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the
United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any
public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such
date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, the highest rating
obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"); (c) commercial paper maturing no more than
one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the
acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from
Moody's; (d) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within one
year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial
bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia that (1) is at least "adequately
capitalized" (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking
regulator) and (2) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not
less than $100,000,000; and (e) shares of any money market mutual fund that (1)
has at least 95% of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments
referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, (2) has net assets of not less than
$500,000,000, and (3) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or
Moody's, and (ii) comparable Canadian short term investments.

          "Certificate re Non-Bank Status" means a certificate substantially in
the form of Exhibit XI annexed hereto delivered by a Lender to Agent pursuant to
            ----------
subsection 2.7B(iii).

          "Class" means, as applied to Lenders, each of the five classes of
Lenders consisting of Lenders with (i) Domestic Term Loan Exposure, (ii)
Canadian Term Loan Exposure, (iii) Acquisition Loan Exposure, (iv) Working
Capital Revolving Loan Exposure and (v) Tranche B Term Loan Exposure.

          "Closing Date" means June 26, 1998.

          "Collateral" means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed
property (including capital stock) in which Liens are purported to be granted
pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

                                       10
<PAGE>

          "Collateral Access Agreement" means any landlord waiver, mortgagee
waiver, bailee letter or any similar acknowledgement or agreement of any
landlord or mortgagee in respect of any Real Property Asset where any Collateral
is located or any warehouseman or processor is in possession of any Inventory of
any Loan Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit XXVII annexed hereto with
                                             -------------
such changes thereto as may be agreed to by Agent in the reasonable exercise of
its discretion.

          "Collateral Account" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
Collateral Account Agreement.

          "Collateral Account Agreement" means the Collateral Account Agreement
executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in the form
of Exhibit XII annexed hereto, as such Collateral Account Agreement may be
   -----------
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Collateral Documents" means the Collateral Account Agreement, the
Holdings Pledge Agreement, the Company Security Agreement, the Company Pledge
Agreement, the Company Trademark Security Agreement, the Company Patent Security
Agreement, the Domestic Subsidiary Security Agreements, the Domestic Subsidiary
Pledge Agreements, the Domestic Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements, the
Domestic Subsidiary Patent Security Agreements, the Canadian Subsidiary Security
Agreements, the Canadian Subsidiary Pledge Agreements, the Canadian Subsidiary
Trademark Security Agreements, the Canadian Subsidiary Patent Security
Agreements, and the Mortgages.

          "Commitment Fee Percentage" means, as at any date of determination, a
percentage per annum set forth below opposite the applicable Consolidated
Leverage Ratio:

                                                    Commitment Fee
              Consolidated Leverage Ratio             Percentage
          ----------------------------------        --------------

          Greater than or equal to 3.50:1.00            0.500%

               Less than 3.50:1.00                      0.375%

          "Commitments" means the Domestic Term Loan Commitments, the Revolving
Loan Commitments, the Canadian Term Loan Commitments or the Tranche B Term Loan
Commitments or any combination thereof.

          "Company" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement.

          "Company Common Stock" means the common stock of Company, par value
$.01 per share.

          "Company Guaranty" means the Amended and Restated Company Guaranty
executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in the form
of Exhibit
   -------

                                       11
<PAGE>

XVI annexed hereto, as such Amended and Restated Company Guaranty may be further
---
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Company Patent Security Agreement" means the Company Patent
Collateral Assignment and Security Agreement dated as of August 4, 1995,
executed and delivered by Company, as such Company Patent Collateral Assignment
and Security Agreement may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

          "Company Pledge Agreement" means the Company Pledge Agreement dated as
of August 4, 1995, executed and delivered by Company, as such Company Pledge
Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Company Security Agreement" means the Company Security Agreement
dated as of August 4, 1995, executed and delivered by Company, as supplemented
by the delivery of additional schedules relating to Hines II on the Closing
Date, as such Company Security Agreement may be further amended or supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Company Trademark Security Agreement" means the Company Trademark
Collateral Security Agreement and Conditional Assignment dated as of August 4,
1995, executed and delivered by Company, as supplemented by the delivery of
additional schedules relating to Hines II on the Closing Date, as such Company
Trademark Collateral Security Agreement and Conditional Assignment may be
further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit VI annexed hereto delivered to Agent and Lenders by Company pursuant
   ----------
to subsection 6.1(iv).

          "Consolidated Average Debt" means, as at any date of determination,
the aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness of Company and its
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

provided that for purposes of calculating the amount of such Indebtedness
--------
derived from Working Capital Revolving Loans, the average of such outstanding
Working Capital Revolving Loans as of the last day of each month over a rolling
twelve-month period shall be used.

          "Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, the sum of
the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration
or accrued as a liability and including that portion of Capital Leases which is
capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries)
by Company and its Subsidiaries during that period that, in conformity with
GAAP, are included in "additions to property, plant or equipment" or comparable
items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of Company and its
Subsidiaries; provided that, (a) in connection with the purchase or other
              --------
acquisition of any asset (the "Replacement Asset") by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries substantially concurrently with the sale of, or pursuant to an
exchange for or trade-in of, any existing asset of Company or such Subsidiary of
like kind and character (which, in the case of a Real Property Asset, shall be
located within a 30-mile radius of the Replacement Asset) (the

                                       12
<PAGE>

"Replaced Asset"), there shall be included in Consolidated Capital Expenditures
only the excess, if any, of the gross purchase price of the Replacement Asset
over the credit given by the seller of the Replacement Asset for the trade-in or
exchange of the Replaced Asset or the amount of proceeds received from the sale
of the Replaced Asset, as the case may be, and (b) in connection with the
purchase, repair or other acquisition of any asset by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries with insurance proceeds received by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in respect of the actual or constructive loss of any similar asset,
there shall be included in Consolidated Capital Expenditures only the excess of
the gross amount of the purchase price over the amount of such insurance
proceeds.

          "Consolidated Cash Interest Expense" means, for any period,
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period excluding, however, any interest
                                              ---------  -------
expense not payable in Cash (including amortization of discount and amortization
of debt issuance costs).

          "Consolidated Current Assets" means, as at any date of determination,
the total assets of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which
may properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP, excluding
Cash and Cash Equivalents.

          "Consolidated Current Liabilities" means, as at any date of
determination, the total liabilities of Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis which may properly be classified as current liabilities in
conformity with GAAP, excluding the current portion of any Indebtedness,
                      ---------
including without limitation outstanding Working Capital Revolving Loans to the
extent included in Consolidated Current Liabilities.

          "Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, the sum of the amounts
for such period of (i) Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (iii) provisions for taxes based on income, (iv) total depreciation
expense, (v) total amortization expense, and (vi) other non-cash items reducing
Consolidated Net Income excluding any such charges constituting an extraordinary
item or loss or any such charge which requires an accrual of or a reserve for
cash charges for any future period less other non-cash items increasing
                                   ----
Consolidated Net Income, all of the foregoing as determined on a consolidated
basis for Company and its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

          "Consolidated Excess Cash Flow" means, for any period, an amount equal
to (i) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (a) the
sum of Consolidated EBITDA and non-cash extraordinary losses which are expected
to have a cash impact on Company's financial statements during the term of this
Agreement, and (b) the Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment minus (ii) the
                                                               -----
sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (a) voluntary and
scheduled repayments of Indebtedness (excluding repayments of Working Capital
Revolving Loans except to the extent the Working Capital Revolving Loan
Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments and
excluding repayments of the Acquisition Loans prior to the Acquisition Loan
Conversion Date), (b) Consolidated Capital Expenditures (net of any proceeds of
any related financings with respect to such expenditures), (c) Consolidated Cash
Interest Expense, and (d) the provision for current taxes based on income of
Company and its Subsidiaries and payable in cash with respect to such period.

                                       13
<PAGE>

          "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, total interest
expense (including that portion attributable to Capital Leases in accordance
with GAAP and capitalized interest) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Company and
its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and
other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers'
acceptance financing and net costs under Interest Rate Agreements, but

excluding, however, any amounts referred to in subsection 2.3 payable to Agent
---------  -------
and Lenders on or before the Closing Date.

          "Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means as at any date of determination,
the ratio of Consolidated Average Debt as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter
immediately preceding the Fiscal Quarter in which such date of determination
occurs to Consolidated EBITDA for the four Fiscal Quarters ending as of such
last day of such immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter; provided that with
                                                       --------
respect to the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, to the extent
that during the period for which compliance is being determined, Company or any
Subsidiary of Company has made an acquisition permitted under subsection 7.7(v)
or has disposed of any assets or operations in an amount for any such
transaction or series of related transactions exceeding $250,000, such
calculations shall be made as if such acquisition or such disposition took place
on the first day of such period on a pro forma basis (such pro forma adjustments
                                     --- -----             --- -----
being calculated in accordance with Regulation S-X of the Securities and
Exchange Commission), and such calculations shall be made after giving effect to
the incurrence, assumption or repayment of any Indebtedness made in connection
with such acquisition or disposition.

          "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (or
loss) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period
taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP; provided
                                                                        --------
that there shall be excluded (i) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than
a Subsidiary of Company) in which any other Person (other than Company or any of
its Subsidiaries) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of
dividends or other distributions actually paid to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries by such Person during such period, (ii) the income (or loss) of any
Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Company or is merged
into or consolidated with Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person's
assets are acquired by Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the income of
any Subsidiary of Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at
the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to that Subsidiary, (iv) any after-tax gains or losses attributable
to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets of any Pension Plan, and (v) (to the
extent not included in clauses (i) through (iv) above) any net extraordinary
gains or net non-cash extraordinary losses which non-cash extraordinary losses
are not expected to have a cash impact on Company's financial statements during
the term of this Agreement.

          "Consolidated Net Worth" means, as at any date of determination, the
sum of the capital stock and additional paid-in capital plus retained earnings
(or minus accumulated deficits) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis determined in conformity with GAAP.

                                       14
<PAGE>

          "Consolidated Rental Payments" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of all rents paid or payable by Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis during that period under all Capital Leases and Operating
Leases to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as lessee.

          "Consolidated Working Capital" means, as at any date of determination,
the excess of Consolidated Current Assets over Consolidated Current Liabilities.

          "Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment" means, for any period on a
consolidated basis, the amount (which may be a negative number) by which the
Consolidated Working Capital of Company and its Subsidiaries as of the beginning
of such period exceeds (or is less than) the Consolidated Working Capital of
Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period.

          "Contingent Obligation", as applied to any Person, means any direct or
indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person (i) with respect to
any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another if the primary
purpose or intent thereof by the Person incurring the Contingent Obligation is
to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation of another that such
obligation of another will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements
relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such obligation
will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof, (ii)
with respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as
to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings, or (iii)
under Hedge Agreements.  Contingent Obligations shall include (a) the direct or
indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with
recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (b) the obligation to make
take-or-pay or similar payments if required regardless of non-performance by any
other party or parties to an agreement, and (c) any liability of such Person for
the obligation of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (X) to
purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security
therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation
(whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions
or otherwise) or (Y) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level
of income or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement
described under subclauses (X) or (Y) of this sentence, the primary purpose or
intent thereof is as described in the preceding sentence.  The amount of any
Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so
guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if less, the amount to which such
Contingent Obligation is specifically limited.

          "Contractual Obligation", as applied to any Person, means any
provision of any Security issued by that Person or of any material indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to
which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or
to which it or any of its properties is subject.

          "Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency
swap agreement, futures contract, option contract, synthetic cap or other
similar agreement or arrangement.

                                       15
<PAGE>

          "DB Canada"  has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction
to this Agreement.

          "Documentation Agent" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.

          "Deposit Account" means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like
account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like
organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of
deposit.

          "Dollar Equivalents" means Dollars or, with respect to any amount of
Canadian Dollars, an equivalent amount of Dollars determined at the rate of
exchange quoted by Agent in New York City, at 9:00 A.M. (New York time) on the
date of determination, to prime banks in New York City for the spot purchase in
the New York foreign exchange market of Dollars with Canadian Dollars.

          "Dollars" and the sign "$" mean the lawful money of the United States
of America.

          "Domestic Commitments" means the Revolving Loan Commitments or the
Domestic Term Loan Commitments or both.

          "Domestic Funding and Payment Office" means (i) the office of Agent
and Swing Line Lender located at One Bankers Trust Plaza, New York, New York
10006 or (ii) such other office of Agent and Swing Line Lender as may from time
to time hereafter be designated as such in a written notice delivered by Agent
to Borrowers and each Domestic Lender.

          "Domestic Lenders" means any Lenders having Domestic Commitments or,
on and after the termination of the Domestic Commitments, having Domestic Loans
outstanding.

          "Domestic Loans" means the Acquisition Loans, the Working Capital
Revolving Loans or the Domestic Term Loans or any combination thereof.

          "Domestic Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of Company that is
incorporated or organized under the laws of a state of the United States of
America.

          "Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor" means any Domestic Subsidiary of
Company that executes and delivers a counterpart of the Domestic Subsidiary
Guaranty on the Closing Date or from time to time thereafter pursuant to
subsection 6.9A.

          "Domestic Subsidiary Guaranty" means the Amended and Restated Domestic
Subsidiary Guaranty executed and delivered by Sun Gro Horticulture on the
Closing Date or to be executed and delivered by Domestic Subsidiaries from time
to time after the Closing Date in accordance with subsection 6.9A, substantially
in the form of Exhibit XXVI annexed hereto, as such Domestic Subsidiary Guaranty
               ------------
may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
and "Domestic Subsidiary Guaranties" means all such Amended and Restated
Domestic Subsidiary Guaranties, collectively.

                                       16
<PAGE>

          "Domestic Subsidiary Patent Security Agreement" means each Domestic
Subsidiary Patent Collateral Assignment and Security Agreement to be executed
and delivered by Domestic Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in
accordance with subsection 6.9A, substantially in the form of Exhibit XXV
                                                              -----------
annexed hereto, as such Domestic Subsidiary Patent Collateral Security
Agreements may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
and "Domestic Subsidiary Patent Security Agreements" means all such Domestic
Subsidiary Patent Collateral Assignment and Security Agreements, collectively.

          "Domestic Subsidiary Pledge Agreement" means the Domestic Subsidiary
Pledge Agreement dated as of August 4, 1995, executed and delivered by Sun Gro
Horticulture or each Domestic Subsidiary Pledge Agreement to be executed and
delivered by Domestic Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in accordance
with subsection 6.9A, substantially in the form of Exhibit XXIII annexed hereto,
                                                   -------------
as such Domestic Subsidiary Pledge Agreements may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, and "Domestic Subsidiary Pledge
Agreements" means all such Domestic Subsidiary Pledge Agreements, collectively.

          "Domestic Subsidiary Security Agreement" means the Domestic Subsidiary
Security Agreement dated as of August 4, 1995, executed and delivered by Sun Gro
Horticulture, as supplemented by the delivery of additional schedules relating
to Lakeland U.S., Inc., Black Gold, Inc. and Pacific Soil Company on the Closing
Date or each Domestic Subsidiary Security Agreement to be executed and delivered
by Domestic Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in accordance with
subsection 6.9A, substantially in the form of Exhibit XXII annexed hereto, as
                                              ------------
such Domestic Subsidiary Security Agreements may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, and "Domestic Subsidiary Security
Agreements" means all such Domestic Subsidiary Security Agreements,
collectively.

          "Domestic Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement" means the Domestic
Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreement and Conditional Assignment
dated as of August 4, 1995, executed and delivered by Sun Gro Horticulture, as
supplemented by the delivery of additional schedules relating to Lakeland U.S.,
Inc., Black Gold, Inc. and Pacific Soil Company on the Closing Date or each
Domestic Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreement to be executed and
delivered by Domestic Subsidiaries from time to time thereafter in accordance
with subsection 6.9A, substantially in the form of Exhibit XXIV annexed hereto,
                                                   ------------
as such Domestic Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreement may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and "Domestic
Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements" means all such Domestic Subsidiary
Trademark Collateral Security Agreement and Conditional Assignment and Domestic
Subsidiary Trademark Collateral Security Agreements, collectively.

          "Domestic Term Loan Commitment" means the commitment of a Domestic
Lender to purchase Domestic Term Loans pursuant to the Master Assignment
Agreement or to make Domestic Term Loans to Company pursuant to subsection
2.1A(i), and "Domestic Term Loan Commitments" means such commitments of all
Domestic Lenders in the aggregate.

          "Domestic Term Loan Exposure" means, with respect to any Domestic
Lender as of any date of determination (i) prior to the funding of the Domestic
Term Loans, that

                                       17
<PAGE>

Lender's Domestic Term Loan Commitment and (ii) after the funding of the
Domestic Term Loans, the outstanding principal amount of the Domestic Term Loan
of that Lender.

          "Domestic Term Loans" means the Term Loans purchased or made by
Domestic Lenders to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i).

          "Domestic Term Notes" means (i) the promissory notes of Company issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1E(i)(a) on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory
notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 10.1B(i) in
connection with assignments of the Domestic Term Loan Commitments or Domestic
Term Loans of any Lenders, in each case substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-
                                                                     ----------
A annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
-
from time to time.

          "Eligible Assignee" means (A) (i) a commercial bank organized under
the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) a savings and loan
association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other
country or a political subdivision thereof; provided that (x) such bank is
                                            --------
acting through a branch or agency located in the United States or (y) such bank
is organized under the laws of a country that is a member of the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development or a political subdivision of such
country; and (iv) any other entity which is an "accredited investor" (as defined
in Regulation D under the Securities Act) which extends credit or buys loans as
one of its businesses including insurance companies, mutual funds, lease
financing companies and investment funds and any Affiliated Funds; and (B) any
Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender or any Affiliated Fund of any Lender;

provided that no Affiliate of Company shall be an Eligible Assignee.
--------

          "Employee Benefit Plan" means any "employee benefit plan" as defined
in Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was maintained or contributed to by
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

          "Environmental Claim" means any investigation, notice, notice of
violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other
order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any governmental authority or
any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in connection with any actual or
alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (ii) in connection with any
Hazardous Materials or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity, or
(iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to
health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

          "Environmental Laws" means any and all current or future statutes,
ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, guidance documents, judgments,
Governmental Authorizations, or any other requirements of governmental
authorities relating to (i) environmental matters, including those relating to
any Hazardous Materials Activity, (ii) the generation, use, storage,
transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials, or (iii) occupational safety
and health, industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or
animal health or welfare, in any manner applicable to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Facility, including the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 9601 et seq.), the
                                                              -- ---
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. (S) 1801 et seq.), the
                                                           -- ---
Resource

                                       18
<PAGE>

Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 6901 et seq.), the Federal Water
                                                  -- ---
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. (S) 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
                                          -- ---
(S) 7401 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. (S) 2601 et
         -- ---                                                         --
seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. (S)136
---
et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. (S) 651 et seq.),
-- ---                                                              -- ---
the Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. (S) 2701 et seq) and the Emergency Planning and
                                          -- ---
Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 11001 et seq.), each as amended or
                                                 -- ---
supplemented, any analogous present or future state or local statutes or laws,
and any regulations promulgated pursuant to any of the foregoing.

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

          "ERISA Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, (i) any corporation
which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member;
(ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a
group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section
414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; and (iii)
any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m)
or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation
described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii)
above is a member.  Any former ERISA Affiliate of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Company or
such Subsidiary within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period
such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Company or such Subsidiary and with
respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Company or such
Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

          "ERISA Event" means (i) a "reportable event" within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any
Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for 30-day notice to the
PBGC has been waived by regulation); (ii) the failure to meet the minimum
funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any
Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required
installment under Section 412(m) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to
any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a
Multiemployer Plan; (iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan
pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such
plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the
withdrawal by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the
termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability pursuant to Section
4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (v) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to
terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which
might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment
of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (vi) the imposition of liability
on Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of
Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) the withdrawal of Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or
partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from
any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the
receipt by Company,

                                       19
<PAGE>

any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice
from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or insolvency pursuant
to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to terminate or has
terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (viii) the occurrence of an act
or omission which could give rise to the imposition on Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of fines, penalties,
taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal Revenue Code or under
Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of
any Employee Benefit Plan; (ix) the assertion of a material claim (other than
routine claims for benefits) against any Employee Benefit Plan other than a
Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any
Employee Benefit Plan; (x) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice
of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended
to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust
forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under
Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (xi) the imposition of a Lien
pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code or
pursuant to ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

          "Eurodollar Rate Loans" means Loans bearing interest at rates
determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate as provided in
subsection 2.2A.

          "Event of Default" means each of the events set forth in Section 8.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, and any successor statute.

          "Existing Letters of Credit" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 3.1D.

          "Existing Pledge and Collateral Agreement" means each of (a) that
certain Pledge and Collateral Assignment Agreement dated as of October 2, 1995,
executed by Company in favor of BTCo, as assigned from BTCC, as amended by that
certain First Amendment to Pledge and Collateral Assignment Agreement dated as
of November 14, 1996, and that certain Second Amendment to Pledge and Collateral
Assignment Agreement dated as of March 26, 1997, and (b) that certain Pledge and
Collateral Assignment Agreement dated as of November 14, 1996, executed by
Company in favor of BTCo, as assignee from BTCC, as amended by that certain
First Amendment to Pledge and Collateral Assignment Agreement dated as of March
26, 1997.

          "Facilities"  means any and all real property (including all
buildings, fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or
heretofore owned, leased, operated or used by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates.

          "Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of
the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding

                                       20
<PAGE>

Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not
so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations
for such day on such transactions received by Agent from three Federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by Agent.

          "Fee Property" means a Real Property Asset consisting of a fee
interest in real property.

          "Financial Plan" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
6.1(xiii).

          "First Amendment" means the First Amendment to Credit Agreement and
Consent dated as of March 3, 2000, by and among Borrowers, Lenders, Syndication
Agent, Documentation Agent, Canadian Agent and Agent.

          "First Amendment Effective Date" means March 3, 2000, the date on
which the First Amendment became effective in accordance with its terms.

          "First Priority" means, with respect to any Lien purported to be
created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that (i) such
Lien has priority over any other Lien (other than Prior Liens) on such
Collateral and (ii) such Lien is the only Lien (other than Permitted
Encumbrances) to which such Collateral is subject.

          "Fiscal Quarter" means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

          "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of Company and its Subsidiaries
ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

          "Flood Hazard Property" means a Mortgaged Property located in an area
designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or
mud slide hazards.

          "Funding Date" means the date of the funding of a Loan.

          "GAAP" means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof
set forth in subsection 1.2, generally accepted accounting principles set forth
in opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other
statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of
the accounting profession, in each case as the same are applicable to the
circumstances as of the date of determination.

          "Governmental Authorization" means any permit, license, authorization,
plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any federal, state
or local governmental authority, agency or court.

          "Guaranties" means the Holdings Guaranty, the Company Guaranty, the
Domestic Subsidiary Guaranty and the Canadian Subsidiary Guaranty.

          "Harris" has the meaning assigned to it in the introduction to this
Agreement.

                                       21
<PAGE>

          "Hazardous Materials" means (i) any chemical, material or substance at
any time defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances",
"hazardous wastes", "hazardous materials", "extremely hazardous waste", acutely
hazardous waste", "radioactive waste", "biohazardous waste", "pollutant", "toxic
pollutant", "contaminant", "restricted hazardous waste", "infectious waste",
"toxic substances",  or any other term or expression intended to define, list or
classify substances by reason of properties harmful to health, safety or the
indoor or outdoor environment (including harmful properties such as
ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, toxicity, reproductive
toxicity, "TCLP toxicity" or "EP toxicity" or words of similar import under any
applicable Environmental Laws); (ii) any oil, petroleum, petroleum fraction or
petroleum derived substance; (iii) any drilling fluids, produced waters and
other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude
oil, natural gas or geothermal resources; (iv) any flammable substances or
explosives; (v) any radioactive materials; (vi) any asbestos-containing
materials; (vii) urea formaldehyde foam insulation; (viii) electrical equipment
which contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls;
(ix) pesticides; and (x) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to
which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or which
may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the owners, occupants or
any Persons in the vicinity of any Facility or to the indoor or outdoor
environment.

          "Hazardous Materials Activity" means any past, current, proposed or
threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials,
including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence,
existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement,
generation, transportation, processing, construction, treatment, abatement,
removal, remediation, disposal, disposition or handling of any Hazardous
Materials, and any corrective action or response action with respect to any of
the foregoing.

          "Hedge Agreements" means an Interest Rate Agreement or a Currency
Agreement designed to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates or currency
values, respectively.

          "Hines I Existing Credit Agreement" has the meaning assigned to it in
the introduction to this Agreement.

          "Hines II Existing Credit Agreement" has the meaning assigned to it in
the introduction to this Agreement.

          "Holdings" means Hines Horticulture, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the
successor by merger to Hines Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation.

          "Holdings Common Stock" means the common stock of Holdings, par value
$.01 per share.

          "Holdings Guaranty" means the Amended and Restated Holdings Guaranty
executed and delivered by Holdings on the Closing Date, substantially in the
form of Exhibit XV annexed hereto, as such Holdings Guaranty may thereafter be
        ----------
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                                       22
<PAGE>

          "Holdings Pledge Agreement" means the Holdings Pledge Agreement dated
as of August 4, 1995, executed and delivered by Holdings, as amended by a First
Amendment dated as of November 7, 1997, and a Second Amendment dated as of
December 16, 1997, as such Holdings Pledge Agreement may be further amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Indebtedness", as applied to any Person, means (i) all indebtedness
for borrowed money, (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital
Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in
conformity with GAAP, (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing
extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money,
(iv) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of
property or services (excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA),
which purchase price is (a) due more than six months from the date of incurrence
of the obligation in respect thereof or (b) evidenced by a note or similar
written instrument, and (v) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property
or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness
secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the
credit of that Person.  Obligations under Hedge Agreements constitute Contingent
Obligations and not Indebtedness.

          "Indemnitee" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 10.3.

          "Insolvency Event" means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence
of any of the events described in subsection 8.6 or 8.7; provided that, solely
                                                         --------
for purposes of this definition, any references to any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in subsection 8.6 or 8.7 shall be deemed to be a reference to such
Person.

          "Insolvency Laws" means the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and
Insolvency Act (Canada), the Company Creditors' Arrangement Act (Canada), the
Winding-Up Act (Canada) or any comparable law of Canada or any other applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect in the United
States of America or any state thereof or Canada or any province thereof.

          "Intellectual Property" means all patents, trademarks, tradenames,
copyrights, technology, know-how and processes used in or necessary for the
conduct of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted
that are material to the condition (financial or otherwise), business or
operations of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          "Interest Payment Date" means (i) with respect to any Base Rate Loan
or any Canadian Base Rate Loan, each June 30, September 30, December 31 or March
31, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and (ii)
with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan or any Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan,
the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan; provided that in
                                                              --------
the case of each Interest Period of six months "Interest Payment Date" shall
also include the date that is three months after the commencement of such
Interest Period.

          "Interest Period" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
2.2B.

                                       23
<PAGE>

          "Interest Rate Agreement" means any interest rate swap agreement,
interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar
agreement or arrangement.

          "Interest Rate Determination Date" means, with respect to any Interest
Period, the second Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

          "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor
statute.

          "Inventory" means, with respect to any Person as of any date of
determination, all goods, merchandise and other personal property which are then
held by such Person for sale or lease, including raw materials and work in
process.

          "Investment" means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other
acquisition by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial
interest in, any Securities of any other Person (other than a Person that prior
to such purchase or acquisition was a wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of
Company), (ii) any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase or other
acquisition for value, by any Subsidiary of Company from any Person other than
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, of any equity Securities of such Subsidiary,
or (iii) any direct or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees
for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar
expenditures in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any other Person other than a wholly-owned
Domestic Subsidiary of Company, including all indebtedness and accounts
receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise
from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business.  The amount
of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of
                                                                ----
all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in
value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

          "IP Collateral" means, collectively, the Collateral under the Company
Patent Security Agreement, the Company Trademark Security Agreement, the
Subsidiary Patent Security Agreements and the Subsidiary Trademark Security
Agreements.

          "Issuing Lender" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, BTCo or
any other Lender which agrees or is otherwise obligated to issue such Letter of
Credit, determined as provided in subsection 3.1A(v); provided that any Issuing
                                                      --------
Lender may be an Affiliate of BTCo (including, without limitation, Deutsche Bank
AG, New York Branch) so long as (i) BTCo is a Lender under this Agreement and
(ii) such Affiliate shall have executed a counterpart of this Agreement on or
prior to the date of any issuance of any Letter of Credit by such Affiliate.

          "Joint Venture" means a joint venture, partnership or other similar
arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form; provided
                                                                    --------
that in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to
be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.

          "Lakeland Canada" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.

                                       24
<PAGE>

          "Lakeland Canada Term Loan Commitment" means the commitment of a
Canadian Lender to purchase Lakeland Canada Term Loans pursuant to the Master
Assignment Agreement or to make new Lakeland Canada Term Loans to Lakeland
Canada pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii), and "Lakeland Canada Term Loan
Commitments" means such commitments of all Canadian Lenders in the aggregate.

          "Lakeland Canada Term Loans" means the Term Loans purchased or made by
Canadian Lenders to Lakeland Canada pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii).

          "Lender" and "Lenders" means the persons identified as "Lenders" and
listed on the signature pages of this Agreement, together with their successors
and permitted assigns pursuant to subsection 10.1, and the term "Lenders" shall
include Swing Line Lender unless the context otherwise requires; provided that
                                                                 --------
the term "Lenders", when used in the context of a particular Commitment, shall
mean Lenders having that Commitment.

          "Letter of Credit" or "Letters of Credit" means Standby Letters of
Credit issued or to be issued by Issuing Lenders for the account of Company
pursuant to subsection 3.1.

          "Letter of Credit Usage" means, as at any date of determination, the
sum of (i) the maximum aggregate amount which is or at any time thereafter may
become available for drawing under all Letters of Credit then outstanding plus
                                                                          ----
(ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by
Issuing Lenders and not theretofore reimbursed by Company.  For purposes of this
definition, any amount described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence
which is denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be valued in Dollar Equivalents
as of the applicable date of determination.

          "Lien" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security
interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any
agreement to give any security interest) and any option, trust or other
preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing.

          "Loan" or "Loans" means one or more of the Term Loans, Revolving Loans
or Swing Line Loans or any combination thereof.

          "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of
Credit (and any applications for, or reimbursement agreements or other documents
or certificates executed by Company in favor of an Issuing Lender relating to,
the Letters of Credit), the Guaranties, any Interest Rate Agreements with a
Lender or any of its Affiliates, the Collateral Documents and, solely for
purposes of the use of the term "Loan Documents" in the definition of
"Obligations", the Currency Agreements to which any Lender or any of its
Affiliates is a party.

          "Loan Party" means each of the Borrowers and Guarantors and "Loan
Parties" means all such Persons, collectively.

          "Margin Stock" has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation U
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time
to time.

                                       25
<PAGE>

          "Master Assignment Agreement" means that certain Master Assignment
Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit XIV annexed hereto, among Hines
                                       -----------
Nurseries, Inc., Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd., the financial institutions
listed on the signature pages thereof, Bankers Trust Company, as administrative
agent, Deutsche Bank Canada, as Canadian administrative agent, pursuant to which
all lenders holding outstanding Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments under
the Credit Agreement prior to the First Amendment Effective Date assign their
Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments to the Agent, and Agent assigns to
each Lender on the First Amendment Effective Date, and each such lender
purchases from Agent, the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments as set
forth on Schedule 2.1 attached to this Agreement.
         ------------

          "Material Adverse Effect" means (i) a material adverse effect upon the
business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the impairment
of the ability of any Loan Party to perform, or of Agent or Lenders to enforce,
the Obligations, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the value of the
Collateral or the amount which Agent or Lenders would be likely to receive
(after giving consideration to delays in payment and costs of enforcement) in
the liquidation of the Collateral.

          "Material Contract" means any contract or other arrangement to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (other than the Loan Documents)
for which breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew could have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          "Material Leasehold" means a Real Property Asset consisting of a
leasehold interest in an Operating Lease or a Capital Lease which is reasonably
determined by Agent to be of material value as collateral for the Obligations.

          "MDCP" means Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership.

          "Mortgage" means an instrument (whether designated as a deed of trust,
a trust deed or a mortgage or by any similar title) executed and delivered by
any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries encumbering a Fee Property or a Material
Leasehold, as such instrument may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, and "Mortgages" means all such instruments, including any
Additional Mortgages (as defined in subsection 6.10A), collectively.

          "Multiemployer Plan" means any Employee Benefit Plan which is a
"multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

          "Net Asset Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, Cash
payments (including any Cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or
by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so
received) received from such Asset Sale, net of any bona fide direct costs
incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (i) income taxes
reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of such
Asset Sale as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale
and (ii) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if
any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by
a Lien on the stock or assets in

                                       26
<PAGE>

question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result
of such Asset Sale; provided that, in connection with the sale of any existing
                    --------
asset (the "Replaced Asset") by Company or any of its Subsidiaries substantially
concurrently with the purchase of a replacement asset by Company or such
Subsidiary of like kind and character (which, in the case of a Real Property
Asset, shall be located within a 30-mile radius of the Replacement Asset) (the
"Replacement Asset"), there shall be included in Net Cash Proceeds only the
excess, if any, of the Net Cash Proceeds received for the Replaced Asset
(calculated without giving effect to this proviso) over the purchase price of
the Replacement Asset.

          "Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds" means any Cash payments or
proceeds received by Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) under any business
interruption or casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss
thereunder or (ii) as a result of the taking of any assets of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain,
condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a
purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, in each case net of any
actual and reasonable documented costs incurred by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any claims of
Company or such Subsidiary in respect thereof.

          "Notes" means one or more of the Domestic Term Notes, the Tranche B
Term Notes, the Canadian Term Notes, the Acquisition Notes, the Working Capital
Revolving Notes or Swing Line Note or any combination thereof.

          "Notice of Borrowing" means a notice substantially in the form of

Exhibit I annexed hereto delivered by a Borrower to Agent pursuant to subsection
---------
2.1B with respect to a proposed borrowing.

          "Notice of Commencement of Clean Down Period" means a notice
substantially in the form of Exhibit V annexed hereto delivered by Company to
                             ---------
Agent pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv) with respect to the commencement of each
clean down period with respect to outstanding Working Capital Revolving Loans
and Swing Line Loans.

          "Notice of Conversion/Continuation" means a notice substantially in
the form of Exhibit II annexed hereto delivered by a Borrower to Agent pursuant
            ----------
to subsection 2.2D with respect to a proposed conversion or continuation of the
applicable basis for determining the interest rate with respect to the Loans
specified therein.

          "Obligations" means all obligations of every nature of each Loan Party
from time to time owed to Agent, Lenders or any of them under the Loan
Documents, whether for principal, interest (including interest accruing on or
after the occurrence of an Insolvency Event), reimbursement of amounts drawn
under Letters of Credit, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.

          "Officers' Certificate" means, as applied to any corporation, a
certificate executed on behalf of such corporation by its chairman of the board
(if an officer) or its president or one of its vice presidents and by its chief
financial officer or its treasurer; provided that every Officers' Certificate
                                    --------
with respect to the compliance with a condition precedent to the making of any
Loans hereunder shall include  (i) a statement that the officer or officers
making or giving

                                       27
<PAGE>

such Officers' Certificate have read such condition and any definitions or other
provisions contained in this Agreement relating thereto, (ii) a statement that,
in the opinion of the signers, they have made or have caused to be made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable them to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such condition has been complied with, and
(iii) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of the signers, such condition
has been complied with.

          "Operating Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease
(including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) that is not a Capital Lease other
than any such lease under which that Person is the lessor.

          "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.

          "Pension Plan" means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a
Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code
or Section 302 of ERISA.

          "Permitted Encumbrances" means the following types of Liens (excluding
any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal
Revenue Code or by ERISA, any such Lien relating to or imposed in connection
with any Environmental Claim, and any such Lien expressly prohibited by any
applicable terms of any of the Collateral Documents):

          (i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims
          the payment of which is not, at the time, required by subsection 6.3;

          (ii) statutory Liens of landlords, statutory Liens of banks and rights
          of set-off, statutory Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
          repairmen, workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law, in
          each case incurred in the ordinary course of business (a) for amounts
          not yet overdue or (b) for amounts that are overdue and that (in the
          case of any such amounts overdue for a period in excess of 5 days) are
          being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as
          (1) such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
          required by GAAP shall have been made for any such contested amounts,
          and (2) in the case of a Lien with respect to any portion of the
          Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay the
          sale of any portion of the Collateral on account of such Lien;

          (iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
          business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
          insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the
          performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal
          bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts,
          performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations
          (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money), so long
          as no foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have been commenced
          with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof;

          (iv) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event of
          Default under subsection 8.8;

                                       28
<PAGE>

          (v) leases or subleases granted to third parties in accordance with
          any applicable terms of the Collateral Documents and not interfering
          in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries or resulting in a material
          diminution in the value of any Collateral as security for the
          Obligations;

          (vi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, and other
          minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not
          and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary
          conduct of the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
          result in a material diminution in the value of any Collateral as
          security for the Obligations;

          (vii) any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any
          lease permitted by subsection 7.9, (b) restriction or encumbrance that
          the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to,
          or (c) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under
          such lease to any restriction or encumbrance referred to in the
          preceding clause (b), so long as the holder of such restriction or
          encumbrance agrees to recognize the rights of such lessee or sublessee
          under such lease;

          (viii) Liens arising from filing UCC financing statements relating
          solely to leases permitted by this Agreement;

          (ix) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
          matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with
          the importation of goods;

          (x) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any
          governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any
          real property;

          (xi) Liens securing obligations (other than obligations representing
          Indebtedness for borrowed money) under operating, reciprocal easement
          or similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business
          of Company and its Subsidiaries; and

          (xii) licenses of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property
          rights granted by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
          course of business and not interfering in any material respect with
          the ordinary conduct of the business of Company or such Subsidiary.

          "Person" means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited
partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited
liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations,
companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other
organizations, whether or not legal entities, and governments (whether federal,
state or local, domestic or foreign, and including political subdivisions
thereof) and agencies or other administrative or regulatory bodies thereof.

                                       29
<PAGE>

          "Pledged Collateral" means, collectively, the "Pledged Collateral" as
defined in the Holdings Pledge Agreement, the Company Pledge Agreement and the
Subsidiary Pledge Agreements.

          "Potential Event of Default" means a condition or event that, after
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

          "PPSA" means the Personal Property Security Act or any other statute
pertaining to the creation, perfection or priority of security interests in any
collateral, in each case as in effect in any Canadian province.

          "Prime Rate" means the rate that BTCo announces from time to time as
its prime lending rate in the United States for Dollar denominated loans, as in
effect from time to time. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not
necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer.
BTCo or any other Lender may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of
interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

          "Prior Liens" means Permitted Encumbrances, but only to the extent
that the law or regulation creating or authorizing such Lien provides that such
Lien must be superior to the Lien and security interest created and evidenced by
the Collateral Documents.

          "Pro Rata Share" means (i) with respect to all payments, computations
and other matters relating to the Domestic Term Loan Commitment or the Domestic
Term Loan of any Domestic Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the
                                                             --------
Domestic Term Loan Exposure of that Domestic Lender by (y) the aggregate
                                                    --
Domestic Term Loan Exposure of all Domestic Lenders, (ii) with respect to all
payments, computations and other matters relating to the Acquisition Revolving
Loan Commitment or the Acquisition Loan Exposure of any Domestic Lender, the
percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Acquisition Loan Exposure of that
                       --------
Domestic Lender by (y) the aggregate Acquisition Loan Exposure of all Domestic
                --
Lenders, (iii) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters
relating to the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment or the Working Capital
Revolving Loans of any Domestic Lender or any Letters of Credit issued or
participations therein purchased by any Domestic Lender, the percentage obtained
by dividing (x) the Working Capital Revolving Loan Exposure of that Domestic
   --------
Lender by (y) the aggregate Working Capital Revolving Loan Exposure of all
       --
Domestic Lenders, (iv) with respect to all payments, computations and other
matters relating to the Canadian Term Loan Commitment or the Canadian Term Loan
of any Canadian Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Canadian
                                                   --------
Term Loan Exposure of that Canadian Lender by (y) the aggregate Canadian Term
                                           --
Loan Exposure of all Canadian Lenders, (v) with respect to all payments,
computations and other matters relating to the Tranche B Term Loan Commitment or
the Tranche B Term Loan of any Tranche B Term Loan Lender, the percentage
obtained by dividing (x) the Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of that Tranche B Term
            --------
Loan Lender by (y) the aggregate Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of all Tranche B
            --
Term Loan Lenders, and (vi) for all other purposes with respect to each Lender,
the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the sum of the Domestic Term Loan
                           --------
Exposure of that Lender plus the Acquisition Loan Exposure of that Lender plus
                        ----                                              ----
the Working Capital Revolving Loan Exposure of that Lender plus the Canadian
                                                           ----
Term Loan Exposure of that Lender plus the Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of that
                                  ----
Lender by (y) the sum of the aggregate Domestic Term Loan Exposure of all
       --
Lenders plus the aggregate
        ----

                                       30
<PAGE>

Acquisition Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the aggregate Working Capital
                                         ----
Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the aggregate Canadian Term Loan
                                       ----
Exposure of all Lenders, plus the aggregate Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of all
                         ----
Lenders, in any such case as the applicable percentage may be adjusted by
assignments permitted pursuant to subsection 10.1. The initial Pro Rata Share of
each Lender for purposes of each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi)
of the preceding sentence is set forth opposite the name of that Lender in
Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto.
------------

          "PTO" means the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any
successor or substitute office in which filings are necessary or, in the opinion
of Agent, desirable in order to create or perfect Liens on any IP Collateral.

          "Real Property Assets" means all real property from time to time owned
in fee by any Loan Party and all rights, title and interest in and to any and
all leases of real property as to which any Loan Party has a leasehold interest,
including without limitation any such fee or leasehold interests acquired by any
Loan Party after the date hereof.

          "Recorded Leasehold Interest" means a Leasehold Property with respect
to which a Record Document (as hereinafter defined) has been recorded in all
places necessary or desirable, in Agent's reasonable judgment, to give
constructive notice of such Leasehold Property to third-party purchasers and
encumbrancers of the affected real property.  For purposes of this definition,
the term "Record Document" means, with respect to any Leasehold Property, (a)
the lease evidencing such Leasehold Property or a memorandum thereof, executed
and acknowledged by the owner of the affected real property, as lessor, or (b)
if such Leasehold Property was acquired or subleased from the holder of a
Recorded Leasehold Interest, the applicable assignment or sublease document,
executed and acknowledged by such holder, in each case in form sufficient to
give such constructive notice upon recordation and otherwise in form reasonably
satisfactory to Agent.

          "Refunded Swing Line Loans" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 2.1A(v).

          "Register" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.1D.

          "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

          "Reimbursement Date" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 3.3B.

          "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,
pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping,
leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into the indoor or outdoor
environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or
other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Materials), including the
movement of any Hazardous Materials through the air, soil, surface water or
groundwater.

                                       31
<PAGE>

          "Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit" means a notice
substantially in the form of Exhibit III annexed hereto delivered by Company to
                             -----------
Agent pursuant to subsection 3.1A(iv) with respect to the proposed issuance of a
Letter of Credit.

          "Requirement of Law" means (a) the certificates or articles of
incorporation, by-laws and other organizational or governing documents of a
Person, (b) any law, treaty, rule, regulation or determination of an arbitrator,
court or other governmental authority, or (c) any franchise, license, lease,
permit, certificate, authorization, qualification, easement, right of way, right
or approval binding on a Person or any of its property.

          "Requisite Class Lenders" means, at any time of determination (i) for
the Class of Lenders consisting of Domestic Term Loan Lenders, Domestic Term
Loan Lenders having or holding more than 66-2/3% of the aggregate Domestic Term
Loan Exposure of all Domestic Term Loan Lenders, (ii) for the Class of Lenders
consisting of Acquisition Loan Lenders, Acquisition Loan Lenders having or
holding more than 66-2/3% of the aggregate Acquisition Loan Exposure of all
Acquisition Loan Lenders, (iii) for the Class of Lenders consisting of Working
Capital Revolving Loan Lenders, Working Capital Revolving Loan Lenders having or
holding more than 66-2/3% of the aggregate Working Capital Revolving Loan
Exposure of all Working Capital Revolving Loan Lenders, (iv) for the Class of
Lenders consisting of Canadian Lenders, Canadian Lenders having or holding more
than 66-2/3% of the aggregate Canadian Term Loan Exposure of all Canadian
Lenders and (v) for the Class of Lenders consisting of Tranche B Term Loan
Lenders, Tranche B Term Loan Lenders having or holding more than 66-2/3% of the
aggregate Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of all Tranche B Term Loan Lenders.

          "Requisite Lenders" means Lenders having or holding 51% or more of the
sum of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the aggregate
                                                       ----
Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

          "Restricted Junior Payment" means (i) any dividend or other
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of stock
of Company now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in
shares of that class of stock to the holders of that class, (ii) any redemption,
retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for
value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of stock of Company now or
hereafter outstanding, (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the
surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire
shares of any class of stock of Company now or hereafter outstanding, and (iv)
any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or
redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal
defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated
Indebtedness.

          "Revolving Loan Commitment" means the Acquisition Revolving Loan
Commitment or Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment or any combination
thereof.

          "Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date" means June 30, 2003.

          "Revolving Loan Exposure" means the Acquisition Loan Exposure and the
Working Capital Revolving Loan Exposure or any combination thereof.

                                       32
<PAGE>

          "Revolving Loans" means Acquisition Loans and Working Capital
Revolving Loans or any combination thereof.

          "Revolving Notes" means the Acquisition Notes and the Working Capital
Revolving Notes or any combination thereof.

          "Securities" means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting
trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-
sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes,
or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible,
subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as
"securities" or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in
temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any
right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time, and any successor statute.

          "Solvent" means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of
determination both (A) (i) the then fair saleable value of the property of such
Person is (y) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent
liabilities) of such Person and (z) not less than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liabilities on such Person's then existing debts as
they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and
potential asset sales reasonably available to such Person; (ii) such Person's
capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business or any
contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) such Person does not intend to
incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts
beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and (B) such Person is
"solvent" within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable
laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances.  For purposes of this
definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed
as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at
such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an
actual or matured liability.

          "Standby Letter of Credit" means any standby letter of credit or
similar instrument issued for the purpose of supporting (i) Indebtedness of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of industrial revenue or
development bonds or financings, (ii) workers' compensation liabilities of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the obligations of third party
insurers of Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising by virtue of the laws of
any jurisdiction requiring third party insurers, (iv) obligations with respect
to Capital Leases or Operating Leases of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and
(v) performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, in any case if required by law or governmental rule or regulation
or in accordance with custom and practice in the industry; provided that Standby
                                                           --------
Letters of Credit may not be issued for the purpose of supporting (a) trade
payables or (b) any Indebtedness constituting "antecedent debt" (as that term is
used in Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code).

          "Subordinated Indebtedness" means (i) the Indebtedness of Company
evidenced by the Subordinated Notes and (ii) any other Indebtedness of Company
subordinated

                                       33
<PAGE>

in right of payment to the Obligations pursuant to documentation containing
maturities, amortization schedules, covenants, defaults, remedies, subordination
provisions and other material terms in form and substance satisfactory to Agent
and Requisite Lenders.

          "Subordinated Note Indenture" means the indenture dated as of October
19, 1995 between Company, as issuer, Holdings and Sun Gro Horticulture, Inc.,
and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as Trustee.

          "Subordinated Notes" means Company's $120,000,000 in initial aggregate
principal amount of 11-3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005.

          "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other
business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether
directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions)
having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof.

          "Sun Gro Canada" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.

          "Sun Gro Canada Term Loan Commitment" means the commitment of a
Canadian Lender to purchase Sun Gro Canada Term Loans pursuant to the Master
Assignment Agreement or to make new Sun Gro Canada Term Loans to Sun Gro Canada
pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii), and "Sun Gro Canada Term Loan Commitments"
means such commitments of all Canadian Lenders in the aggregate.

          "Sun Gro Canada Term Loans" means the Term Loans purchased or made by
Canadian Lenders to Sun Gro Canada pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii).

          "Sun Gro Horticulture" means Sun Gro Horticulture, Inc., a Nevada
corporation.

          "Swing Line Lender" means BTCo, or any Person serving as a successor
Agent hereunder, in its capacity as Swing Line Lender hereunder.

          "Swing Line Loan Commitment" means the commitment of Swing Line Lender
to make Swing Line Loans to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(v).

          "Swing Line Loans" means the Loans made by Swing Line Lender to
Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(v).

          "Swing Line Note" means (i) the promissory note of Company issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1E(iii) on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory
note issued by Company to any successor Agent and Swing Line Lender pursuant to
the last sentence of subsection 9.5B, in each

                                       34
<PAGE>

case substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-E annexed hereto, as it may be
                                  ------------
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Syndication Agent" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.

          "Tax" or "Taxes" means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty,
charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and whatever called, by
whomsoever, on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed; provided that "Tax on the overall net income" of a Person shall be
          --------
construed as a reference to a tax imposed by the jurisdiction in which that
Person is organized or in which that Person's principal office (and/or, in the
case of a Lender, its lending office) is located or in which that Person
(and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is deemed to be doing
business on all or part of the net income, profits or gains (whether worldwide,
or only insofar as such income, profits or gains are considered to arise in or
to relate to a particular jurisdiction, or otherwise) of that Person (and/or, in
the case of a Lender, its lending office).

          "Term Loan Exposure" means the Domestic Term Loan Exposure, the
Tranche B Term Loan Exposure and the Canadian Term Loan Exposure or any
combination thereof.

          "Term Loans"  means the Domestic Term Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans,
or Canadian Term Loans or any combination thereof.

          "Term Notes" means the Domestic Term Notes, the Tranche B Term Notes,
and the Canadian Term Notes or any combination thereof.

          "Term Loan Commitment"  means the Domestic Term Loan Commitment, the
Tranche B Term Loan Commitment, and the Canadian Term Loan Commitment or any
combination thereof.

          "Total Utilization of Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments"
means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal
amount of all outstanding Working Capital Revolving Loans (other than Working
Capital Revolving Loans made for the purpose of repaying any Refunded Swing Line
Loans or reimbursing the applicable Issuing Lender for any amount drawn under
any Letter of Credit but not yet so applied) plus (ii) the aggregate principal
                                             ----
amount of all outstanding Swing Line Loans plus (iii) the Letter of Credit
                                           ----
Usage.

          "Tranche B Term Loan Commitment" means the commitment of a Tranche B
Term Loan Lender to make a Tranche B Term Loan to Company pursuant to subsection
2.1A(vi) on the First Amendment Effective Date, and "Tranche B Term Loan
Commitments" means such commitments of all Tranche B Term Loan Lenders in the
aggregate.

          "Tranche B Term Loan Exposure" means, with respect to any Tranche B
Term Loan Lender as of any date of determination (i) prior to the termination of
the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments, that Lender's Tranche B Term Loan
Commitment and (ii) after the termination of the Tranche B Term Loan
Commitments, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B Term
Loan of that Lender.

                                       35
<PAGE>

          "Tranche B Term Loans" means the Loans made by Tranche B Term Loan
Lenders to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(vi).

          "Tranche B Term Loan Lender" means any Lender having Tranche B Term
Loan Commitments or, after termination of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments,
having Tranche B Term Loans outstanding.

          "Tranche B Term Notes" means (i) the promissory notes of Company
issued pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 2.1E on the First Amendment
Effective Date and (ii) any promissory notes issued by Company pursuant to the
last sentence of subsection 10.1B(i) in connection with assignments of the
                            --------
Tranche B Term Loan Commitments or Tranche B Term Loans of any Lenders, in each
case substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-F annexed hereto, as they may be
                                  ------------
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Transactions" means the repayment of approximately $15,500,000 in
existing mortgage indebtedness of the Company, the redemption of up to
$42,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes and the
reduction in Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under this Agreement
from that outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreements, in each case from
the application of the proceeds of Company's initial public offering and the
increase in Term Loans under this Agreement.

          "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent
legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

          "Weyerhaeuser Deeds of Trust" means those certain deeds of trust
encumbering the Company's Fee Property located in Vacaville, California, and a
200-acre parcel of the Company's Fee Property located in Houston, Texas, in
favor of Weyerhaeuser Corporation.

          "Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment" means the commitment of a
Domestic Lender to purchase Working Capital Revolving Loans pursuant to the
Master Assignment Agreement or to make Working Capital Revolving Loans to
Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv), and "Working Capital Revolving Loan
Commitments" means such commitments of all Domestic Lenders in the aggregate.

          "Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment Increase" means the
$15,000,000 increase in the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments which
became effective on the First Amendment Effective Date."

          "Working Capital Revolving Loan Exposure" means, with respect to any
Domestic Lender as of any date of determination (i) prior to the termination of
the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments, that Domestic Lender's Working
Capital Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii) after the termination of the Working
Capital Revolving Loan Commitments, the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the Working Capital Revolving Loans of that Domestic Lender.

          "Working Capital Revolving Loans" means the Loans purchased or made by
Domestic Lenders to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv).

                                       36
<PAGE>

          "Working Capital Revolving Notes" means (i) the promissory notes of
Company issued pursuant to subsection 2.1E(i)(c) on the Closing Date or pursuant
to the last sentence of subsection 2.1E on the First Amendment Effective Date
and (ii) any promissory notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of
subsection 10.1B (i) in connection with assignments of the Working Capital
Revolving Loan Commitments and Working Capital Revolving Loans of any Domestic
Lenders, in each case substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-C annexed hereto,
                                                   ------------
as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

1.2  Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of Calculations Under
     Agreement.

          Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all
accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
to them in conformity with GAAP.  Financial statements and other information
required to be delivered by Company to Lenders pursuant to clauses (i), (ii),
(iii) and (xiii) of subsection 6.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as
in effect at the time of such preparation (and delivered together with the
reconciliation statements provided for in subsection 6.1(v)).  Calculations in
connection with the definitions, covenants and other provisions of this
Agreement shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity with
those used to prepare the financial statements referred to in subsections 4.1K
and 5.3.

1.3  Other Definitional Provisions and Rules of Construction.

          A.  Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise
requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference.

          B.  References to "Sections" and "subsections" shall be to Sections
and subsections, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically
provided.

          C.  The use in any of the Loan Documents of the word "include" or
"including", when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be
construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or
matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or
matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as "without limitation" or
"but not limited to" or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto,
but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall
within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.

Section 2.  AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.1  Commitments; Making of Loans; the Register; Notes.

          A.  Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of each Borrower herein
set forth, each Domestic Lender hereby severally agrees to purchase or to make
the Loans described in subsections 2.1A(i), 2.1A(iii) and 2.1A(iv), each Tranche
B Term Loan Lender hereby severally agrees to make the Loans described in
subsection 2.1A(vi), each Canadian Lender hereby

                                       37
<PAGE>

severally agrees to purchase or to make the Loans described in subsection
2.1A(ii) and Swing Line Lender hereby agrees to make the Loans described in
subsection 2.1A(v).

          (i) Domestic Term Loans. Each Domestic Lender severally agrees to
              -------------------
          purchase under the Master Assignment Agreement or to lend to Company
          on the Closing Date an amount not exceeding its Pro Rata Share of the
          aggregate amount of the Domestic Term Loan Commitments to be used for
          the purposes identified in subsection 2.5A. The amount of each
          Lender's Domestic Term Loan Commitment is set forth opposite its name
          on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate amount of the
             ------------
          Domestic Term Loan Commitments is $30,000,000; provided that the
                                                         --------
          Domestic Term Loan Commitments of Domestic Lenders shall be adjusted
          to give effect to any assignments of the Domestic Term Loan
          Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B. Each Lender's Domestic Term
          Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and without further action on
          July 31, 1998 if the Domestic Term Loans are not purchased or made on
          or before that date. Company may make only one borrowing under the
          Domestic Term Loan Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this subsection
          2.1A(i) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

          (ii) Canadian Term Loans. Each Canadian Lender severally agrees to
               -------------------
          purchase under the Master Assignment Agreement or to lend to Sun Gro
          Canada and to Lakeland Canada, respectively, on the Closing Date an
          amount in Dollars not exceeding its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate
          amount of the Sun Gro Term Loan Commitment and the Lakeland Canada
          Term Loan Commitment to be used for the purposes identified in
          subsection 2.5A. The amount of each Canadian Lender's Sun Gro Term
          Loan Commitment and Lakeland Canada Term Loan Commitment is set forth
          opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate
                               ------------
          amount of the Sun Gro Term Loan Commitments is $15,000,000 and of the
          Lakeland Canada Term Loan Commitments is $5,000,000, respectively;
          provided that the Canadian Term Loan Commitments of Canadian Lenders
          --------
          shall be adjusted to give effect to any assignments of the Canadian
          Term Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B. Each Canadian
          Lender's Canadian Term Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and
          without further action on July 31, 1998 if the Canadian Term Loans are
          not purchased or made on or before that date. Each Canadian Borrower
          may make only one borrowing under the Canadian Term Loan Commitments.
          Amounts borrowed under this subsection 2.1A(ii) and subsequently
          repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

          (iii) Acquisition Loans. Each Domestic Lender severally agrees,
                -----------------
          subject to the limitations set forth below with respect to the maximum
          amount of Acquisition Loans permitted to be outstanding from time to
          time, to lend to Company from time to time during the period from the
          Closing Date to but excluding the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date an
          aggregate amount not exceeding its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate
          amount of the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments to be used for
          the purposes identified in subsection 2.5B. The original amount of
          each Lender's Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitment is set forth
          opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate
                               ------------
          original

                                       38
<PAGE>

          amount of the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments is $100,000,000;
          provided that the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments of Lenders
          --------
          shall be adjusted to give effect to any assignments of the Acquisition
          Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B; and provided,
                                                                       --------
          further that the amount of the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments
          -------
          shall be reduced from time to time by the amount of any reductions
          thereto made pursuant to subsections 2.4A(ii), 2.4B(ii) and 2.4B(iii).
          Each Lender's Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitment shall expire on
          the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date; provided that each Lender's
                                                --------
          Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and
          without further action on July 31, 1998 if the Domestic Term Loans are
          not purchased or made on or before that date. Amounts borrowed under
          this subsection 2.1A(iii) may be repaid and reborrowed to but
          excluding the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date.

          Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
          prior to the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, the Acquisition Loans
          shall in no event exceed the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments
          then in effect.

          (iv) Working Capital Revolving Loans. Each Lender severally agrees,
               -------------------------------
          subject to the limitations set forth below with respect to the maximum
          amount of Working Capital Revolving Loans permitted to be outstanding
          from time to time, to lend to Company from time to time during the
          period from the Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Loan
          Commitment Termination Date an aggregate amount not exceeding its Pro
          Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the Working Capital Revolving
          Loan Commitments to be used for the purposes identified in subsection
          2.5C. The amount of each Lender's Working Capital Revolving Loan
          Commitment as of the First Amendment Effective Date is set forth
          opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate
                               ------------
          amount of the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments as of the
          First Amendment Effective Date is $115,000,000; provided that the
                                                          --------
          Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments of Lenders shall be
          adjusted to give effect to any assignments of the Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B; and provided,
                                                                       --------
          further that the amount of the Working Capital Revolving Loan
          -------
          Commitments shall be reduced from time to time by the amount of any
          reductions thereto made pursuant to subsections 2.4B(ii) and
          2.4B(iii). Each Lender's Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment
          shall expire on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and all
          Working Capital Revolving Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder
          with respect to the Working Capital Revolving Loans and the Working
          Capital Revolving Loan Commitments shall be paid in full no later than
          that date; provided that each Lender's Working Capital Revolving Loan
                     --------
          Commitment shall expire immediately and without further action on July
          31, 1998 if the Domestic Term Loans are not purchased or made on or
          before that date. Amounts borrowed under this subsection 2.1A(iv) may
          be repaid and reborrowed to but excluding the Revolving Loan
          Commitment Termination Date.

                                       39
<PAGE>

          Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
          the Working Capital Revolving Loans and the Working Capital Revolving
          Loan Commitments shall be subject to the limitation that

              (a) in no event shall the Total Utilization of Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments at any time exceed the Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect; and

              (b) for sixty consecutive days commencing with the date specified
          by Company for the commencement of such clean down period in a Notice
          of Commencement of Clean Down Period delivered to Agent on or prior to
          such commencement date, the Company shall not have outstanding Working
          Capital Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans during any of the periods
          set forth below in excess of the correlative amount indicated:

                    Fiscal Year 2000             $20,000,000
                    and thereafter

          (v) Swing Line Loans. Swing Line Lender hereby agrees, subject to the
              ----------------
          limitations set forth below with respect to the maximum amount of
          Swing Line Loans permitted to be outstanding from time to time, to
          make a portion of the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments
          available to Company from time to time during the period from the
          Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment
          Termination Date by making Swing Line Loans to Company in an aggregate
          amount not exceeding the amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment to
          be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5C,
          notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated
          with Swing Line Lender's outstanding Working Capital Revolving Loans
          and Swing Line Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Usage
          then in effect, may exceed Swing Line Lender's Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitment. The original amount of the Swing Line Loan
          Commitment is $5,000,000; provided that any reduction of the Working
                                    --------
          Capital Revolving Loan Commitments made pursuant to subsection
          2.4B(ii) or 2.4B(iii) which reduces the aggregate Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments to an amount less than the then current
          amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment shall result in an automatic
          corresponding reduction of the Swing Line Loan Commitment to the
          amount of the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments, as so
          reduced, without any further action on the part of Company, Agent or
          Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Loan Commitment shall expire on the
          Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and all Swing Line Loans
          and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Swing Line
          Loans shall be paid in full no later than that date; provided that the
                                                               --------
          Swing Line Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and without
          further action on July 31, 1998 if the Domestic Term Loans are not
          purchased or made on or before that date. Amounts borrowed under this
          subsection 2.1A(v) may be repaid and reborrowed to but excluding the
          Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date.

                                       40
<PAGE>

          Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
          the Swing Line Loans and the Swing Line Loan Commitment shall be
          subject to the limitation that

              (a) in no event shall the outstanding Swing Line Loans exceed the
          Swing Line Loan Commitment then in effect;

              (b) in no event shall the Total Utilization of Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments at any time exceed the Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect; and

              (c) for sixty consecutive days commencing with the date specified
          by Company for the commencement of such clean down period in a Notice
          of Commencement of Clean Down Period delivered to Agent on or prior to
          such commencement date, the Company shall not have outstanding Working
          Capital Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans during any of the periods
          set forth below in excess of the correlative amount indicated:

                    Fiscal Year 2000             $20,000,000
                    and thereafter

          With respect to any Swing Line Loans which have not been voluntarily
          prepaid by Company pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i), Swing Line Lender
          may, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, deliver to Agent
          (with a copy to Company), no later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City
          time) on the first Business Day in advance of the proposed Funding
          Date, a notice (which shall be deemed to be a Notice of Borrowing
          given by Company) requesting Lenders to make Working Capital Revolving
          Loans that are Base Rate Loans on such Funding Date in an amount equal
          to the amount of such Swing Line Loans (the "Refunded Swing Line
          Loans") outstanding on the date such notice is given which Swing Line
          Lender requests Lenders to prepay.  Anything contained in this
          Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) the proceeds of such
          Working Capital Revolving Loans made by Lenders other than Swing Line
          Lender shall be immediately delivered by Agent to Swing Line Lender
          (and not to Company) and applied to repay a corresponding portion of
          the Refunded Swing Line Loans and (ii) on the day such Working Capital
          Revolving Loans are made, Swing Line Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
          Refunded Swing Line Loans shall be deemed to be paid with the proceeds
          of a Working Capital Revolving Loan made by Swing Line Lender, and
          such portion of the Swing Line Loans deemed to be so paid shall no
          longer be outstanding as Swing Line Loans and shall no longer be due
          under the Swing Line Note of Swing Line Lender but shall instead
          constitute part of Swing Line Lender's outstanding Working Capital
          Revolving Loans and shall be due under the Working Capital Revolving
          Note of Swing Line Lender.  Company hereby authorizes Agent and Swing
          Line Lender to charge Company's accounts with Agent and Swing Line
          Lender (up to the amount available in each such account) in order to
          immediately pay Swing Line Lender the amount of the Refunded

                                       41
<PAGE>

          Swing Line Loans to the extent the proceeds of such Working Capital
          Revolving Loans made by Lenders, including the Working Capital
          Revolving Loan deemed to be made by Swing Line Lender, are not
          sufficient to repay in full the Refunded Swing Line Loans. If any
          portion of any such amount paid (or deemed to be paid) to Swing Line
          Lender should be recovered by or on behalf of Company from Swing Line
          Lender in bankruptcy, by assignment for the benefit of creditors or
          otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared
          among all Lenders in the manner contemplated by subsection 10.6.

          If for any reason (a) Working Capital Revolving Loans are not made
          upon the request of Swing Line Lender as provided in the immediately
          preceding paragraph in an amount sufficient to repay any amounts owed
          to Swing Line Lender in respect of any outstanding Swing Line Loans or
          (b) the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments are terminated at a
          time when any Swing Line Loans are outstanding, each Lender shall be
          deemed to, and hereby agrees to, have purchased a participation in
          such outstanding Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to its Pro Rata
          Share (calculated, in the case of the foregoing clause (b),
          immediately prior to such termination of the Working Capital Revolving
          Loan Commitments) of the unpaid amount of such Swing Line Loans
          together with accrued interest thereon.  Upon one Business Day's
          notice from Swing Line Lender, each Lender shall deliver to Swing Line
          Lender an amount equal to its respective participation in same day
          funds at the Funding and Payment Office.  In order to further evidence
          such participation (and without prejudice to the effectiveness of the
          participation provisions set forth above), each Lender agrees to enter
          into a separate participation agreement at the request of Swing Line
          Lender in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Swing Line
          Lender and such Lender.  In the event any Lender fails to make
          available to Swing Line Lender the amount of such Lender's
          participation as provided in this paragraph, Swing Line Lender shall
          be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together
          with interest thereon at the rate customarily used by Swing Line
          Lender for the correction of errors among banks for three Business
          Days and thereafter at the Base Rate.  In the event Swing Line Lender
          receives a payment of any amount in which other Lenders have purchased
          participations as provided in this paragraph, Swing Line Lender shall
          promptly distribute to each such other Lender its Pro Rata Share of
          such payment.

          Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each
          Lender's obligation to make Working Capital Revolving Loans for the
          purpose of repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans pursuant to the
          second preceding paragraph and each Lender's obligation to purchase a
          participation in any unpaid Swing Line Loans pursuant to the
          immediately preceding paragraph shall be absolute and unconditional
          and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (a) any set-
          off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such
          Lender may have against Swing Line Lender, Company or any other Person
          for any reason whatsoever; (b) the occurrence or continuation of an
          Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default; (c) any adverse
          change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition
          (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Company or

                                       42
<PAGE>

          any of its Subsidiaries; (d) any breach of this Agreement or any other
          Loan Document by any party thereto; or (e) any other circumstance,
          happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the
          foregoing; provided that such obligations of each Lender are subject
          to the condition that (X) Swing Line Lender believed in good faith
          that all conditions under Section 4 to the making of the applicable
          Refunded Swing Line Loans or other unpaid Swing Line Loans, as the
          case may be, were satisfied at the time such Refunded Swing Line Loans
          or unpaid Swing Line Loans were made or (Y) the satisfaction of any
          such condition not satisfied had been waived in accordance with
          subsection 10.6 prior to or at the time such Refunded Swing Line Loans
          or other unpaid Swing Line Loans were made.

          (vi) Each Tranche B Term Loan Lender severally agrees to lend to
          Company on the First Amendment Effective Date an amount not exceeding
          its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the Tranche B Term Loan
          Commitments to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5E.
          The amount of each Tranche B Term Loan Lender's Tranche B Term Loan
          Commitment is set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed
                                                       ------------
          hereto and the aggregate amount of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments
          is $100,000,000; provided that the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments of
                           --------
          Tranche B Term Loan Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any
          assignments of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments pursuant to
          subsection 10.1B. Company may make only one borrowing under the
          Tranche B Term Loan Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this
          subsection 2.1A(vi) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be
          reborrowed.

          B.  Borrowing Mechanics. Term Loans or Revolving Loans made on any
Funding Date (other than Working Capital Revolving Loans made pursuant to a
request by Swing Line Lender pursuant to subsection 2.1A(v) for the purpose of
repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans or Working Capital Revolving Loans made
pursuant to subsection 3.3B for the purpose of reimbursing any Issuing Lender
for the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by it) shall be in
an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in
excess of that amount; provided Revolving Loans made on any Funding Date as
                       --------
Eurodollar Rate Loans or Term Loans made on any Funding Date as Eurodollar Rate
Loans or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans, as the case may be, with a particular
Interest Period shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and
integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount. Swing Line Loans made
on any Funding Date shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and
integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount. Whenever any Borrower
desires that Lenders make Term Loans or Revolving Loans it shall deliver to
Agent a Notice of Borrowing no later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) at
least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Funding Date (in the case
of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as the case may be)
or no later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) at least one Business Day in
advance of the proposed Funding Date (in the case of a Base Rate Loan) or no
later than 12:00 Noon (Toronto time) at least one Business Day in advance of the
proposed Funding Date (in the case of a Canadian Base Rate Loan). Whenever
Company desires that Swing Line Lender make a Swing Line Loan, it shall deliver
to Agent a Notice of Borrowing no later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on
the proposed Funding Date. The Notice of Borrowing shall specify (i) the
proposed Borrower, (ii) the proposed

                                       43
<PAGE>

Funding Date (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the amount and type of Loans
requested, (iv) in the case of Loans made on the Closing Date, that such Loans
shall be Base Rate Loans or Canadian Base Rate Loans, as applicable, (v) in the
case of Revolving Loans not made on the Closing Date, whether such Loans shall
be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans; provided that during the period
                                             --------
commencing on and including the First Amendment Effective Date and ending on the
earlier of (i) the three-month anniversary of the First Amendment Effective Date
and (ii) the date on which Agent sends notice to Company indicating that
Lenders' primary syndication with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans and
Working Capital Revolving Loans has been concluded, Company may only request
Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans with an Interest Period of one month
with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans and the Working Capital Revolving
Loans, (vi) in the case of any Loans requested to be made as Eurodollar Rate
Loans, the initial Interest Period requested therefor, (vii) in the case of
Acquisition Loans prior to the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, that, after
giving effect to the requested Loans, the Acquisition Loans will not exceed the
Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments, (viii) in the case of Working Capital
Revolving Loans, that, after giving effect to the requested Loans, the Total
Utilization of Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments will not exceed the
Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments and (ix) that after giving effect to
the requested Loans, that Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as
that term is defined in the Subordinated Note Indenture) will be greater than
2.25 to 1.00. Domestic Term Loans, Tranche B Term Loans and Revolving Loans may
be continued as or converted into Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Rate Loans in
the manner provided in subsection 2.2D. Canadian Term Loans may be continued as
or converted into Canadian Base Rate Loans and Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans in
the manner provided in subsection 2.2D. In lieu of delivering the above-
described Notice of Borrowing, a Borrower may give Agent telephonic notice by
the required time of any proposed borrowing under this subsection 2.1B; provided
                                                                        --------
that such notice shall be promptly confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice
of Borrowing to Agent on or before the applicable Funding Date.

          Neither Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to any Borrower
in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Agent believes in
good faith to have been given by a duly authorized officer or other person
authorized to borrow on behalf of such Borrower or for otherwise acting in good
faith under this subsection 2.1B, and upon funding of Loans by Lenders in
accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any such telephonic notice such
Borrower shall have effected Loans hereunder.

          The applicable Borrower shall notify Agent prior to the funding of any
Loans in the event that any of the matters to which such Borrower is required to
certify in the applicable Notice of Borrowing is no longer true and correct as
of the applicable Funding Date, and the acceptance by such Borrower of the
proceeds of any Loans shall constitute a re-certification by such Borrower, as
of the applicable Funding Date, as to the matters to which such Borrower is
required to certify in the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

          Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Borrowing for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan,
as the case may be, (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable
on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and the applicable
Borrower shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith.

                                       44
<PAGE>

          C.  Disbursement of Funds.

          (i) All Loans under this Agreement shall be made by Lenders
          simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata
          Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for
          any default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligation to
          make a Loan requested hereunder nor shall the Commitment of any Lender
          to make the particular type of Loan requested be increased or
          decreased as a result of a default by any other Lender in that other
          Lender's obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder.

          (ii) Promptly after receipt by Agent of a Notice of Borrowing pursuant
          to subsection 2.1B (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) for any
          Tranche B Term Loans, Agent shall notify each Tranche B Term Loan
          Lender of the proposed borrowing. Each Tranche B Term Loan Lender
          shall make the amount of its Tranche B Term Loan available to Agent,
          in same day funds in Dollars, at the Domestic Funding and Payment
          Office, not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the
          applicable Funding Date. Promptly after receipt by Agent of a Notice
          of Borrowing pursuant to subsection 2.1B (or telephonic notice in lieu
          thereof) for any Loans, Agent shall notify each Domestic Lender (in
          the case of a Domestic Loan) or each Canadian Lender (in the case of a
          Canadian Term Loan) of the proposed borrowing. Each Lender shall make
          the amount of its Loan available to Agent (in the case of a Domestic
          Loan) or Canadian Agent (in the case of a Canadian Term Loan), in same
          day funds in Dollars, at the Domestic Funding and Payment Office, not
          later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) (in the case of a Domestic
          Loan) or at the Canadian Funding and Payment Office, not later than
          12:00 Noon (Toronto time) (in the case of a Canadian Term Loan) on the
          applicable Funding Date. Except as provided in subsection 3.3B with
          respect to Working Capital Revolving Loans used to reimburse any
          Issuing Lender for the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit
          issued by it, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent
          specified in subsections 4.1 (in the case of Loans made on the Closing
          Date), 4.3 (in the case of Acquisition Loans) and, subject to the
          provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, 4.2 (in
          the case of all Loans), Agent or Canadian Agent, as the case may be,
          shall make the proceeds of such Loans available to the applicable
          Borrower on the applicable Funding Date by causing an amount of same
          day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received
          by Agent or Canadian Agent, as the case may be, from Lenders to be
          credited to the account of the applicable Borrower at the Domestic
          Funding and Payment Office or at the Canadian Funding and Payment
          Office, as applicable.

          Unless Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the
          Funding Date for any Loans that such Lender does not intend to make
          available to Agent the amount of such Lender's Loan requested on such
          Funding Date, Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount
          available to Agent on such Funding Date and Agent may, in its sole
          discretion, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the
          applicable Borrower a corresponding amount on such Funding Date.  If
          such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to

                                       45
<PAGE>

          Agent by such Lender, Agent shall be entitled to recover such
          corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest
          thereon, for each day from such Funding Date until the date such
          amount is paid to Agent, at the customary rate set by Agent for the
          correction of errors among banks for three Business Days and
          thereafter at the Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such
          corresponding amount forthwith upon Agent's demand therefor, Agent
          shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower and such Borrower shall
          immediately pay such corresponding amount to Agent together with
          interest thereon, for each day from such Funding Date until the date
          such amount is paid to Agent, at the rate payable under this Agreement
          for Base Rate Loans. Nothing in this subsection 2.1C shall be deemed
          to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments
          hereunder or to prejudice any rights that such Borrower may have
          against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender
          hereunder.

          D.  The Register.

          (i) Agent shall maintain, at its address referred to in subsection
          10.8, a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of
          Lenders and the Commitments and Loans of each Lender from time to time
          (the "Register"). The Register shall be available for inspection by
          any Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to
          time upon reasonable prior notice.

          (ii) Agent shall record in the Register the Term Loan Commitments and
          Revolving Loan Commitments and the Term Loans and Revolving Loans from
          time to time of each Lender and each repayment or prepayment in
          respect of the principal amount of the Term Loans or Revolving Loans
          of each Lender. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding
          on each Borrower and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided that
                                                                   --------
          failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such
          recordation, shall not affect Borrower's Obligations in respect of the
          applicable Loans.

          (iii) Each Lender shall record on its internal records (including,
          without limitation, the Notes held by such Lender) the amount of each
          Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof. Any such
          recordation shall be conclusive and binding on each Borrower, absent
          manifest error; provided that failure to make any such recordation, or
                          --------
          any error in such recordation, shall not affect such Borrower's
          Obligations in respect of the applicable Loans; and provided, further
                                                              --------  -------
          that in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any
          Lender's records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.

          (iv) Borrowers, Agent and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons
          listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the
          corresponding Commitments and Loans listed therein for all purposes
          hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan
          shall be effective, in each case unless and until an Assignment
          Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been
          accepted by Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in
          subsection 10.1B(ii). Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed

                                       46
<PAGE>

          with respect to the applicable Commitment or Loan shall be owed to the
          Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request,
          authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such
          request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register
          as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder,
          assignee or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Loans.

          (v) Each Borrower hereby designates BTCo to serve as such Borrower's
          agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in
          this subsection 2.1D, and each Borrower hereby agrees that, to the
          extent BTCo serves in such capacity, BTCo and its officers, directors,
          employees, agents and affiliates shall constitute Indemnitees for all
          purposes under subsection 10.3.

          E.  Notes. Company shall execute and deliver (i) to each Domestic
Lender (or to Agent for that Domestic Lender) on the Closing Date (a) a Domestic
Term Note substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-A annexed hereto to evidence
                                       ------------
that Domestic Lender's Domestic Term Loan, in the principal amount of that
Domestic Lender's Domestic Term Loan and with other appropriate insertions, (b)
an Acquisition Note substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-B annexed hereto to
                                                 ------------
evidence that Domestic Lender's Acquisition Loans, in the principal amount of
that Domestic Lender's Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitment and with other
appropriate insertions, (c) a Working Capital Revolving Note substantially in
the form of Exhibit IV-C annexed hereto to evidence that Domestic Lender's
            ------------
Working Capital Revolving Loans, in the principal amount of that Domestic
Lender's Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment and with other appropriate
insertions and (ii) to Swing Line Lender (or to Agent for Swing Line Lender) on
the Closing Date a Swing Line Note substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-E
                                                                ------------
annexed hereto to evidence Swing Line Lender's Swing Line Notes, in the
principal amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment and with other applicable
insertions. Each Canadian Borrower shall execute and deliver to each Canadian
Lender (or to Agent for that Lender) on the Closing Date, a Canadian Term Note
substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-D annexed hereto to evidence that
                             ------------
Canadian Lender's Canadian Term Loan, in the principal amount of that Canadian
Lender's Canadian Term Loan and with other appropriate insertions. Company shall
execute and deliver (i) to each Tranche B Term Loan Lender on the First
Amendment Effective Date a Tranche B Term Note substantially in the form of
Exhibit IV-F annexed hereto to evidence such Tranche B Term Loan Lender's
------------
Tranche B Term Loan, in the principal amount of that Tranche B Term Loan
Lender's Tranche B Term Loan Commitment and with other appropriate insertions
and (ii) to each Lender providing a portion of the Working Capital Revolving
Loan Commitment Increase a Working Capital Revolving Note substantially in the
form of Exhibit IV-C annexed hereto to evidence that Lender's Working Capital
        ------------
Revolving Loans, in the principal amount of that Lender's portion of the Working
Capital Revolving Loan Commitment Increase and with other appropriate
insertions.

2.2  Interest on the Loans.

          A.  Rate of Interest. Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.6 and
2.7, each Term Loan and each Revolving Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid
principal amount thereof from the date made through maturity (whether by
acceleration or otherwise) at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate or
Canadian Base Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate

                                       47
<PAGE>

or Canadian Eurodollar Rate, as the case may be. Subject to the provisions of
subsection 2.7, each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal
amount thereof from the date made through maturity (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate. The applicable
basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Term Loan or any
Revolving Loan shall be selected by the applicable Borrower initially at the
time a Notice of Borrowing is given with respect to such Loan pursuant to
subsection 2.1B, and the basis for determining the interest rate with respect to
any Term Loan or any Revolving Loan may be changed from time to time pursuant to
subsection 2.2D. If on any day a Term Loan or Revolving Loan is outstanding with
respect to which notice has not been delivered to Agent in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate
of interest, then for that day that Loan shall bear interest determined by
reference to the Base Rate or Canadian Base Rate, as the case may be.

          Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the Term Loans
and the Revolving Loans shall bear interest through maturity as follows:

          (i) if a Base Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Base Rate plus the
                                                                    ----
          Applicable Base Rate Margin;

          (ii) if a Canadian Base Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Canadian
          Base Rate plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin;
                    ----

          (iii) if a Eurodollar Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Adjusted
          Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin; or
                          ----

          (iv) if a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, then at the sum of the
          Canadian Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin.
                                   ----

          Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the Swing Line
Loans shall bear interest through maturity at the sum of the Base Rate plus the
                                                                       ----
Applicable Base Rate Margin less the applicable Commitment Fee Percentage.
                            ----

          The Applicable Base Rate Margin or the Applicable Eurodollar Rate
Margin shall be the Base Rate Margin or the Eurodollar Rate Margin, as the case
may be, set forth in the table above opposite Company's Consolidated Leverage
Ratio for the four fiscal quarters ending as of the last day of the fiscal
quarter immediately preceding the fiscal quarter during which the determination
is being made as set forth in the Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to
subsection 6.1(iv)(b), any required adjustment to become automatically effective
on the next succeeding Business Day following receipt by the Agent of such
Compliance Certificate. If Company fails to deliver a Compliance Certificate by
the time required by subsection 6.1(iv)(b), from such time the Compliance
Certificate was required to be delivered until delivery of such Compliance
Certificate, the Applicable Base Rate Margin and the Applicable Eurodollar Rate
Margin for Domestic Term Loans, Canadian Term Loans and Revolving Loans shall
automatically be adjusted to 2.00% per annum and 3.00% per annum, respectively,
and the Applicable Base Rate Margin and the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin
for Tranche B Term Loans shall automatically be adjusted to 2.25% per annum and
3.25% per annum, respectively.

                                       48
<PAGE>

          B.  Interest Periods. In connection with each Eurodollar Rate Loan or
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, the applicable Borrower may, pursuant to the
applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as the case
may be, select an interest period (each an "Interest Period") to be applicable
to such Loan, which Interest Period shall be, at such Borrower's option, either
a one, two, three or six month period provided that:
                                      --------
          (i) the initial Interest Period for any such Loan shall commence on
          the Funding Date in respect of such Loan, in the case of a Loan
          initially made as a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate
          Loan, as applicable, or on the date specified in the applicable Notice
          of Conversion/Continuation, in the case of a Loan converted to a
          Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as
          applicable;

          (ii) in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods applicable
          to a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as
          applicable, continued as such pursuant to a Notice of
          Conversion/Continuation, each successive Interest Period shall
          commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period
          expires;

          (iii) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is
          not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next
          succeeding Business Day; provided that, if any Interest Period would
                                   --------
          otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of
          the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month,
          such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

          (iv) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a
          calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
          corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
          Period) shall, subject to clause (v) of this subsection 2.2B, end on
          the last Business Day of a calendar month;

          (v) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Loans shall
          extend beyond the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date;

          (vi) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Term Loans
          of any Borrower shall extend beyond a date on which such Borrower is
          required to make a scheduled payment of principal of the Term Loans of
          such Borrower unless the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of
          Term Loans of such Borrower that are Base Rate Loans or Canadian Base
          Rate Loans, as applicable, plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of
                                     ----
          Term Loans of such Borrower that are Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian
          Eurodollar Rate Loans, as applicable, with Interest Periods expiring
          on or before such date equals or exceeds the principal amount required
          to be paid on the Term Loans of such Borrower on such date;

          (vii) there shall be no more than 15 Interest Periods outstanding at
          any time; and

                                       49
<PAGE>

          (viii) in the event a Borrower fails to specify an Interest Period for
          any Eurodollar Rate Loan or any Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as
          applicable, in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
          Conversion/Continuation, such Borrower shall be deemed to have
          selected an Interest Period of one month.

          C.  Interest Payments. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2E,
interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on and to each Interest
Payment Date applicable to that Loan, upon any prepayment of that Loan (to the
extent accrued on the amount being prepaid) and at maturity (including final
maturity); provided that in the event any Swing Line Loans or Revolving Loans
           --------
that are Base Rate Loans are prepaid pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i), interest
accrued on such Swing Line Loans or Revolving Loans through the date of such
prepayment shall be payable on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date
applicable to Base Rate Loans (or, if earlier, at final maturity).

          D.  Conversion or Continuation. Subject to the provisions of
subsection 2.6, Borrower shall have the option (i) from and after the earlier to
occur of (a) the date which is 90 days after the Closing Date and (b) the date
on which Agent notifies Borrower that the primary syndication of the Commitments
and the Loans has been completed, to convert at any time all or any part of its
outstanding Term Loans or Revolving Loans equal to $5,000,000 and integral
multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount from Loans bearing interest at a
rate determined by reference to the Base Rate or Canadian Base Rate to Loans
bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar
Rate or Canadian Eurodollar Rate, as the case may be, or (ii) upon the
expiration of any Interest Period applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as applicable, to continue all or any portion of
such Loan equal to $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of
that amount as a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as
applicable; provided, however, that a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian
            --------  -------
Eurodollar Rate Loan may only be converted into a Base Rate Loan or a Canadian
Base Rate Loan, as applicable, on the expiration date of an Interest Period
applicable thereto.

          The applicable Borrower shall deliver a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation to Agent, at least one Business Day in advance of the
proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion into a Base Rate Loan or a
Canadian Base Rate Loan) and at least three Business Days in advance of the
proposed conversion/continuation date (in the case of a conversion to, or a
continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as
applicable).  A Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall specify (i) the proposed
conversion/continuation date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount
and type of the Loan to be converted/continued, (iii) the nature of the proposed
conversion/continuation, (iv) in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation
of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, the requested
Interest Period, and (v) in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a
Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, that no Potential Event
of Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing provided that
                                                              --------
during the period commencing on and including the First Amendment Effective Date
and ending on the earlier of (i) the three-month anniversary of the First
Amendment Effective Date and (ii) the date on which Agent sends notice to
Company indicating that Agent's primary syndication with respect to the Tranche
B Term Loans and Working Capital Revolving Loans has been concluded, no Tranche
B Term Loan or Working Capital Revolving Loan may be made or continued as or
converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan

                                       50
<PAGE>

having an Interest Period of longer than one month. In lieu of delivering the
above-described Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the applicable Borrower may
give Agent telephonic notice by the required time of any proposed
conversion/continuation under this subsection 2.2D; provided that such notice
                                                    --------
shall be promptly confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation to Agent on or before the proposed
conversion/continuation date.

          Neither Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to any Borrower
in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Agent believes in
good faith to have been given by a duly authorized officer or other person
authorized to act on behalf of such Borrower or for otherwise acting in good
faith under this subsection 2.2D, and upon conversion or continuation of the
applicable basis for determining the interest rate with respect to any Loans in
accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any such telephonic notice Borrower
shall have effected a conversion or continuation, as the case may be, hereunder.

          Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Conversion/Continuation for conversion to, or continuation of, a
Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan (or telephonic notice in
lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate
Determination Date, and the applicable Borrower shall be bound to effect a
conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

          E.  Default Rate. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
any Event of Default, the outstanding principal amount of all Loans and, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments thereon not paid when
due and any fees and other amounts then due and payable hereunder, shall
thereafter bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding
under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable Insolvency Laws) payable upon
demand at a rate that is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise
payable under this Agreement with respect to Base Rate Loans or Canadian Base
Rate Loans, as applicable. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of
interest provided for in this subsection 2.2E is not a permitted alternative to
timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or
otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Agent or any Lender.

          F.  Computation of Interest. Interest on the Loans shall be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days
elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest on any
Loan, (i) the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest
Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being
converted from a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Eurodollar
Rate Loan to such Base Rate Loan or, with respect to a Canadian Base Rate Loan
being converted from a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of conversion of
such Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan to such Canadian Base Rate Loan, as the case
may be, shall be included, and (ii) the date of payment of such Loan or the
expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect
to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of
conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such Eurodollar Rate Loan or, with respect
to a Canadian Base Rate Loan being converted to a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan,
the date of conversion of such Canadian Base Rate Loan to such Canadian
Eurodollar Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided that if a
                                                             --------
Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day's interest shall be
paid on that Loan.

                                       51
<PAGE>

          G.  Canadian Interest Provisions. For purposes of the Interest Act
(Canada) and disclosure thereunder, whenever interest to be paid under this
Agreement is to be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days, the yearly
rate of interest to which the rate determined pursuant to such calculation is
equivalent to is the rate so determined multiplied by the actual number of days
                                        ---------- --
in the calendar year in which the same is to be ascertained divided by 360.
                                                            ------- --

2.3  Fees.

          A.  Commitment Fees. Company agrees to pay to Agent, for distribution
to each Domestic Lender in proportion to that Domestic Lender's Pro Rata Share
of the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments and the Acquisition Revolving
Loan Commitments, as the case may be, commitment fees (i) for the period from
and including the Closing Date to and excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date equal to the average of the daily excess of the Working Capital
Revolving Loan Commitments over the Total Utilization of Working Capital
Revolving Loan Commitments excluding any outstanding Swing Line Loans multiplied
                                                                      ----------
by the Commitment Fee Percentage, such commitment fees to be calculated on the
--
basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable
quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each
year, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on
the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and (ii) for the period from and
including the Closing Date to and excluding the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date
equal to the average of the daily excess of the Acquisition Revolving Loan
Commitments over the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Acquisition Loans
multiplied by the Commitment Fee Percentage, such commitment fees to be
---------- --
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed
and to be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 of each year, commencing on the first such date to occur after the
Closing Date, and on the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date.

          B.  Other Fees. Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to Agent
such other fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between
Borrowers and Agent.

2.4  Repayments, Prepayments and Reductions in Revolving Loan Commitments;
     General Provisions Regarding Payments.

          A.  Scheduled Payments of Term Loans and Acquisition Loans.

          (i) Scheduled Payments of Term Loans. The applicable Borrower shall
              --------------------------------
          make principal payments on the Term Loans in installments on the dates
          and in the amounts set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Date      Scheduled Repayment     Scheduled Repayment      Scheduled Repayment
                     of Domestic          of Sun Gro Canada       of Lakeland Canada
                     Term Loans              Term Loans               Term Loans
      <S>        <C>                     <C>                        <C>

      9/30/99        $  750,000              $  375,000               $  125,000

      12/31/99          750,000                 375,000                  125,000

      6/30/00         1,500,000                 750,000                  250,000

</TABLE>

                                       52
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

      <S>        <C>                     <C>                        <C>

      9/30/00         1,125,000                 562,500                  187,500

      12/31/00        1,125,000                 562,500                  187,500

      6/30/01         2,250,000               1,125,000                  375,000

      9/30/01         2,250,000               1,125,000                  375,000

      12/31/01        2,250,000               1,125,000                  375,000

      6/30/02         4,500,000               2,250,000                  750,000

      9/30/02         3,375,000               1,687,500                  562,500

      12/31/02        3,375,000               1,687,500                  562,500

      6/30/03         6,750,000               3,375,000                1,125,000
</TABLE>

          ; provided that the scheduled installments of principal of the Term
            --------
          Loans set forth above shall be reduced in connection with any
          voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the applicable Term Loans in
          accordance with subsection 2.4B(iv); and provided, further that the
                                                   --------  -------
          Term Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the
          Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than June 30, 2003, and the
          final installment payable by the applicable Borrower in respect of the
          Term Loans on such date shall be in an amount, if such amount is
          different from that specified above, sufficient to repay all amounts
          owing by such Borrower under this Agreement with respect to the Term
          Loans.

          (ii) Scheduled Payments of Acquisition Loans. The Company shall make
               ---------------------------------------
          principal payments on the Acquisition Loans in installments on the
          dates and in the amounts equal to the percentage set forth below of
          the aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Loans outstanding on
          the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date:

                                            Scheduled Repayment of
                           Date                Acquisition Loans
                           ----             ----------------------

                         9/30/00                     2.50%

                         12/31/00                    2.50%

                         6/30/01                     5.00%

                         9/30/01                     3.75%

                         12/31/01                    3.75%

                         6/30/02                     7.50%

                         9/30/02                    18.75%

                         12/31/02                   18.75%

                                       53
<PAGE>

                                            Scheduled Repayment of
                           Date                Acquisition Loans
                           ----             ----------------------

                         6/30/03                    37.50%

          ; provided that the scheduled installments of principal of the
            --------
          Acquisition Loans set forth above shall be reduced in connection with
          any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Acquisition Loans in
          accordance with subsection 2.4B(iv); and provided, further that the
                                                   --------  -------
          Acquisition Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to
          the Acquisition Loans shall be paid in full no later than June 30,
          2003, and the final installment payable by Company in respect of the
          Acquisition Loans on such date shall be in an amount, if such amount
          is different from that specified above, sufficient to repay all
          amounts owing by Company under this Agreement with respect to the
          Acquisition Loans.

          (iii) Scheduled Payments of Tranche B Term Loans. Company shall make
                ------------------------------------------
          principal payments on the Tranche B Term Loans in installments on the
          dates and in the amounts set forth below:

                                            Scheduled Repayment of
                           Date              Tranche B Term Loans
                           ----             ----------------------

                          6/30/00                $          0

                          9/30/00                           0

                         12/31/00                           0

                          6/30/01                     333,333

                          9/30/01                     333,333

                         12/31/01                     333,334

                          6/30/02                     333,333

                          9/30/02                     333,333

                         12/31/02                     333,334

                          6/30/03                     333,333

                          9/30/03                     333,333

                         12/31/03                     333,334

                          6/30/04                  15,666,666

                          9/30/04                  15,666,666

                         12/31/04                  15,666,668

                          2/28/05                  50,000,000
                                                 ------------

                                                 $100,000,000

                                       54
<PAGE>

          ; provided that the scheduled installments of principal of the Tranche
            --------
          B Term Loans set forth above shall be reduced in connection with any
          voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the applicable Tranche B Term
          Loans in accordance with subsection 2.4B(iv); and provided, further
                                                            --------  -------
          that the Tranche B Term Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder
          with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans shall be paid in full no
          later than February 28, 2005, and the final installment payable by the
          Company in respect of the Tranche B Term Loans on such date shall be
          in an amount if such amount is different from that specified above,
          sufficient to repay all amounts owing by Company under this Agreement
          with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans.

          B.  Prepayments and Unscheduled Reductions in Revolving Loan
Commitments.

          (i) Voluntary Prepayments. Company may, upon written or telephonic
          notice to Agent on or prior to 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the
          date of prepayment, which notice, if telephonic, shall be promptly
          confirmed in writing, at any time and from time to time prepay any
          Swing Line Loan on any Business Day in whole or in part in an
          aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of
          $100,000 in excess of that amount. The applicable Borrower may, upon
          not less than one Business Day's prior written or telephonic notice,
          in the case of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Base Rate Loans, and three
          Business Days' prior written or telephonic notice, in the case of
          Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case
          given to Agent by 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the date required
          and, if given by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing to Agent
          (which original written or telephonic notice Agent will promptly
          transmit by telefacsimile or telephone to the applicable Lenders), at
          any time and from time to time prepay any Term Loans or Revolving
          Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate minimum
          amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of
          that amount provided, however, that a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a
                      --------  -------
          Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan may only be prepaid on the expiration of
          the Interest Period applicable thereto. Notice of prepayment having
          been given as aforesaid, the principal amount of the Loans specified
          in such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date
          specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as
          specified in subsection 2.4B(iv).

          (ii) Voluntary Reductions of Revolving Loan Commitments. Company may,
               --------------------------------------------------
          upon not less than three Business Days' prior written or telephonic
          notice confirmed in writing to Agent (which original written or
          telephonic notice Agent will promptly transmit by telefacsimile or
          telephone to each Lender), at any time and from time to time terminate
          in whole or permanently reduce in part, without premium or penalty,
          (a) the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments in an amount up to the
          amount by which the Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments

                                       55
<PAGE>

          exceed the aggregate outstanding Acquisition Loans at the time of such
          proposed termination or reduction; and (b) the Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments in an amount up to the amount by which the
          Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments exceed the Total
          Utilization of Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments at the time
          of such proposed termination or reduction, provided that any such
                                                     --------
          partial reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be in an
          aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
          $500,000 in excess of that amount. Company's notice to Agent shall
          designate the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination
          or reduction and the amount of any partial reduction, and such
          termination or reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
          effective on the date specified in Company's notice and shall reduce
          the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Lender proportionately to its
          Pro Rata Share. Any such voluntary reduction of the Revolving Loan
          Commitments shall be applied as specified in subsection 2.4B(iv).

          (iii) Mandatory Prepayments and Mandatory Reductions of Revolving Loan
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Commitments. The Loans shall be prepaid and/or the Revolving Loan
          -----------
          Commitments shall be permanently reduced in the amounts and under the
          circumstances set forth below, all such prepayments and/or reductions
          to be applied as set forth below or as more specifically provided in
          subsection 2.4B(iv):

              (a) Prepayments and Reductions From Net Asset Sale Proceeds. No
                  -------------------------------------------------------
          later than the earlier to occur of (X) the date at which the
          applicable Borrower or its Subsidiaries determines such Net Asset Sale
          Proceeds shall not be reinvested in property or assets used in the
          business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and (Y) the first
          Business Day which is nine months after the date of receipt by any
          Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds in
          respect of any Asset Sale, such Borrower shall prepay the Loans and/or
          the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced in an
          aggregate amount equal to such Net Asset Sale Proceeds; provided that
                                                                  --------
          so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
          such Net Asset Sale Proceeds, to the extent reinvested in property or
          assets used in the business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries within
          the nine-month period, are not required to be applied to prepay the
          Loans and/or reduce the Revolving Loan Commitments under this
          subsection 2.4A(iii)(a).

              (b) Prepayments and Reductions from Net Insurance/ Condemnation
                  -----------------------------------------------------------
          Proceeds. No later than the first Business Day following the date of
          --------
          receipt by Agent or by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any
          Net Insurance/ Condemnation Proceeds that are required to be applied
          to prepay the Loans and/or reduce the Revolving Loan Commitments
          pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6.4, such Borrowers shall
          prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
          permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such
          Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds.

                                       56
<PAGE>

              (c) Prepayments and Reductions Due to Issuance of Debt Securities.
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
          On the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of the
          cash proceeds (any such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and
          commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated
          therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses, being "Net
          Debt Securities Proceeds") from the issuance of any debt Securities of
          Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness permitted
          under subsection 7.1 as in effect on the Closing Date, the Borrowers
          shall prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
          permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Debt
          Securities Proceeds.

              (d) Prepayments and Reductions Due to issuance of Holdings Equity
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
          Securities. On the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its
          ----------
          Subsidiaries (other than the cash proceeds from the initial public
          offering of Holdings Common Stock or the exercise of any over-
          allotment option in connection with such initial public offering) of
          the cash proceeds (any such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts,
          commissions and other reasonable legal fees and expenses, being "Net
          Equity Securities Proceeds") from the issuance of any equity
          securities of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, the Borrowers shall
          prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
          permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal to 75% of such Net
          Equity Securities Proceeds.

              (e) Prepayments and Reductions from Consolidated Excess Cash Flow.
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
          In the event that there shall be Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for any
          Fiscal Year, the applicable Borrower shall, no later than 90 days
          after the end of such Fiscal Year, prepay the Loans and/or the
          Revolving Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced in an
          aggregate amount equal to 50% of such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow.

              (f) Prepayments Due to Reductions or Restrictions of Revolving
                  ----------------------------------------------------------
          Loan Commitments. Company shall from time to time prepay first the
          ----------------                                         -----
          Swing Line Loans and second the Working Capital Revolving Loans to the
                               ------
          extent necessary (1) so that the Total Utilization of Working Capital
          Revolving Loan Commitments shall not at any time exceed the Working
          Capital Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect and (2) to give
          effect to the limitations set forth in clause (b) of the second
          paragraph of subsection 2.1A(iv).

          (iv) Application of Prepayments and Unscheduled Reductions of
               --------------------------------------------------------
          Revolving Loan Commitments.
          --------------------------

               (a) Application of Voluntary Prepayments by Type of Loans and
                   ---------------------------------------------------------
          Order of Maturity. Any voluntary prepayments pursuant to subsection
          -----------------
          2.4B(i) shall be applied as specified by the Borrower in the
          applicable notice of prepayment; provided that in the event Company
                                           --------
          fails to specify the Loans to which any such prepayment shall be
          applied, such prepayment shall be applied first to repay outstanding
                                                    -----
          Swing Line Loans to the full extent thereof, second to repay
                                                       ------
          outstanding Working Capital Revolving Loans to the full extent
          thereof,

                                       57
<PAGE>

          third, prior to the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, to repay
          -----
          outstanding Acquisition Loans to the full extent thereof, and fourth
                                                                        ------
          to repay outstanding Domestic Term Loans, the Canadian Term Loans, the
          Tranche B Term Loans and, after the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date,
          outstanding Acquisition Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with
          the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof). Any voluntary
          prepayments of the Term Loans and, after the Acquisition Loan
          Conversion Date, the Acquisition Loans, pursuant to subsection
          2.4(B)(i) (whether the application thereof is specified by Company or
          not) shall be applied to prepay the Domestic Term Loans, the Canadian
          Term Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans and, after the Acquisition Loan
          Conversion Date, the Acquisition Loans on a pro rata basis (in
          accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof)
          and to reduce the scheduled installments of principal of the Term
          Loans and Acquisition Loans set forth in subsection 2.4A(i), 2.4A(ii)
          and 2.4A(iii) in inverse order of maturity.

              (b) Application of Mandatory Prepayments by Type of Loans. Any
                  -----------------------------------------------------
          amount (the "Applied Amount") required to be applied as a mandatory
          prepayment of the Loans and/or a reduction of the Revolving Loan
          Commitments pursuant to subsection 2.4B(iii) shall be applied first
                                                                        -----
          (x) in the event of a prepayment pursuant to subsection 2.4B(iii)(a)
          or (b), to prepay (1) if the applicable Borrower is Company, the
          Domestic Term Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans and, after the
          Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, the Acquisition Loans on a pro rata
          basis to the full extent thereof and then to prepay the Canadian Term
          Loans to the full extent thereof, or (2) if the applicable Borrower is
          Sun Gro Canada, the Canadian Term Loans to the full extent thereof and
          then to prepay the Domestic Term Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans and,
          after the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, the Acquisition Loans on a
          pro rata basis to the full extent thereof, and (y) in the event of a
          prepayment pursuant to subsection 2.4B(iii)(c), (d) or (e), to prepay
          the Domestic Term Loans, the Canadian Term Loans, the Tranche B Term
          Loans and, after the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, the Acquisition
          Loans on a pro rata basis to the full extent thereof, second, prior to
                                                                ------
          the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, to prepay the Acquisition Loans
          to the full extent thereof but without permanently reducing the
          Acquisition Revolving Loan Commitments by the amount of such
          prepayment, third, to the extent of any remaining portion of the
                      -----
          Applied Amount, to prepay the Swing Line Loans to the full extent
          thereof without permanently reducing the Swing Line Loan Commitments
          by the amount of such prepayment, and fourth, to the extent of any
                                                ------
          remaining portion of the Applied Amount, to prepay the Working Capital
          Revolving Loans to the full extent thereof but without permanently
          reducing the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments by the amount
          of such prepayment.

              (c) Application of Mandatory Prepayments of Term Loans by Order of
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
          Maturity. Any mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans and of the
          --------
          Acquisition Loans after the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date pursuant
          to subsection 2.4B(iii) shall be applied to reduce the scheduled
          installments of principal of the Term Loans set forth in subsections
          2.4A(i) and 2.4A(iii) and of the Acquisition

                                       58
<PAGE>

          Loans set forth in subsection 2.4A(ii) in inverse order of maturity.
          In the case of any such mandatory prepayment of the Tranche B Term
          Loans with respect to which Company has given Agent written
          notification, prior to Agent's receipt of such mandatory prepayment,
          that Company has elected to give each Lender of Tranche B Term Loans
          the option to waive their rights to receive such prepayment (a
          "Waivable Mandatory Prepayment"), Agent shall, upon receipt of such
          Waivable Mandatory Prepayment, notify each Lender of Tranche B Term
          Loans of such receipt and of the amount of such Waivable Mandatory
          Prepayment to be applied to such Lender's Tranche B Term Loan and of
          the designation of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment as such by
          Company, provided further that Company shall use its reasonable
                   -------- -------
          efforts to notify Tranche B Term Loan Lenders of such Waivable
          Mandatory Prepayment three Business Days prior to the payment to Agent
          of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment (it being understood that
          Company shall have no liability for failing to so notify Tranche B
          Term Loan Lenders). In the event any Tranche B Term Loan Lender
          desires to waive such Lender's right to receive such Waivable
          Mandatory Prepayment, (A) such Lender shall so advise Agent in writing
          no later than the close of business on the date it receives such
          notice from Administrative Agent and (B) upon receipt of such written
          advice from such Lender, Agent shall apply 100% of the amount so
          waived by such Lender to prepay the Domestic Term Loans, the Canadian
          Term Loans and, after the Acquisition Loan Conversion Date, the
          Acquisition Loans on a pro rata basis to the full extent thereof.

              (d) Application of Prepayments to Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar
                  ------------------------------------------------------------
          Rate Loans. Considering Term Loans and Revolving Loans being prepaid
          ----------
          separately, any prepayment thereof shall be applied first to Base Rate
          Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Eurodollar Rate
          Loans, in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount of any
          payments required to be made by Company pursuant to subsection 2.6D.

          C.  General Provisions Regarding Payments.

          (i) Manner and Time of Payment. All payments by the applicable
              --------------------------
          Borrower of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations hereunder
          and under the Notes shall be made in Dollars in same day funds,
          without defense, setoff or counterclaim, free of any restriction or
          condition, and delivered to Agent not later than 12:00 Noon (New York
          City time) on the date due at the Domestic Funding and Payment Office
          or 12:00 Noon (Toronto Time) on the date due at the Canadian Funding
          and Payment Office, as the case may be, for the account of Lenders;
          funds received by Agent after that time on such due date shall be
          deemed to have been paid by such Borrower on the next succeeding
          Business Day. Borrowers hereby authorizes Agent to charge its accounts
          with Agent in order to cause timely payment to be made to Agent of all
          principal, interest, fees and expenses due hereunder (subject to
          sufficient funds being available in its accounts for that purpose).

                                       59
<PAGE>

          (ii) Application of Payments to Principal and Interest. Except as
               -------------------------------------------------
          provided in subsection 2.2C, all payments in respect of the principal
          amount of any Loan shall include payment of accrued interest on the
          principal amount being repaid or prepaid, and all such payments (and,
          in any event, any payments in respect of any Loan on a date when
          interest is due and payable with respect to such Loan) shall be
          applied to the payment of interest before application to principal.

          (iii) Apportionment of Payments. Aggregate principal and interest
                -------------------------
          payments in respect of Term Loans and Revolving Loans shall be
          apportioned among all outstanding Loans to which such payments relate,
          in each case proportionately to Lenders' respective Pro Rata Shares.
          Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender, at its primary address
          set forth below its name on the appropriate signature page hereof or
          at such other address as such Lender may request, its Pro Rata Share
          of all such payments received by Agent and the commitment fees of such
          Lender when received by Agent pursuant to subsection 2.3.
          Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection 2.4C(iii),
          if, pursuant to the provisions of subsection 2.6C, any Notice of
          Conversion/Continuation is withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if
          any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans or Canadian Base Rate Loans
          in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian
          Eurodollar Rate Loans, as the case may be, Agent shall give effect
          thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

          (iv) Payments on Business Days. Whenever any payment to be made
               -------------------------
          hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business
          Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day
          and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the
          payment of interest hereunder or of the commitment fees hereunder, as
          the case may be.

          (v) Notation of Payment. Each Lender agrees that before disposing of
              -------------------
          any Note held by it, or any part thereof (other than by granting
          participations therein), that Lender will make a notation thereon of
          all Loans evidenced by that Note and all principal payments previously
          made thereon and of the date to which interest thereon has been paid;
          provided that the failure to make (or any error in the making of) a
          --------
          notation of any Loan made under such Note shall not limit or otherwise
          affect the obligations of Company hereunder or under such Note with
          respect to any Loan or any payments of principal or interest on such
          Note.

          D.  Application of Proceeds of Collateral and Payments Under
Guaranties.

          (i) Application of Proceeds of Collateral. Except as provided in
              -------------------------------------
          subsection 2.4B(iii)(a) with respect to prepayments from Net Asset
          Sale Proceeds, all proceeds received by Agent in respect of any sale
          of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the
          Collateral under any Collateral Document may, in the discretion of
          Agent, be held by Agent as Collateral for, and/or (then or at any time
          thereafter) applied in full or in part by Agent against, the
          applicable

                                       60
<PAGE>

          Secured Obligations (as defined in such Collateral Document) in the
          following order of priority:

              (a) To the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale,
          collection or other realization, including reasonable compensation to
          Agent and its agents and counsel, and all other expenses, liabilities
          and advances made or incurred by Agent in connection therewith, and
          all amounts for which Agent is entitled to indemnification under such
          Collateral Document and all advances made by Agent thereunder for the
          account of the applicable Loan Party, and to the payment of all costs
          and expenses paid or incurred by Agent in connection with the exercise
          of any right or remedy under such Collateral Document, all in
          accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such Collateral
          Document;

              (b) thereafter, to the extent of any excess such proceeds, to the
          payment of all other such Secured Obligations for the ratable benefit
          of the holders thereof; and

              (c) thereafter, to the extent of any excess such proceeds, to the
          payment to or upon the order of such Loan Party or to whosoever may be
          lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent
          jurisdiction may direct.

          (ii) Application of Payments Under Guaranties. All payments received
               ----------------------------------------
          by Agent under the Subsidiary Guaranty shall be applied promptly from
          time to time by Agent in the following order of priority:

              (a) To the payment of the costs and expenses of any collection or
          other realization under such Guaranty, including reasonable
          compensation to Agent and its agents and counsel, and all expenses,
          liabilities and advances made or incurred by Agent in connection
          therewith, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such
          Guaranty;

              (b) thereafter, to the extent of any excess such payments, to the
          payment of all other Guarantied Obligations (as defined in such
          Guaranty) for the ratable benefit of the holders thereof; and

              (c) thereafter, to the extent of any excess such payments, to the
          payment to Holdings or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor or to
          whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court
          of competent jurisdiction may direct.

2.5  Use of Proceeds.

          A.  Term Loans. The proceeds of any increase in the Term Loans,
together with the proceeds of up to $19,000,000 in Acquisition Loans made on the
Closing Date (or within 45 days thereafter), if any, and up to $51,200,000 in
net proceeds from the public offering of Holdings Common Stock, will be used to
(i) prepay approximately $15,500,000 in mortgage debt, (ii) to redeem
approximately $42,000,000 in principal amount of Subordinated Notes, and (iii)
to the extent of any excess after the application of such proceeds in accordance
with the

                                       61
<PAGE>

foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), to prepay Working Capital Revolving Loans but
without any related commitment reductions.

          B.  Acquisition Loans. The proceeds of up to $19,000,000 in
Acquisition Loans made on the Closing Date (or within 45 days thereafter) will
be used for the purposes specified in subsection 2.5A. The proceeds of all other
Acquisition Loans shall be utilized to finance the acquisition of companies
and/or the assets of operations of companies, engaged in the nursery business,
the peat or potting soil or mix business or businesses related thereto.

          C.  Working Capital Revolving Loans; Swing Line Loans. The proceeds of
the Working Capital Revolving Loans and any Swing Line Loans shall be applied by
Company for working capital and general corporate purposes.

          D.  Margin Regulations. No portion of the proceeds of any borrowing
under this Agreement shall be used by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
any manner that might cause the borrowing or the application of such proceeds to
violate Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board or to violate
the Exchange Act, in each case as in effect on the date or dates of such
borrowing and such use of proceeds.

          E.  Tranche B Term Loan. The proceeds of the Tranche B Term Loan will
be used (i) to finance the $93,000,000 cash purchase price of Lovell Farms
Acquisition (as defined in the First Amendment), (ii) to pay fees and expenses
related to the Lovell Farms Acquisition in an aggregate amount of approximately
$4,200,000 and (iii) to fund working capital requirements of approximately
$2,800,000.

2.6  Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans and Canadian Eurodollar
     Rate Loans.

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary
the following provisions shall govern with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans and
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans as to the matters covered:

          A.  Determination of Applicable Interest Rate. As soon as practicable
after 10:00 A.M. (New York time or Toronto time, as the case may be) on each
Interest Rate Determination Date, Agent shall determine (which determination
shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties)
the interest rate that shall apply to the Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian
Eurodollar Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for
the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in
writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the applicable Borrower and
each Domestic Lender, each Tranche B Term Loan Lender or each Canadian Lender,
as applicable.

          B.  Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate. In the event that
Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive
and binding on all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate Determination Date with
respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans or any Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans, that
by reason of circumstances affecting the interbank Eurodollar market adequate
and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to
such Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar

                                       62
<PAGE>

Rate or Canadian Eurodollar Rate, as applicable, Agent shall on such date give
notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the applicable
Borrower and each Domestic Lender, each Tranche B Term Loan Lender or each
Canadian Lender, as applicable, of such determination, whereupon (i) no Loans
may be made as, or converted to, Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian Eurodollar
Rate Loans, as applicable, until such time as Agent notifies such Borrower and
such Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist
and (ii) any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by a
Borrower with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was
made shall be deemed to be rescinded by such Borrower.

          C.  Illegality or Impracticability of Eurodollar Rate Loans and
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans. In the event that on any date any Lender shall
have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding
upon all parties hereto but shall be made only after consultation with Company
and Agent) that the making, maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Rate
Loans or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of
compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty, governmental rule,
regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any such treaty,
governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the force of law
even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful) or (ii) has
become impracticable, or would cause such Lender material hardship, as a result
of contingencies occurring after the date of this Agreement which materially and
adversely affect the interbank Eurodollar market or the position of such Lender
in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be an "Affected
Lender" and it shall on that day give notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone
confirmed in writing) to Company and Agent of such determination (which notice
Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Thereafter (a) the
obligation of the Affected Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to,
Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans, as applicable, shall be
suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected Lender, (b) to
the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan or a Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan then being requested by a Borrower
pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the
Affected Lender shall make such Loan as (or convert such Loan to, as the case
may be) a Base Rate Loan or a Canadian Base Rate Loan, as applicable, (c) the
Affected Lender's obligation to maintain its outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans
or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans, as applicable (the "Affected Loans"), shall
be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period
then in effect with respect to the Affected Loans or when required by law, and
(d) the Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans or
Canadian Base Rate Loans, as applicable, on the date of such termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected
Lender as described above relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Canadian
Eurodollar Rate Loan then being requested by a Borrower pursuant to a Notice of
Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, such Borrower shall have the
option, subject to the provisions of subsection 2.6D, to rescind such Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation as to all Lenders by giving
notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Agent of such
rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its
determination as described above (which notice of rescission Agent shall
promptly transmit to each other Lender). Except as provided in the immediately
preceding sentence, nothing in this subsection 2.6C shall affect the obligation
of any Lender other than an Affected Lender to make or maintain Loans as,

                                       63
<PAGE>

or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans,
as applicable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          D.  Compensation For Breakage or Non-Commencement of Interest Periods.
The applicable Borrower shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by
that Lender (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such
amounts), for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including,
without limitation, any interest paid by that Lender to lenders of funds
borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian Eurodollar
Rate Loans, as applicable, and any loss, expense or liability sustained by that
Lender in connection with the liquidation or reemployment of such funds) which
that Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by that
Lender) a borrowing of any Eurodollar Rate Loan or any Canadian Eurodollar Rate
Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or a
telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or continuation of any
Eurodollar Rate Loan or any Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan does not occur on a
date specified therefor in a Notice of Conversion/Continuation or a telephonic
request for conversion or continuation, (ii) if any prepayment or other
principal payment or any conversion of any of its Eurodollar Rate Loans or
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans occurs on a date prior to the last day of an
Interest Period applicable to that Loan, (iii) if any prepayment of any of its
Eurodollar Rate Loans or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans is not made on any date
specified in a notice of prepayment given by the applicable Borrower, or (iv) as
a consequence of any other default by Company in the repayment of its Eurodollar
Rate Loans or Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans when required by the terms of this
Agreement.

          E.  Booking of Eurodollar Rate Loans and Canadian Eurodollar Rate
Loans. Any Lender may make, carry or transfer Eurodollar Rate Loans and Canadian
Eurodollar Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or
the office of an Affiliate of that Lender.

          F.  Assumptions Concerning Funding of Eurodollar Rate Loans and
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans. Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender
under this subsection 2.6 and under subsection 2.7A shall be made as though that
Lender had actually funded each of its relevant Eurodollar Rate Loans and
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans through the purchase of a Eurodollar deposit
bearing interest at the rate obtained pursuant to clause (i) of the definition
of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or pursuant to the definition of Canadian Eurodollar
Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such Eurodollar Rate Loan or Canadian
Eurodollar Rate Loan, as applicable, and having a maturity comparable to the
relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such Eurodollar deposit
from an offshore office of that Lender to a domestic office of that Lender in
the United States of America or in Canada, as applicable; provided, however,
                                                          --------  -------
that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Rate Loans and Canadian
Eurodollar Rate Loans in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumptions
shall be utilized only for the purposes of calculating amounts payable under
this subsection 2.6 and under subsection 2.7A.

          G.  Eurodollar Rate Loans and Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loans After
Default. After the occurrence of and during the continuation of a Potential
Event of Default or an Event of Default, (i) Borrower may not elect to have a
Loan be made or maintained as, or converted to, a Eurodollar Rate Loan or
Canadian Eurodollar Rate Loan, as applicable, after the

                                       64
<PAGE>

expiration of any Interest Period then in effect for that Loan and (ii) subject
to the provisions of subsection 2.6D, any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation given by any Borrower with respect to a requested
borrowing or conversion/continuation that has not yet occurred shall be deemed
to be rescinded by such Borrower.

2.7  Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy.

          A.  Compensation for Increased Costs and Taxes. Subject to the
provisions of subsection 2.7B, in the event that any Lender shall determine
(which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and
binding upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule,
regulation or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation,
administration or application thereof (including the introduction of any new
law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order), or any determination of
a court or governmental authority, in each case that becomes effective after the
date hereof, or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request or
directive issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other
governmental or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of
law);

              (i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to any
          additional Tax (other than any Tax on the overall net income of such
          Lender) with respect to this Agreement or any of its obligations
          hereunder or any payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending
          office) of principal, interest, fees or any other amount payable
          hereunder;

              (ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including
          without limitation any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or
          other reserve), special deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or
          similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other
          liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans by, or
          other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any
          office of such Lender (other than any such reserve or other
          requirements with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans that are reflected
          in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or

              (iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a
          Tax matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending
          office) or its obligations hereunder or the interbank Eurodollar
          market;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
agreeing to make, making or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount
received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with
respect thereto; then, in any such case, each Borrower shall promptly pay to
such Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence,
such additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a
different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its
sole discretion shall determine) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender
for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable
hereunder.  Such Lender shall deliver to the applicable Borrower (with a copy to
Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for

                                       65
<PAGE>

calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this subsection
2.7A, which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto
absent manifest error.

          B.  Withholding of Taxes.

          (i) Payments to Be Free and Clear. All sums payable by any Borrower
              -----------------------------
          under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall (except to the
          extent required by law) be paid free and clear of, and without any
          deduction or withholding on account of, any Tax (other than a Tax on
          the overall net income of any Lender) imposed, levied, collected,
          withheld or assessed by or within the United States of America or
          Canada or any political subdivision in or of the United States of
          America or Canada or any other jurisdiction from or to which a payment
          is made by or on behalf of any Borrower or by any federation or
          organization of which the United States of America or Canada or any
          such jurisdiction is a member at the time of payment.

          (ii) Grossing-up of Payments. If any Borrower or any other Person is
               -----------------------
          required by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any
          such Tax from any sum paid or payable by any Borrower to Agent or any
          Lender under any of the Loan Documents:

              (a) such Borrower shall notify Agent of any such requirement or
          any change in any such requirement as soon as such Borrower becomes
          aware of it;

              (b) such Borrower shall pay any such Tax before the date on which
          penalties attach thereto, such payment to be made (if the liability to
          pay is imposed on such Borrower) for its own account or (if that
          liability is imposed on Agent or such Lender, as the case may be) on
          behalf of and in the name of Agent or such Lender;

              (c) the sum payable by such Borrower in respect of which the
          relevant deduction, withholding or payment is required shall be
          increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of
          that deduction, withholding or payment, Agent or such Lender, as the
          case may be, receives on the due date a net sum equal to what it would
          have received had no such deduction, withholding or payment been
          required or made; and

              (d) within 30 days after paying any sum from which it is required
          by law to make any deduction or withholding, and within 30 days after
          the due date of payment of any Tax which it is required by clause (b)
          above to pay, such Borrower shall deliver to Agent evidence
          satisfactory to the other affected parties of such deduction,
          withholding or payment and of the remittance thereof to the relevant
          taxing or other authority;

provided that no such additional amount shall be required to be paid to any
--------
Lender under clause (c) above except to the extent that any change after the
date hereof (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof) or
after the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became
a Lender (in the case of each other Lender) in any such requirement

                                       66
<PAGE>

for a deduction, withholding or payment as is mentioned therein shall result in
an increase in the rate of such deduction, withholding or payment from that in
effect at the date of this Agreement or at the date of such Assignment
Agreement, as the case may be, in respect of payments to such Lender.

          (iii) Evidence of Exemption from Withholding Taxes.
                --------------------------------------------

              (a)  (1) Each Domestic Lender or Tranche B Term Loan Lender that
          is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United
          States or any state or other political subdivision thereof (for
          purposes of this subsection 2.7B(iii), a "Non-US Lender") shall
          deliver to Agent for transmission to Company, on or prior to the
          Closing Date (in the case of each Domestic Lender or Tranche B Term
          Loan Lender listed on the signature pages hereof) or on or prior to
          the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it becomes a
          Domestic Lender or Tranche B Term Loan Lender (in the case of each
          other Domestic Lender or Tranche B Term Loan Lender ), and at such
          other times as may be necessary in the determination of Company or
          Agent (each in the reasonable exercise of its discretion), (X) two
          original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224 (or any
          successor forms), properly completed and duly executed by such Lender,
          together with any other certificate or statement of exemption required
          under the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations issued thereunder
          to establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction or
          withholding of United States federal income tax with respect to any
          payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees or other amounts
          payable under any of the Loan Documents or (Y) if such Lender is not a
          "bank" or other Person described in Section 881(c)(3) of the Internal
          Revenue Code and cannot deliver either Internal Revenue Service Form
          1001 or 4224 pursuant to clause (X) above, a Certificate re Non-Bank
          Status together with two original copies of Internal Revenue Service
          Form W-8 (or any successor form), properly completed and duly executed
          by such Lender, together with any other certificate or statement of
          exemption required under the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations
          issued thereunder to establish that such Lender is not subject to
          deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax with
          respect to any payments to such Lender of interest payable under any
          of the Loan Documents.

          (2) Each Canadian Lender that is organized under the laws of any
          jurisdiction other than Canada or any province thereof or is not
          resident in Canada agrees to deliver to Canadian Borrowers and
          Canadian Agent upon request such certificates, documents or other
          evidence as may be required from time to time, properly completed and
          duly executed by such Canadian Lender, to establish the basis for any
          applicable exemption from or reduction of Taxes with respect to any
          payments to such Canadian Lender of principal, interest, fees,
          commissions or any other amount payable under this Agreement or the
          Canadian Term Loans.

              (b) Each Lender required to deliver any forms, certificates or
          other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax
          withholding matters or Canadian income tax withholding matters
          pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a)

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<PAGE>

          hereby agrees, from time to time after the initial delivery by such
          Lender of such forms, certificates or other evidence, whenever a lapse
          in time or change in circumstances renders such forms, certificates or
          other evidence obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, that
          such Lender shall (1) promptly deliver to Agent for transmission to
          Company (X) in the case of any Domestic Lender or Tranche B Term Loan
          Lender , two new original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form 1001
          or 4224, or a Certificate re Non-Bank Status and two original copies
          of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, as the case may be, or (Y) in
          the case of any Canadian Lender, such certificates, documents or other
          evidence as may be required from time to time under subsection
          2.7B(iii)(a)(2), in each case properly completed and duly executed by
          such Lender, together with any other certificate or statement of
          exemption required in order to confirm or establish that such Lender
          is not subject to deduction or withholding of United States or
          Canadian (as applicable) federal income tax with respect to payments
          to such Lender under the Loan Documents or (2) notify Agent and
          Company of its inability to deliver any such forms, certificates or
          other evidence.

              (c) The applicable Borrower shall not be required to pay any
          additional amount to any Non-US Lender under clause (c) of subsection
          2.7B(ii) if such Lender shall have failed to satisfy the requirements
          of clause (a) or (b) of this subsection 2.7B(iii); provided that if
                                                             --------
          such Lender shall have satisfied the requirements of subsection
          2.7B(iii)(a) on the Closing Date (in the case of each Lender listed on
          the signature pages hereof) or on the date of the Assignment Agreement
          pursuant to which it became a Lender (in the case of each other
          Lender), nothing in this subsection 2.7B(iii)(c) shall relieve the
          applicable Borrower of its obligation to pay any additional amounts
          pursuant to clause (c) of subsection 2.7B(ii) in the event that, as a
          result of any change in any applicable law, treaty or governmental
          rule, regulation or order, or any change in the interpretation,
          administration or application thereof, such Lender is no longer
          properly entitled to deliver forms, certificates or other evidence at
          a subsequent date establishing the fact that such Lender is not
          subject to withholding as described in subsection 2.7B(iii)(a).

          C.  Capital Adequacy Adjustment. If any Lender shall have determined
that the adoption, effectiveness, phase-in or applicability after the date
hereof of any law, rule or regulation (or any provision thereof) regarding
capital adequacy, or any change therein or in the interpretation or
administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable
agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance
by any Lender (or its applicable lending office) with any guideline, request or
directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of
any such governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would
have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or
any corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference
to, such Lender's Loans, Commitments or Letters of Credit or participations
therein or other obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender
or such controlling corporation could have achieved but for such adoption,
effectiveness, phase-in, applicability, change or compliance (taking into
consideration the policies of such Lender or such controlling corporation with
regard to capital adequacy), then from time to time, within five

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<PAGE>

Business Days after receipt by Company from such Lender of the statement
referred to in the next sentence, Borrower shall pay to such Lender such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such controlling
corporation on an after-tax basis for such reduction. Such Lender shall deliver
to Company (with a copy to Agent) a written statement, setting forth in
reasonable detail the basis of the calculation of such additional amounts, which
statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent
manifest error.

2.8  Obligation of Lenders and Issuing Lenders to Mitigate.

          Each Lender and Issuing Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable
after the officer of such Lender or Issuing Lender responsible for administering
the Loans or Letters of Credit of such Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may
be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition
that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle
such Lender or Issuing Lender to receive payments under subsection 2.7 or
subsection 3.6, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal
policies of such Lender or Issuing Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory
restrictions, use reasonable efforts (i) to make, issue, fund or maintain the
Commitments of such Lender or the affected Loans or Letters of Credit of such
Lender or Issuing Lender through another lending or letter of credit office of
such Lender or Issuing Lender, or (ii) take such other measures as such Lender
or Issuing Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances
which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or
the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such
Lender or Issuing Lender pursuant to subsection 2.7 or subsection 3.6 would be
materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender or Issuing Lender in its
sole discretion, the making, issuing, funding or maintaining of such Commitments
or Loans or Letters of Credit through such other lending or letter of credit
office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not
otherwise materially adversely affect such Commitments or Loans or Letters of
Credit or the interests of such Lender or Issuing Lender; provided that such
                                                          --------
Lender or Issuing Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other lending or
letter of credit office pursuant to this subsection 2.8 unless Borrower agrees
to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender or Issuing Lender as a
result of utilizing such other lending or letter of credit office as described
in clause (i) above.  A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses
payable by Borrower pursuant to this subsection 2.8 (setting forth in reasonable
detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender or Issuing
Lender to Company (with a copy to Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

Section 3.  LETTERS OF CREDIT

3.1  Issuance of Letters of Credit and Lenders' Purchase of Participations
     Therein.

          A.  Letters of Credit. In addition to Company requesting that Domestic
Lenders make Working Capital Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv) and
that Swing Line Lender make Swing Line Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(v),
Company may request, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection 3.1,
from time to time during the period from the Closing Date to the date which is
30 days prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, that one or
more Domestic Lenders having a Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment issue
Letters of Credit for the account of Company for the purposes specified in the
definition of Letters of Credit. Letters of Credit can be issued on a sight
basis only.

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<PAGE>

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the
representations and warranties of Company herein set forth, any one or more
Domestic Lenders may, but (except as provided in subsection 3.1B(ii)) shall not
be obligated to, issue such Letters of Credit in accordance with the provisions
of this subsection 3.1; provided that Company shall not request that any
                        --------
Domestic Lender issue (and no Domestic Lender shall issue):

          (i) any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, the
          Total Utilization of Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments would
          exceed the Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect;

          (ii) any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance,
          the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $3,000,000;

          (iii) any Letter of Credit having an expiration date later than the
          earlier of (a) 10 Business Days prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment
          Termination Date and (b) the date which is one year from the date of
          issuance of such Letter of Credit; provided that the immediately
                                             --------
          preceding clause (b) shall not prevent any Issuing Lender from
          agreeing that a Letter of Credit will automatically be extended for
          one or more successive periods not to exceed one year each, unless
          such Issuing Lender elects not to extend for any such additional
          period; and provided, further that, unless Requisite Lenders otherwise
                      --------  -------
          consent, such Issuing Lender shall give notice that it will not extend
          such Letter of Credit if it has knowledge that an Event of Default has
          occurred and is continuing; or

          (iv) any Letter of Credit denominated in a currency other than Dollars
          or Canadian Dollars.

          B.  Mechanics for Issuance.

          (i) Request for Issuance. Whenever Company desires the issuance of a
              --------------------
          Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to Agent a Request for Issuance of
          Letter of Credit substantially in the form of Exhibit III annexed
                                                        -----------
          hereto no later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) at least three
          Business Days or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the
          Issuing Lender in any particular instance, in advance of the proposed
          date of issuance. The Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit shall
          specify (a) the proposed date of issuance (which shall be a Business
          Day), (b) the face amount of the Letter of Credit, (c) whether the
          Letter of Credit is requested to be denominated in Dollars or in
          Canadian Dollars, (d) the expiration date of the Letter of Credit, (e)
          the name and address of the beneficiary, and (f) either the verbatim
          text of the proposed Letter of Credit or the proposed terms and
          conditions thereof, including a precise description of any documents
          to be presented by the beneficiary which, if presented by the
          beneficiary prior to the expiration date of the Letter of Credit,
          would require the Issuing Lender to make payment under the Letter of
          Credit; provided that the Issuing Lender, in its reasonable
                  --------
          discretion, may require changes in the text of the proposed Letter of
          Credit or any such documents.

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<PAGE>

               Company shall notify the applicable Issuing Lender (and Agent, if
          Agent is not such Issuing Lender) prior to the issuance of any Letter
          of Credit in the event that any of the matters to which Company is
          required to certify in the applicable Request for Issuance of Letter
          of Credit is no longer true and correct as of the proposed date of
          issuance of such Letter of Credit, and upon the issuance of any Letter
          of Credit Company shall be deemed to have re-certified, as of the date
          of such issuance, as to the matters to which Company is required to
          certify in the applicable Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit.

          (ii) Determination of Issuing Lender. Upon receipt by Agent of a
               -------------------------------
          Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit pursuant to subsection
          3.1B(i) requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, in the event
          Agent elects to issue such Letter of Credit, Agent shall promptly so
          notify Company, and Agent shall be the Issuing Lender with respect
          thereto. In the event that Agent, in its sole discretion, elects not
          to issue such Letter of Credit, Agent shall promptly so notify
          Company, whereupon Company may request any other Domestic Lender to
          issue such Letter of Credit by delivering to such Domestic Lender a
          copy of the applicable Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit. Any
          Domestic Lender so requested to issue such Letter of Credit shall
          promptly notify Company and Agent whether or not, in its sole
          discretion, it has elected to issue such Letter of Credit, and any
          such Domestic Lender which so elects to issue such Letter of Credit
          shall be the Issuing Lender with respect thereto. In the event that
          all other Domestic Lenders shall have declined to issue such Letter of
          Credit, notwithstanding the prior election of Agent not to issue such
          Letter of Credit, Agent shall be obligated to issue such Letter of
          Credit and shall be the Issuing Lender with respect thereto,
          notwithstanding the fact that the Letter of Credit Usage with respect
          to such Letter of Credit and with respect to all other Letters of
          Credit issued by Agent, when aggregated with Agent's outstanding
          Working Capital Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, may exceed
          Agent's Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect;
          provided that Agent shall not be obligated to issue any Letter of
          --------
          Credit denominated in a foreign currency other than Canadian Dollars.

          (iii) Issuance of Letter of Credit. Upon satisfaction or waiver (in
                ----------------------------
          accordance with subsection 10.6) of the conditions set forth in
          subsection 4.4, the Issuing Lender shall issue the requested Letter of
          Credit in accordance with the Issuing Lender's standard operating
          procedures.

          (iv) Notification to Lenders. Upon the issuance of any Letter of
               -----------------------
          Credit the applicable Issuing Lender shall promptly notify Agent and
          each other Domestic Lender of such issuance, which notice shall be
          accompanied by a copy of such Letter of Credit. Promptly after receipt
          of such notice (or, if Agent is the Issuing Lender, together with such
          notice), Agent shall notify each Domestic Lender of the amount of such
          Domestic Lender's respective participation in such Letter of Credit,
          determined in accordance with subsection 3.1C.

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<PAGE>

          (v) Reports to Lenders. Within 15 days after the end of each calendar
              ------------------
          quarter ending after the Closing Date, so long as any Letter of Credit
          shall have been outstanding during such calendar quarter, each Issuing
          Lender shall deliver to each other Lender a report setting forth for
          such calendar quarter the daily aggregate amount available to be drawn
          under the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender that were
          outstanding during such calendar quarter.

          C.  Domestic Lenders' Purchase of Participations in Letters of Credit.
Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Domestic Lender
having a Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitment shall be deemed to, and
hereby agrees to, have irrevocably purchased from the Issuing Lender a
participation in such Letter of Credit and any drawings honored thereunder in an
amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the maximum amount which is or
at any time may become available to be drawn thereunder.

          D.  Existing Letters of Credit. Company and Domestic Lenders agree
that any Letter of Credit issued by any Lender as a "Letter of Credit" (as
defined in an Existing Credit Agreement) pursuant to such Existing Credit
Agreement and outstanding as of the Closing Date (each such letter of credit
being referred to herein as an "Existing Letter of Credit") shall for all
purposes of this Agreement be deemed to have been issued as a Letter of Credit
as of the Closing Date under and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and
all fees payable under subsection 3.2 with respect to such Existing Letters of
Credit shall accrue from and after the Closing Date.

3.2  Letter of Credit Fees.

          Company agrees to pay the following amounts with respect to Letters of
Credit issued hereunder:

          (i) with respect to each Letter of Credit, (a) an annual fronting fee,
          payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account,
          equal to the greater of (X) $500 and (Y) 0.25% per annum of the daily
          amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and (b) a
          letter of credit fee, payable to Agent for the account of Domestic
          Lenders, equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin for Working
          Capital Revolving Loans multiplied by the daily amount available to be
                                  ----------
          drawn under such Letter of Credit, each such fronting fee or letter of
          credit fee to be payable in arrears on and to (but excluding) each
          March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year and
          computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days
          elapsed;

          (ii) with respect to the issuance, amendment or transfer of each
          Letter of Credit and each payment of a drawing made thereunder
          (without duplication of the fees payable under clause (i) above),
          documentary and processing charges payable directly to the applicable
          Issuing Lender for its own account in accordance with such Issuing
          Lender's standard schedule for such charges in effect at the time of
          such issuance, amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may be.

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<PAGE>

Promptly upon receipt by Agent of any amount described in clause (i)(b) of this
subsection 3.2, Agent shall distribute to each Domestic Lender having a Working
Capital Revolving Loan Commitment its Pro Rata Share of such amount.

3.3  Drawings and Reimbursement of Amounts Paid Under Letters of Credit.

          A.  Responsibility of Issuing Lender With Respect to Drawings. In
determining whether to honor any drawing under any Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to examine the
documents delivered under such Letter of Credit with reasonable care so as to
ascertain whether they appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms
and conditions of such Letter of Credit.

          B.  Reimbursement by Company of Amounts Paid Under Letters of Credit.
In the event an Issuing Lender has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter
of Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall immediately notify Company and
Agent, and Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender on the date on which such
drawing is honored (the "Reimbursement Date") in an amount in Dollars (which
amount, in the case of a drawing under a Letter of Credit which is denominated
in Canadian Dollars, shall be calculated in Dollar Equivalents) and in same day
funds equal to the amount of such drawing; provided that, anything contained in
                                           --------
this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) unless Company shall have
notified Agent and such Issuing Lender prior to 10:00 A.M. (New York City time)
on the date such drawing is honored that Company intends to reimburse such
Issuing Lender for the amount of such drawing with funds other than the proceeds
of Working Capital Revolving Loans, Company shall be deemed to have given a
timely Notice of Borrowing to Agent requesting Lenders to make Working Capital
Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans on the Reimbursement Date in an amount
in Dollars (calculated in Dollar Equivalents in the case of a drawing equal to
the amount of any drawing honored by such Issuing Lender under a Letter of
Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars) equal to the amount of such drawing and
(ii) subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in subsection
4.2B, Domestic Lenders shall, on the Reimbursement Date, make Working Capital
Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans in the amount of such drawing, the
proceeds of which shall be applied directly by Agent to reimburse such Issuing
Lender for the amount of such drawing; and provided, further that if for any
                                           --------  -------
reason proceeds of Working Capital Revolving Loans are not received by such
Issuing Lender on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount of
such drawing, Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender, on demand, in an
amount in same day funds equal to the excess of the amount of such honored
drawing over the aggregate amount of such Working Capital Revolving Loans, if
any, which are so received. Nothing in this subsection 3.3B shall be deemed to
relieve any Domestic Lender from its obligation to make Working Capital
Revolving Loans on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and
Company shall retain any and all rights it may have against any Domestic Lender
resulting from the failure of such Domestic Lender to make such Working Capital
Revolving Loans under this subsection 3.3B.

          C.  Payment by Lenders of Unreimbursed Amounts Paid Under Letters of
Credit.

          (i) Payment by Domestic Lenders. In the event that Company shall fail
              ---------------------------
          for any reason to reimburse any Issuing Lender as provided in
          subsection 3.3B in an

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<PAGE>

          amount (calculated in Dollar Equivalents in the case of a drawing
          equal to the amount of any drawing honored by such Issuing Lender
          under a Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars) equal to the
          amount of any drawing honored by such Issuing Lender under a Letter of
          Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall promptly notify each
          other Domestic Lender having a Working Capital Revolving Loan
          Commitment of the unreimbursed amount of such drawing and of such
          other Domestic Lender's respective participation therein based on such
          Domestic Lender's Pro Rata Share. Each such Domestic Lender shall make
          available to such Issuing Lender an amount equal to its respective
          participation, in Dollars and in same day funds, at the office of such
          Issuing Lender specified in such notice, on the date of such notice by
          such Issuing Lender. In the event that any Domestic Lender fails to
          make available to such Issuing Lender on such business day the amount
          of such Domestic Lender's participation in such Letter of Credit as
          provided in this subsection 3.3C, such Issuing Lender shall be
          entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Domestic Lender
          together with interest thereon at the rate customarily used by such
          Issuing Lender for the correction of errors among banks for three
          Business Days and thereafter at the Base Rate. Nothing in this
          subsection 3.3C shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Domestic
          Lender to recover from any Issuing Lender any amounts made available
          by such Domestic Lender to such Issuing Lender pursuant to this
          subsection 3.3C in the event that it is determined by the final
          judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the payment with
          respect to a Letter of Credit by such Issuing Lender in respect of
          which payment was made by such Domestic Lender constituted gross
          negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender.

          (ii) Distribution to Lenders of Reimbursements Received From Company.
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
          In the event any Issuing Lender shall have been reimbursed by other
          Domestic Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any portion
          of any drawing honored by such Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit
          issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other
          Domestic Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under
          subsection 3.3C(i) with respect to such drawing such other Domestic
          Lender's Pro Rata Share of all payments subsequently received by such
          Issuing Lender from Company in reimbursement of such drawing when such
          payments are received. Any such distribution shall be made to a
          Domestic Lender at its primary address set forth below its name on the
          appropriate signature page hereof or at such other address as such
          Domestic Lender may request.

          D.  Interest on Amounts Paid Under Letters of Credit.

          (i) Payment of Interest by Company. Company agrees to pay to each
              ------------------------------
          Issuing Lender, with respect to drawings made under any Letters of
          Credit issued by it, interest on the amount paid by such Issuing
          Lender in respect of each such drawing from the date of such drawing
          to but excluding the date such amount is reimbursed by Company
          (including any such reimbursement out of the proceeds of Working
          Capital Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection 3.3B) at a rate equal
          to (a) for the period from the date of such drawing to but excluding
          the

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<PAGE>

          Reimbursement Date, the rate then in effect under this Agreement with
          respect to Working Capital Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans
          and (b) thereafter, a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the rate
          of interest otherwise payable under this Agreement with respect to
          Working Capital Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans. Interest
          payable pursuant to this subsection 3.3D(i) shall be computed on the
          basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed in the
          period during which it accrues and shall be payable on demand or, if
          no demand is made, on the date on which the related drawing under a
          Letter of Credit is reimbursed in full.

          (ii) Distribution of Interest Payments by Issuing Lender. Promptly
               ---------------------------------------------------
          upon receipt by any Issuing Lender of any payment of interest pursuant
          to subsection 3.3D(i) with respect to a drawing honored under a Letter
          of Credit issued by it, (a) such Issuing Lender shall distribute to
          each other Domestic Lender, out of the interest received by such
          Issuing Lender in respect of the period from the date of such drawing
          to but excluding the date on which such Issuing Lender is reimbursed
          for the amount of such drawing (including any such reimbursement out
          of the proceeds of Working Capital Revolving Loans pursuant to
          subsection 3.3B), the amount that such other Domestic Lender would
          have been entitled to receive in respect of the letter of credit fee
          that would have been payable in respect of such Letter of Credit for
          such period pursuant to subsection 3.2 if no drawing had been made
          under such Letter of Credit, and (b) in the event such Issuing Lender
          shall have been reimbursed by other Domestic Lenders pursuant to
          subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any portion of such honored drawing,
          such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other Domestic Lender
          which has paid all amounts payable by it under subsection 3.3C(i) with
          respect to such honored drawing such other Domestic Lender's Pro Rata
          Share of any interest received by such Issuing Lender in respect of
          that portion of such honored drawing so reimbursed by other Domestic
          Lenders for the period from the date on which such Issuing Lender was
          so reimbursed by other Domestic Lenders to but excluding the date on
          which such portion of such honored drawing is reimbursed by Company.
          Any such distribution shall be made to a Domestic Lender at its
          primary address set forth below its name on the appropriate signature
          page hereof or at such other address as such Domestic Lender may
          request.

3.4  Obligations Absolute.

          The obligation of Company to reimburse each Issuing Lender for
drawings made under the Letters of Credit issued by it and to repay any Working
Capital Revolving Loans made by Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3B and the
obligations of Lenders under subsection 3.3C(i) shall be unconditional and
irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement under all circumstances including any of the following circumstances:

          (i)  any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;

          (ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which
          Company or any Domestic Lender may have at any time against a
          beneficiary or any

                                       75
<PAGE>

          transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such
          transferee may be acting), any Issuing Lender or other Domestic Lender
          or any other Person or, in the case of a Domestic Lender, against
          Company, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions
          contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any
          underlying transaction between Company or one of its Subsidiaries and
          the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured);

          (iii) any draft or other document presented under any Letter of Credit
          proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any
          respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any
          respect;

          (iv) payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under any Letter of
          Credit against presentation of a draft or other document which does
          not substantially comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

          (v) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties,
          assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Company or
          any of its Subsidiaries;

          (vi) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any
          party thereto;

          (vii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not
          similar to any of the foregoing; or

          (viii) the fact that an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
          Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

provided, in each case, that payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under the
--------
applicable Letter of Credit shall not have constituted gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender under the circumstances in question
(as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

3.5  Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lenders' Duties.

          A.  Indemnification. In addition to amounts payable as provided in
subsection 3.6, Company hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save
harmless each Issuing Lender from and against any and all claims, demands,
liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable
fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal
counsel) which such Issuing Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence,
direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing
Lender, other than as a result of (a) the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of such Issuing Lender as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction or (b) subject to the following clause (ii), the wrongful dishonor
by such Issuing Lender of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of
Credit issued by it or (ii) the failure of such Issuing Lender to honor a
drawing under any such Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission,
whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto
government or governmental authority (all such acts or omissions herein called
"Governmental Acts").

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<PAGE>

          B.  Nature of Issuing Lenders' Duties. As between Company and any
Issuing Lender, Company assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or
misuse of the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender by, the respective
beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of
the foregoing, such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for: (i) the form,
validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document
submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of
any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all
respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to
be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of
any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with any conditions required in order
to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or
delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph,
telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in
interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or
otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such
Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the
beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under
such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the
control of such Issuing Lender, including any Governmental Acts, and none of the
above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of such Issuing
Lender's rights or powers hereunder.

          In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific
provisions set forth in the first paragraph of this subsection 3.5B, any action
taken or omitted by any Issuing Lender under or in connection with the Letters
of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder,
if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Issuing Lender under any
resulting liability to Company.

          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection
3.5, Company shall retain any and all rights it may have against any Issuing
Lender for any liability arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Issuing Lender, as determined by a final judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction.

3.6  Increased Costs and Taxes Relating to Letters of Credit.

          Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.7B (which shall be
controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any
Issuing Lender or Domestic Lender shall determine (which determination shall,
absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties
hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any
change therein or in the interpretation, administration or application thereof
(including the introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule,
regulation or order), or any determination of a court or governmental authority,
in each case that becomes effective after the date hereof, or compliance by any
Issuing Lender or Domestic Lender with any guideline, request or directive
issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental
or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law):

          (i) subjects such Issuing Lender or Domestic Lender (or its applicable
          lending or letter of credit office) to any additional Tax (other than
          any Tax on the overall

                                       77
<PAGE>

          net income of such Issuing Lender or Lender) with respect to the
          issuing or maintaining of any Letters of Credit or the purchasing or
          maintaining of any participations therein or any other obligations
          under this Section 3, whether directly or by such being imposed on or
          suffered by any particular Issuing Lender;

          (ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any
          marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special
          deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement in
          respect of any Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Lender or
          participations therein purchased by any Domestic Lender; or

          (iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax
          matter) on or affecting such Issuing Lender or Domestic Lender (or its
          applicable lending or letter of credit office) regarding this Section
          3 or any Letter of Credit or any participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Issuing
Lender or Lender of agreeing to issue, issuing or maintaining any Letter of
Credit or agreeing to purchase, purchasing or maintaining any participation
therein or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Issuing Lender or
Domestic Lender (or its applicable lending or letter of credit office) with
respect thereto; then, in any case, Company shall promptly pay to such Issuing
Lender or Domestic Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next
sentence, such additional amount or amounts as may be necessary to compensate
such Issuing Lender or Domestic Lender for any such increased cost or reduction
in amounts received or receivable hereunder.  Such Issuing Lender or Lender
shall deliver to Company a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail
the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Issuing Lender or
Domestic Lender under this subsection 3.6, which statement shall be conclusive
and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

Section 4.  CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

          The obligations of Lenders to make Loans and the issuance of Letters
of Credit hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions.

4.1  Conditions to Term Loans and Initial Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans.

          The obligations of Lenders to make the Term Loans and any Revolving
Loans and Swing Line Loans to be made on the Closing Date are, in addition to
the conditions precedent specified in subsection 4.2, subject to prior or
concurrent satisfaction of the following conditions:

          A.  Loan Party Documents. On or before the Closing Date, Company
shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, deliver to Lenders (or to Agent
with sufficient originally executed copies, where appropriate, for each Lender
and its counsel) the following with respect to Company or such Loan Party, as
the case may be, each, unless otherwise noted, dated the Closing Date:

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<PAGE>

          (i) Certified copies of the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation
          of such Person, together with a good standing certificate from the
          Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of incorporation and each other
          state in which such Person is qualified as a foreign corporation to do
          business and, to the extent generally available, a certificate or
          other evidence of good standing as to payment of any applicable
          franchise or similar taxes from the appropriate taxing authority of
          each of such jurisdictions, each dated a recent date prior to the
          Closing Date;

          (ii) Copies of the Bylaws of such Person, certified as of the Closing
          Date by such Person's corporate secretary or an assistant secretary;

          (iii) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of such Person approving
          and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
          Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Closing Date by
          the corporate secretary or an assistant secretary of such Person as
          being in full force and effect without modification or amendment;

          (iv) Signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such
          Person executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

          (v) Executed originals of this Agreement, the Notes (duly executed in
          accordance with subsection 2.1E, drawn to the order of each Lender and
          Swing Line Lender and with appropriate insertions) and the other Loan
          Documents to be executed on the Closing Date, including without
          limitation the Master Assignment Agreement, substantially in the form
          of Exhibit XIV annexed hereto, executed by the Company and the
             -----------
          Acknowledgement and Consent, substantially in the form of Exhibit XIII
                                                                    ------------
          annexed hereto, executed by the Company and each of the other Loan
          Parties; and

          (vi) Such other documents as Agent may reasonably request.

          B.  No Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 1997, no Material
Adverse Effect (in the collective opinion of Agent and Syndication Agent) shall
have occurred.

          C.  Existing Credit Agreements Payments and Assignments.

          (i) With respect to the Existing Credit Agreements, Company shall have
          paid to BTCC, as agent under the Existing Credit Agreements, for
          distribution to lenders and issuing lenders, as applicable, under the
          Existing Credit Agreements all unpaid accrued interest on all loans,
          all unpaid accrued commitment fees and all unpaid accrued fees on all
          Existing Letters of Credit, in each case through but excluding the
          Closing Date.

          (ii) On or before the Effective Date, each party a signatory thereto
          shall have executed and delivered the Master Assignment Agreement,
          substantially in the form of Exhibit XIV annexed hereto, and on the
                                       -----------
          Effective Date, each such lender, BTCC, Lenders and Agent shall have
          sold, purchased and/or assigned such loans and/or revolving loan
          commitments pursuant to the Master Assignment

                                       79
<PAGE>

          Agreement such that each Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Loans and/or
          Revolving Loan Commitments upon consummation of the closing shall be
          as set forth on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto.
                          ------------

          D.  Repayment of Certain Existing Indebtedness. On the Closing Date,
Company and its Subsidiaries shall have repaid in full the Weyerhaeuser Deeds of
Trust in the amount of approximately $15,500,000 and irrevocably called for
redemption not less than 35% of the outstanding Subordinated Notes, and
delivered to Agent all documents or instruments necessary to release all Liens
securing such Indebtedness or other obligations of Company and its Subsidiaries
thereunder.

          E.  Capitalization, Etc.

          (i) The organizational and ownership structure of Company and of
          Holdings (and their respective Subsidiaries) shall be as set forth in
          Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto and satisfactory to the Agent and the
          ------------
          Lenders for all respects. Agent shall have received copies and shall
          be satisfied with the form and substance of any and all employment
          contracts with senior management of Holdings and of Company;

          (ii) On or before the Closing Date, Holdings shall have provided
          evidence satisfactory to Agent regarding its payment to Company of the
          Net Equity Securities Proceeds (as defined in subsection 2.4B(iii)(d))
          in an amount not less than $51,200,000;

          (iii) On the Closing Date, Company shall have delivered to Agent an
          Officers' Certificate regarding the consummation of the corporate
          restructuring as described in the recitals of this Agreement; and

          (iv) On the Closing Date, Company shall have delivered to Agent an
          Officers' Certificate demonstrating that after giving effect to the
          Loans made under this Agreement, Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge
          Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Subordinated Note Indenture) will be
          greater than 2.25 to 1.00.

          F.  No Disruption of Financial and Capital Markets. There shall have
been no material adverse change after May 8, 1998, to the syndication markets
for credit facilities similar in nature to the credit facilities provided herein
and there shall not have occurred and be continuing a material disruption of or
material adverse change in financial, banking or capital markets that would have
an adverse effect on such syndication market, in each case as determined by
Agent and Syndication Agent in their sole discretion.

          G.  Closing Date Mortgages; Closing Date Mortgage Policies; Etc. Agent
and Syndication Agent shall have received from Company and each applicable
Subsidiary Guarantor:

          (i) Closing Date Mortgages. To the extent not received by BTCC under
              ----------------------
          the Existing Credit Agreements, fully executed and notarized Mortgages
          (each a "Closing Date Mortgage" and, collectively, the "Closing Date
          Mortgages"), in proper form for recording in all appropriate places in
          all applicable jurisdictions,

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<PAGE>

          encumbering each Real Property Asset so identified in Schedule 5.5
                                                                ------------
          annexed hereto (each a "Closing Date Mortgaged Property" and,
          collectively, the "Closing Date Mortgaged Properties"); and

          (ii) Opinions of Local Counsel. An opinion of counsel (which counsel
               -------------------------
          shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent) in each state in which a
          Closing Date Mortgaged Property is located with respect to the
          enforceability of the form(s) of Closing Date Mortgages to be recorded
          in such state and such other matters as Agent may reasonably request,
          in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

          H.  Existing Mortgages; Endorsements; Etc. Agent and Syndication Agent
shall have received from Company and each applicable Subsidiary Guarantor:

          (i) Existing Mortgages. Fully executed and notarized amendments to
              ------------------
          each existing mortgage delivered pursuant to the Existing Credit
          Agreements (each an "Existing Mortgage" and, collectively, the
          "Existing Mortgages") and fully executed and notarized amendments to
          each existing Pledge and Collateral Agreement, in proper form for
          recording in all appropriate places in all applicable jurisdictions,
          encumbering each Real Property Asset so identified in Schedule 5.5
                                                                ------------
          annexed hereto (each an "Existing Mortgaged Property" and,
          collectively, the "Existing Mortgaged Properties");

          (ii) Title Insurance. For Existing Mortgaged Properties located in the
               ---------------
          United States only, (a) CLTA 110.5 (or local state equivalents
          satisfactory to Agent and Syndication Agent) endorsements or
          unconditional marked pro forma commitments therefor along with such
          additional title endorsements, in form and substance satisfactory to
          Agent and Syndication Agent, as they may require (the "Endorsements"),
          insuring fee simple title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, each
          such Existing Mortgaged Property, as amended by the amendments, are
          vested in such Loan Party, and assuring Agent that the applicable
          Existing Mortgages, as amended, are valid and enforceable First
          Priority Mortgage Liens on the respective Closing Date Mortgaged
          Properties encumbered thereby; and (b) evidence satisfactory to Agent
          that such Loan Party has (i) delivered to the title company all
          certificates and affidavits required by the title company in
          connection with the issuance of the Endorsements and (ii) paid to the
          title company or to the appropriate governmental authorities all
          expenses and premiums of the title company in connection with the
          issuance of the Endorsements and all recording and stamp taxes
          (including mortgage recording and intangible taxes) payable in
          connection with recording the amendments to the Existing Mortgages in
          the appropriate real estate records; and

          (iii) Environmental Indemnity. If requested by Agent or Syndication
                -----------------------
          Agent, an environmental indemnity agreement, satisfactory in form and
          substance to Agent and its counsel, with respect to the
          indemnification of Agent and Lenders for any liabilities that may be
          imposed on or incurred by any of them as a result of any Hazardous
          Materials Activity.

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<PAGE>

          I.  Security Interests in Personal and Mixed Property. To the extent
not otherwise satisfied pursuant to subsection 4.1G or 4.1H or under any of the
Existing Credit Agreements, Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to
it that Holdings, Company and Subsidiary Guarantors shall have taken or caused
to be taken all such actions, executed and delivered or caused to be executed
and delivered all such agreements, documents and instruments, and made or caused
to be made all such filings and recordings (other than the filing or recording
of items described in clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) below) that may be necessary
or, in the opinion of Agent, desirable in order to create in favor of Agent, for
the benefit of Lenders, a valid and (upon such filing and recording) perfected
First Priority security interest in the entire personal and mixed property
Collateral. Such actions shall include the following:

          (i) Schedules to Collateral Documents. Delivery to Agent of accurate
              ---------------------------------
          and complete schedules to all of the applicable Collateral Documents.

          (ii) Stock Certificates and Instruments. Delivery to Agent of (a)
               ----------------------------------
          certificates (which certificates shall be accompanied by irrevocable
          undated stock powers, duly endorsed in blank and otherwise
          satisfactory in form and substance to Agent) representing all capital
          stock pledged pursuant to the Holdings Pledge Agreement, the Company
          Pledge Agreement and the Subsidiary Pledge Agreements and (b) all
          promissory notes or other instruments (duly endorsed, where
          appropriate, in a manner satisfactory to Agent) evidencing any
          Collateral;

          (iii) Lien Searches and UCC Termination Statements. Delivery to Agent
                --------------------------------------------
          of (a) the results of a recent search, by a Person satisfactory to
          Agent, of all effective UCC or PPSA financing statements and fixture
          filings and all judgment and tax lien filings which may have been made
          with respect to any personal or mixed property of any Loan Party,
          together with copies of all such filings disclosed by such search, and
          (b) UCC or PPSA termination statements duly executed by all applicable
          Persons for filing in all applicable jurisdictions as may be necessary
          to terminate any effective UCC or PPSA financing statements or fixture
          filings disclosed in such search (other than any such financing
          statements or fixture filings in respect of Liens permitted to remain
          outstanding pursuant to the terms of this Agreement).

          (iv) UCC Financing Statements and Fixture Filings. Delivery to Agent
               --------------------------------------------
          of UCC or PPSA financing statements and, where appropriate, fixture
          filings, duly executed by each applicable Loan Party with respect to
          all personal and mixed property Collateral of such Loan Party, for
          filing in all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of
          Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests created in such
          Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents;

          (v) PTO Cover Sheets, Etc. Delivery to Agent of all cover sheets or
              ---------------------
          other documents or instruments required to be filed with the PTO in
          order to create or perfect Liens in respect of any IP Collateral;

          J.  Evidence of Insurance. Agent shall have received a certificate
from Company's insurance broker satisfactory in form and substance to Agent
outlining all material

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<PAGE>

insurance coverage maintained by Company, including without limitation directors
and officers insurance coverages and all insurance required to be maintained
pursuant to subsection 6.4. Agent on behalf of Lenders shall have been named as
additional insured and/or loss payee thereunder to the extent required under
subsection 6.4.

          K.  Financial Statements. Agent and Syndication Agent shall have
received on behalf of Lenders (a) audited financial statements of Company and
its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial officer of Company
that they fairly present the financial condition of Company and its Subsidiaries
as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and
normal year-end adjustments, (b) unaudited financial statements of Company and
its Subsidiaries for the fiscal periods most recently ended prior to the Closing
Date (including without limitation monthly financial statements for any such
period of less than three months), (c) a pro forma balance sheet as of the
Closing Date for Company and its Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP
(except as otherwise noted therein) and giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and (d) projected financial statements
(including balance sheets and statements of operations and cash flows) of
Company and its Subsidiaries for the five-year period after the Closing Date
prepared on a monthly basis through December 31, 1999, all of the foregoing to
be (x) substantially consistent with any financial statements for the same
periods delivered to the Agent prior to December 31, 1997, and in the case of
any such financial statements for subsequent periods, substantially consistent
with any projected financial results for such periods delivered to the Agent
prior to such date and (y) otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent and Syndication Agent and the Lenders.

          L.  Opinions of Borrower's Counsel. Lenders shall have received
originally executed copies of one or more favorable written opinions of Kirkland
& Ellis, U.S. counsel for Borrowers, and of Canadian counsel for Borrowers, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, dated as of
the Closing Date and setting forth substantially the matters in the opinions
designated in Exhibit VII annexed hereto and as to such other matters as Agent
              -----------
acting on behalf of Lenders may reasonably request.

          M.  Opinions of Agent's Counsel. Lenders shall have received
originally executed copies of one or more favorable written opinions of
O'Melveny & Myers LLP, counsel to Agent, dated as of the Closing Date,
substantially in the form of Exhibit VIII annexed hereto and as to such other
                             ------------
matters as Agent acting on behalf of Lenders may reasonably request.

          N.  Auditor's Letter. Agent shall have received an executed Auditor's
Letter.

          O.  Fees. Company shall have paid to Agent, for distribution (as
appropriate) to Agent and Lenders, the fees payable on the Closing Date referred
to in subsection 2.3.

          P.  Representations and Warranties; Performance of Agreements. Company
shall have delivered to Agent an Officers' Certificate, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent, to the effect that the representations and warranties in
Section 5 hereof are true, correct and complete in all material respects on and
as of the Closing Date to the same

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<PAGE>

extent as though made on and as of that date (or, to the extent such
representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, that such
representations and warranties were true, correct and complete in all material
respects on and as of such earlier date) and that Company shall have performed
in all material respects all agreements and satisfied all conditions which this
Agreement provides shall be performed or satisfied by it on or before the
Closing Date except as otherwise disclosed to and agreed to in writing by Agent
and Requisite Lenders.

          Q.  Completion of Proceedings. All corporate and other proceedings
taken or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and
all documents incidental thereto not previously found acceptable by Agent,
acting on behalf of Lenders, and its counsel shall be satisfactory in form and
substance to Agent and such counsel, and Agent and such counsel shall have
received all such counterpart originals or certified copies of such documents as
Agent may reasonably request.

          R.  Delivery of Price Waterhouse Year 2000 Questionaire. Company and
Sun Gro Canada shall have completed the Price Waterhouse Year 2000 Questionaire
in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and shall have delivered to Agent
and Syndication Agent a copy of such questionaire.

4.2  Conditions to All Loans.

          The obligations of Lenders to make Loans on each Funding Date are
subject to the following further conditions precedent:

          A.  Agent shall have received before that Funding Date, in accordance
with the provisions of subsection 2.1B, an originally executed Notice of
Borrowing, in each case signed by the chief executive officer, the chief
financial officer or the treasurer of Company or by any executive officer of
Company designated by any of the above-described officers on behalf of Company
in a writing delivered to Agent.

          B.  As of that Funding Date:

          (i) The representations and warranties contained herein and in the
          other Loan Documents shall be true, correct and complete in all
          material respects on and as of that Funding Date to the same extent as
          though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such
          representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date,
          in which case such representations and warranties shall have been
          true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as of such
          earlier date;

          (ii) No event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
          from the consummation of the borrowing contemplated by such Notice of
          Borrowing that would constitute an Event of Default or a Potential
          Event of Default;

          (iii) Each Loan Party shall have performed in all material respects
          all agreements and satisfied all conditions which this Agreement
          provides shall be performed or satisfied by it on or before that
          Funding Date;

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<PAGE>

          (iv) No order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or
          governmental authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Lender
          from making the Loans to be made by it on that Funding Date;

          (v) The making of the Loans requested on such Funding Date shall not
          violate any law including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X
          of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

          (vi) There shall not be pending or, to the knowledge of Company,
          threatened, any action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation
          or arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its Subsidiaries
          or any property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has not
          been disclosed by Company in writing pursuant to subsection 5.6 or
          6.1(x) prior to the making of the last preceding Loans (or, in the
          case of the initial Loans, prior to the execution of this Agreement),
          and there shall have occurred no development not so disclosed in any
          such action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or
          arbitration so disclosed, that, in either event, in the opinion of
          Agent or of Requisite Lenders, would be expected to have a Material
          Adverse Effect; and no injunction or other restraining order shall
          have been issued and no hearing to cause an injunction or other
          restraining order to be issued shall be pending or noticed with
          respect to any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enjoin or
          otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or
          obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated by this
          Agreement or the making of Loans hereunder.

4.3  Conditions to Acquisition Loans.

          The obligations of Lenders to make the Acquisition Loans on each
Funding Date are, in addition to the conditions precedent specified in
subsections 4.1 and 4.2, subject to prior or concurrent satisfaction of the
following conditions:

          Agent shall have received prior to that Funding Date an Officers'
Certificate certifying that:

          (i) The contemplated acquisition shall neither be contested nor
          hostile nor opposed by the board of directors of the targeted company
          or business;

          (ii) After giving effect to such acquisition and Indebtedness incurred
          in connection therewith, Company is in pro forma compliance with its
          financial covenants as set forth on a Compliance Certificate attached
          to such Officers' Certificate; provided that for purposes of
                                         --------
          calculating the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, the aggregate earnings
          attributable to acquired businesses or companies whose financials are
          unreviewed and unaudited shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA
          before giving effect to the acquisition;

          (iii)  Upon consummation of such acquisition, Company will be in
          compliance with the provisions of subsections 6.9 and 6.10 with
          respect to any Subsidiary so acquired;

                                       85
<PAGE>

          (iv) In the event such acquisition or series of related acquisitions
          involves a total consideration in excess of $25,000,000, Company has
          obtained Agent's and Requisite Lenders' consents thereto and has
          delivered to Agent and Lenders such historical and pro forma projected
          financial statements (on a quarterly basis for the succeeding 12
          months), sources and uses analysis, pro forma covenant calculations
          and such other due diligence information as was requested by Agent or
          Lenders; and

          (v) Company and its Subsidiaries will not incur or assume in
          connection with any such contemplated acquisition any material
          environmental or other material contingent liability.

4.4  Conditions to Letters of Credit.

          The issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder (whether or not the
applicable Issuing Lender is obligated to issue such Letter of Credit) is
subject to the following conditions precedent:

          A.  On or before the date of issuance of the initial Letter of Credit
pursuant to this Agreement, the initial Loans shall have been made.

          B.  On or before the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, Agent
shall have received, in accordance with the provisions of subsection 3.1B(i), an
originally executed Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit, in each case
signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer or the
treasurer of Company or by any executive officer of Company designated by any of
the above-described officers on behalf of Company in a writing delivered to
Agent, together with all other information specified in subsection 3.1B(i) and
such other documents or information as the applicable Issuing Lender may
reasonably require in connection with the issuance of such Letter of Credit.

          C.  On the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, all conditions
precedent described in subsection 4.2B shall be satisfied to the same extent as
if the issuance of such Letter of Credit were the making of a Loan and the date
of issuance of such Letter of Credit were a Funding Date.

Section 5.  BORROWERS' REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          In order to induce Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make
the Loans, to induce Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit and to induce
other Lenders to purchase participations therein, each Borrower represents and
warrants to each Lender, on the date of this Agreement, on each Funding Date and
on the date of issuance of each Letter of Credit, that the following statements
are true, correct and complete:

5.1  Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing, Business and
     Subsidiaries.

          A.  Organization and Powers. Each Loan Party is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation. Each Loan Party has all requisite corporate power
and authority to own and

                                       86
<PAGE>

operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a
party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.

          B.  Qualification and Good Standing. Each Loan Party is qualified to
do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are
located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except
in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has
not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.

          C.  Conduct of Business. Holdings and Company and their respective
Subsidiaries are engaged only in the businesses permitted to be engaged in
pursuant to subsection 7.14.

          D.  Subsidiaries. All of the Subsidiaries of Company are identified in
Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto, as said Schedule 5.1 may be supplemented from time
------------                         ------------
to time pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6.1(xvii). The capital stock of
each of the Subsidiaries of Company identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto
                                                  ------------
(as so supplemented) is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and none of such capital stock constitutes Margin Stock. Each of
the Subsidiaries of Company identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto (as so
                                          ------------
supplemented) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation set
forth therein, has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted, and is qualified to do business and in good standing
in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to
carry out its business and operations, in each case except where failure to be
so qualified or in good standing or a lack of such corporate power and authority
has not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 5.1 annexed
                                                         ------------
hereto (as so supplemented) correctly sets forth the ownership interest of
Holdings in Company and of Company in each of the Subsidiaries of Company
identified therein.

5.2  Authorization of Borrowing, etc.

          A.  Authorization of Borrowing. The execution, delivery and
performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of each Loan Party that is a party thereto.

          B.  No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by any Loan
Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not (i) violate
any provision of any law or any governmental rule or regulation applicable to
any Loan Party, the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of any
Loan Party or any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of
government binding on any Loan Party, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of
or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, (iii) result in or require the
creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any
Loan Party (other than any Liens created under any of the Loan Documents in
favor of Agent on behalf of Lenders), or (iv) require any approval of
stockholders

                                       87
<PAGE>

or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual Obligation of any
Loan Party, except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or
before the Closing Date.

          C.  Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by
any Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not
require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other
action to, with or by, any federal, state or other governmental authority or
regulatory body, except for (i) filings which have been made, obtained, given or
taken on or before the Closing Date or such later date as may be required by
federal or state securities laws and (ii) such other registrations, consents,
approvals, notices or other actions which have been made, obtained, given or
taken on or before the Closing Date or such later date as may be required by the
applicable governmental authority or regulatory body.

          D.  Binding Obligation. Each of the Loan Documents has been duly
executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the
legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against
such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles
relating to enforceability.

          E.  Valid Issuance of Company Common Stock and Holdings Common Stock.

          (i) Company Common Stock. The Company Common Stock is duly and validly
              --------------------
          issued, fully paid and nonassessable. No stockholder of Company has or
          will have any preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional equity
          Securities of Company. The issuance and sale of Company Common Stock
          has been registered or qualified under applicable federal and state
          securities laws or is exempt therefrom.

          (ii) Holdings Common Stock. All issued and outstanding shares of
               ---------------------
          Holdings Common Stock have been duly and validly issued, fully paid
          and nonassessable. Except as provided in the Stockholders Agreement,
          no stockholder of Holdings has or will have any preemptive rights to
          subscribe for any additional equity Securities of Holdings. Any
          issuance and sale of Holdings Common Stock, upon such issuance and
          sale, will either (a) have been registered or qualified under
          applicable federal and state securities laws or (b) be exempt
          therefrom.

5.3  Financial Condition.

          Company has heretofore delivered to Lenders, at Lenders' request, the
financial statements and information described in subsection 4.1K. All such
statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all
material respects, the financial position (on a consolidated and, where
applicable, consolidating basis) of the entities described in such financial
statements as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and
cash flows (on a consolidated and, where applicable, consolidating basis) of the
entities described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject, in the
case of any such unaudited financial

                                       88
<PAGE>

statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.
None of the Loan Parties has (and none of the Loan Parties will have following
the funding of the initial Loans) any Contingent Obligation, contingent
liability or liability for taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-
term commitment that is not reflected in the foregoing financial statements or
the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1 or the
notes thereto and which in any such case is material in relation to the
business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

5.4  No Material Adverse Change; No Restricted Junior Payments.

          Since December 31, 1997, no event or change has occurred that has
caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has directly or indirectly
declared, ordered, paid or made, or set apart any sum or property for, any
Restricted Junior Payment or agreed to do so except as permitted by subsection
7.5.

5.5  Title to Properties; Liens.

          Holdings, Company and Company's Subsidiaries have (i) good, sufficient
and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (ii) valid
leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal
property), or (iii) good title to (in the case of all other personal property),
all of their respective properties and assets reflected in the financial
statements referred to in subsection 5.3 or in the most recent financial
statements delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1 in each case, except for assets
disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course
of business or as otherwise permitted under subsection 7.7.  Except as permitted
by this Agreement, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.
Schedule 5.5 annexed hereto sets forth all of the Real Property Assets of
------------
Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.

5.6  Litigation; Adverse Facts.

          There are no actions, suits, proceedings, arbitrations or governmental
investigations (whether or not purportedly on behalf of Holdings, Company or any
of Company's Subsidiaries) at law or in equity or before or by any federal,
state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, pending or, to the knowledge of
any Borrower, threatened against or affecting Holdings, Company or any of
Company's Subsidiaries or any property of Holdings, Company or any of Company's
Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Holdings nor Company
nor any of Company's Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of any applicable laws
that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) subject to or in default with respect to
any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any
court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that,
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

                                       89
<PAGE>

5.7  Payment of Taxes.

          Except to the extent permitted by subsection 6.4, all tax returns and
reports of Holdings, Company and Company's Subsidiaries required to be filed by
any of them have been timely filed, and all taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges upon Holdings, Company and Company's Subsidiaries and upon
their respective properties, assets, income, businesses and franchises which are
due and payable have been paid when due and payable.  None of the Borrowers
knows of any proposed tax assessment against Holdings, Company or any of
Company's Subsidiaries which is not being actively contested by Company or such
Subsidiary in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; provided that such
                                                         --------
reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in
conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

5.8  Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse Agreements; Material
     Contracts.

          A.  Neither Holdings nor Company nor any of Company's Subsidiaries is
in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the
obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any of its Contractual
Obligations, and no condition exists that, with the giving of notice or the
lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, except where the
consequences, direct or indirect, of such default or defaults, if any, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect.

          B.  Neither Holdings nor Company nor any of Company's Subsidiaries is
a party to or is otherwise subject to any agreements or instruments or any
charter or other internal restrictions which, individually or in the aggregate,
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          C.  All Material Contracts are in full force and effect and no
material defaults currently exist thereunder.

5.9  Governmental Regulation.

          Neither Holdings nor Company nor any of Company's Subsidiaries is
subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the
Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act or the Investment Company Act of
1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit
its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any
portion of the Obligations unenforceable.

5.10  Securities Activities.

          A.  Neither Holdings nor Company nor any of Company's Subsidiaries is
engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of
extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.

          B.  Following application of the proceeds of each Loan, not more than
25% of the value of the assets (either of any Borrower only or of Company and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of
subsection 7.2 or 7.7 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement
or instrument, between any Borrower and any Lender or any

                                       90
<PAGE>

Affiliate of any Lender, relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of
subsection 8.2, will be Margin Stock.

5.11  Employee Benefit Plans.

          A.  Company and each of its ERISA Affiliates are in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA and
the regulations and published interpretations thereunder and the terms of each
Employee Benefit Plan, and have performed all their material obligations under
each Employee Benefit Plan.

          B.  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur
which could result in any material liability to Company or any of its ERISA
Affiliates.

          C.  Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal
Revenue Code, no Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits
(through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former
employees of Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates.

          D.  In accordance with the most recent actuarial valuation for any
Pension Plan, the amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section
4001(a)(18) of ERISA), individually or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans
(excluding for purposes of such computation any Pension Plans with respect to
which assets exceed benefit liabilities), does not exceed $250,000.

5.12  Certain Fees.

          No broker's or finder's fee or commission will be payable with respect
to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and each
Borrower hereby indemnifies Lenders against, and agrees that it will hold
Lenders harmless from, any claim, demand or liability for any such broker's or
finder's fees alleged to have been incurred in connection herewith or therewith
and any expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of
counsel) arising in connection with any such claim, demand or liability.

5.13  Environmental Protection.

          (i) The operations of Company and each of its Subsidiaries (including,
          without limitation, all operations and conditions at or in the
          Facilities) comply with all Environmental Laws except for any such
          noncompliance which would not reasonably be expected to have a
          Material Adverse Effect;

          (ii) Company and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained all
          Governmental Authorizations under Environmental Laws necessary to
          their respective operations, and all such Governmental Authorizations
          are being maintained in good standing, and Company and each of its
          Subsidiaries are in compliance with such Governmental Authorizations
          except for any such failure to obtain, maintain or comply which would
          not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                                       91
<PAGE>

          (iii) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received (a) any
          notice or claim to the effect that it is or may be liable to any
          Person as a result of or in connection with any Hazardous Materials or
          (b) any letter or request for information under Section 104 of the
          Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
          (42 U.S.C. (S) 9604) or comparable state laws, and, to the best of the
          Borrower's knowledge, none of the operations of Company or any of its
          Subsidiaries is the subject of any federal or state investigation
          relating to or in connection with any Hazardous Materials at any
          Facility or at any other location except for such of the foregoing
          which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
          Effect;

          (iv) none of the operations of Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
          subject to any judicial or administrative proceeding alleging the
          violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws which if
          adversely determined could reasonably be expected to have a Material
          Adverse Effect;

          (v) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their
          respective Facilities or operations are subject to any outstanding
          written order or agreement with any governmental authority or private
          party relating to (a) any actual or potential violation of or
          liability under Environmental Laws or (b) any Environmental Claims
          except for such of the foregoing which would not reasonably be
          expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (vi) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any contingent
          liability in connection with any Release of any Hazardous Materials by
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries except for such of the foregoing
          which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
          Effect;

          (vii) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the best
          knowledge of the Borrower, any predecessor of Company or any of its
          Subsidiaries has filed any notice under any Environmental Law
          indicating past or present treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous
          waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Parts 260-270 or any state
          equivalent except for such of the foregoing which would not reasonably
          be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (viii) no Hazardous Materials exist on, under or about any Facility in
          a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to an
          Environmental Claim having a Material Adverse Effect, and neither
          Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has filed any notice or report of
          a Release of any Hazardous Materials that would reasonably be expected
          to give rise to an Environmental Claim having a Material Adverse
          Effect;

          (ix) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the best
          knowledge of Company, any of their respective predecessors has
          disposed of any Hazardous Materials in a manner that would reasonably
          be expected to give rise to an Environmental Claim having a Material
          Adverse Effect;

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<PAGE>

          (x) to the best knowledge of Company, no underground storage tanks or
          surface impoundments are on or at any Facility that would reasonably
          be expected to give rise to an Environmental Claim having a Material
          Adverse Effect; and

          (xi) no Lien in favor of any Person relating to or in connection with
          any Environmental Claim has been filed or has been attached to any
          Facility except for any such Lien which would not reasonably be
          expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          Notwithstanding anything in this subsection 5.13 to the contrary, no
event or condition has occurred with respect to the Loan Parties relating to any
Environmental Laws or any Release of Hazardous Materials at any Facility or any
other location which, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could
reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

5.14  Employee Matters.

          There is no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened
involving Company or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.15  Solvency.

          Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and, upon the incurrence of
any Obligations by any Borrower on any date on which this representation is
made, will be, Solvent.

5.16  Disclosure.

          No representation or warranty of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
contained in any Loan Document or in any other document, certificate or written
statement furnished to Lenders by or on behalf of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact (known to any Borrower, in the case of any document not furnished
by it) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made.  Any
projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are
based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Borrower to be
reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lenders that such
projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual
results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ
from the projected results.  There are no facts known (or which should upon the
reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to the Borrower (other than matters
of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not
been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements
furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby.

5.17  Matters Relating to Collateral.

          A.  Creation, Perfection and Priority of Liens. The execution and
delivery of the Collateral Documents by Loan Parties, together with (i) the
actions taken on or prior to the date hereof pursuant to subsections 4.1G-I and
(ii) the delivery to Agent of any Pledged

                                       93
<PAGE>

Collateral not delivered to Agent at the time of execution and delivery of the
applicable Collateral Document (all of which Pledged Collateral has been so
delivered) are effective to create in favor of Agent for the benefit of Lenders,
as security for the respective Secured Obligations (as defined in the applicable
Collateral Document in respect of any Collateral), a valid and perfected First
Priority Lien on all of the Collateral, and all filings and other actions
necessary or desirable to perfect and maintain the perfection and First Priority
status of such Liens have been duly made or taken and remain in full force and
effect, other than the filing of any UCC or PPSA financing statements delivered
to Agent for filing (but not yet filed) and the periodic filing of UCC or PPSA
continuation statements in respect of UCC or PPSA financing statements filed by
or on behalf of Agent.

          B.  Governmental Authorizations. No authorization, approval or other
action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Loan Party
of the Liens purported to be created in favor of Agent pursuant to any of the
Collateral Documents or (ii) the exercise by Agent of any rights or remedies in
respect of any Collateral (whether specifically granted or created pursuant to
any of the Collateral Documents or created or provided for by applicable law),
except for filings or recordings contemplated by subsection 5.17A and except as
may be required, in connection with the disposition of any Pledged Collateral,
by laws generally affecting the offering and sale of securities.

          C.  Absence of Third-Party Filings. Except such as may have been filed
in favor of Agent as contemplated by subsection 5.17A and as set forth on
Schedule 7.2 annexed hereto, (i) no effective UCC or PPSA financing statement,
------------
fixture filing or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of
the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording office and (ii) no
effective filing covering all or any part of the IP Collateral is on file in the
PTO.

          D.  Margin Regulations. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant
to the Collateral Documents does not violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

          E.  Information Regarding Collateral. All information supplied to
Agent by or on behalf of any Loan Party with respect to any of the Collateral
(in each case taken as a whole with respect to any particular Collateral) is
accurate and complete in all material respects.

5.18  Year 2000 Compliance.

          On the basis of a comprehensive review and assessment of the systems
and equipment of Company and its Subsidiaries, Company's management is of the
view that the "Year 2000 problem" (that is, the inability of computers, as well
as embedded microchips in non-computing devices, to perform properly date-
sensitive functions with respect to certain dates prior to and after December
31, 1999), including costs of remediation, will not result in a Material Adverse
Effect in the operations, business, properties or condition (financial or
otherwise) of Company or its Subsidiaries.  Company's management is of the view
that Company has developed feasible contingency plans that adequately ensure
uninterrupted and

                                       94
<PAGE>

unimpaired business operation in the event of failure of its own systems or
equipment due to the Year 2000 problem.

5.19  Water Availability.

          Sufficient water is available and is projected to be available, from
verifiable surface and ground water sources sufficient to conduct operations as
described in the most recent financial plan submitted by the Company to Agent.

Section 6.  BORROWERS' AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the
Commitments hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of
the Loans and other Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all
Letters of Credit, unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written
consent, such Borrower shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to perform, all covenants in this Section 6.

6.1  Financial Statements and Other Reports.

          Each Borrower will maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to
maintain, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with
sound business practices to permit preparation of financial statements in
conformity with GAAP.  Company will deliver to Agent and Lenders:

          (i) Monthly Financials: as soon as available and in any event within
              ------------------
          30 days after the end of each month ending after the Closing Date, (a)
          the consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Company and its
          Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as at
          the end of such month and the related consolidated and consolidating
          statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Company
          and its Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
          for such month and for the period from the beginning of the then
          current Fiscal Year to the end of such month, setting forth in each
          case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
          corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the
          corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal
          Year, to the extent prepared on a monthly basis, all in reasonable
          detail and certified by the chief financial officer of Company that
          they fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition
          of Company and its Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers and their
          Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their
          operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to
          changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments, and (b)
          a narrative report describing the operations of Company and its
          Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in the
          form prepared for presentation to senior management for such month and
          for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to
          the end of such month;

          (ii) Quarterly Financials: as soon as available and in any event
               --------------------
          within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, (a) the
          consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Company and its
          Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers and

                                       95
<PAGE>

          their Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the
          related consolidated and consolidating statements of income,
          stockholders' equity and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries
          and of Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for such Fiscal
          Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current
          Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each
          case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
          corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the
          corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal
          Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial
          officer of Company that they fairly present, in all material respects,
          the financial condition of Company and its Subsidiaries and of
          Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated
          and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the
          periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal
          year-end adjustments, and (b) a narrative report describing the
          operations of Company and its Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers
          and their Subsidiaries in the form prepared for presentation to senior
          management for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the
          beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal
          Quarter;

          (iii) Year-End Financials: as soon as available and in any event
                -------------------
          within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, (a) the consolidated
          and consolidating balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries and
          of Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as at the end of such
          Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and consolidating statements
          of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Company and its
          Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for such
          Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
          corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the
          corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year
          covered by such financial statements, all in reasonable detail and
          certified by the chief financial officer of Company that they fairly
          present, in all material respects, the financial condition of Company
          and its Subsidiaries and of Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
          as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and
          their cash flows for the periods indicated, (b) a narrative report
          describing the operations of Company and its Subsidiaries and of
          Canadian Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in the form prepared for
          presentation to senior management for such Fiscal Year, and (c) in the
          case of such consolidated financial statements of Company and its
          Subsidiaries, (1) a report thereon of a nationally recognized
          independent accounting firm, which report shall be unqualified as to
          the scope of the audit, shall express no doubts about the ability of
          Company and its Subsidiaries to continue as a going concern, and shall
          state that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in
          all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Company
          and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of
          their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in
          conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years
          (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that
          the examination by such accountants in connection with such
          consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with
          generally accepted auditing standards and (2) a letter from such
          accounting firm, substantially in the form of Exhibit X annexed hereto
                                                        ---------

                                       96
<PAGE>

          with such changes as are approved by Agent, acknowledging that Lenders
          will receive such consolidated financial statements in such report and
          will use such financial statements and report in their credit analyses
          of Company and its Subsidiaries;

          (iv) Officers' and Compliance Certificates: together with each
               -------------------------------------
          delivery of financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries
          pursuant to subdivisions (ii) and (iii) above, (a) an Officers'
          Certificate of Company stating that the signers have reviewed the
          terms of this Agreement and have made, or caused to be made under
          their supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions
          and condition of Company and its Subsidiaries during the accounting
          period covered by such financial statements and that such review has
          not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting
          period, and that the signers do not have knowledge of the existence as
          at the date of such Officers' Certificate, of any condition or event
          that constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default,
          or, if any such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the
          nature and period of existence thereof and what action Borrower has
          taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto; and (b) a
          Compliance Certificate demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance
          during and at the end of the applicable accounting periods with the
          restrictions contained in Section 7 and calculating the Consolidated
          Leverage Ratio as of the last day such immediately preceding Fiscal
          Quarter for purposes of determining the Applicable Base Rate Margin
          and the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin;

          (v) Reconciliation Statements: if, as a result of any change in
              -------------------------
          accounting principles and policies from those in effect on the Closing
          date, the consolidated financial statements of Company and its
          Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to subdivisions (i), (ii), (iii) or
          (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 will differ in any material respect from
          the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered
          pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting
          principles and policies been made, then (a) together with the first
          delivery of financial statements pursuant to subdivision (i), (ii),
          (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 following such change,
          consolidated financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries for
          (y) the current Fiscal Year to the effective date of such change and
          (z) the two full Fiscal Years immediately preceding the Fiscal Year in
          which such change is made, in each case prepared on a pro forma basis
          as if such change had been in effect during such periods, and (b)
          together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to
          subdivision (i), (ii), (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1
          following such change, a written statement of the chief accounting
          officer or chief financial officer of Company setting forth the
          differences (including without limitation any differences that would
          affect any calculations relating to the financial covenants set forth
          in subsection 7.6) which would have resulted if such financial
          statements had been prepared without giving effect to such change;

          (vi) Accountants' Certification: together with each delivery of
               --------------------------
          consolidated financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries
          pursuant to subdivision (iii) above, a written statement by the
          independent certified public accountants giving

                                       97
<PAGE>

          the report thereon (a) stating that their audit examination has
          included a review of the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
          Documents as they relate to accounting matters, (b) stating whether,
          in connection with their audit examination, any condition or event
          that constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has
          come to their attention and, if such a condition or event has come to
          their attention, specifying the nature and period of existence
          thereof; provided that such accountants shall not be liable by reason
                   --------
          of any failure to obtain knowledge of any such Event of Default or
          Potential Event of Default that would not be disclosed in the course
          of their audit examination, and (c) stating that based on their audit
          examination nothing has come to their attention that causes them to
          believe either or both that the information contained in the
          certificates delivered therewith pursuant to subdivision (iv) above is
          not correct or that the matters set forth in the Compliance
          Certificates delivered therewith pursuant to clause (b) of subdivision
          (iv) above for the applicable Fiscal Year are not stated in accordance
          with the terms of this Agreement;

          (vii) Accountants' Reports: promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of
                --------------------
          all reports submitted to Company by independent certified public
          accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit
          of the financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries made by
          such accountants, including, without limitation, any comment letter
          submitted by such accountants to management in connection with their
          annual audit;

          (viii) SEC Filings and Press Releases: promptly upon their becoming
                 ------------------------------
          available, copies of (a) all financial statements, reports, notices
          and proxy statements sent or made available generally by Holdings or
          Company to its security holders or by any Subsidiary of Company to its
          security holders other than Holdings or Company or another Subsidiary
          of Company, (b) all regular and periodic reports and all registration
          statements (other than on Form S-8 or a similar form) and
          prospectuses, if any, filed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries with
          any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission
          or any governmental or private regulatory authority, and (c) all press
          releases and other statements made available generally by Holdings or
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material
          developments in the business of Holdings or Company or any of its
          Subsidiaries;

          (ix) Events of Default, etc.: promptly upon any officer of Holdings or
               ----------------------
          any Borrower obtaining knowledge (a) of any condition or event that
          constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, or
          becoming aware that any Lender has given any notice (other than to
          Agent) or taken any other action with respect to a claimed Event of
          Default or Potential Event of Default, (b) that any Person has given
          any notice to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or taken any other
          action with respect to a claimed default or event or condition of the
          type referred to in subsection 8.2, (c) of any condition or event that
          would be required to be disclosed in a current report filed by Company
          with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K (Items 1, 2,
          4, 5 and 6 of such Form as in effect on the date hereof) if Company
          were required to file such reports under the

                                       98
<PAGE>

          Exchange Act, and (d) of the occurrence of any event or change that
          has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a
          Material Adverse Effect, an Officers' Certificate specifying the
          nature and period of existence of such condition, event or change, or
          specifying the notice given or action taken by any such Person and the
          nature of such claimed Event of Default, Potential Event of Default,
          default, event or condition, and what action Borrower has taken, is
          taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;

          (x) Litigation or Other Proceedings: (a) promptly upon any officer of
              -------------------------------
          any Borrower obtaining knowledge of (X) the institution of, or non-
          frivolous threat of, any action, suit, proceeding (whether
          administrative, judicial or otherwise), governmental investigation or
          arbitration against or affecting Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries
          or any property of Holdings, Company or any of its Subsidiaries
          (collectively, "Proceedings") not previously disclosed in writing by
          Company to Lenders or (Y) any material development in any Proceeding
          that, in any case:

                     (1)  if adversely determined, has a reasonable possibility
              of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect; or

                     (2) seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation
              of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the
              transactions contemplated hereby;

          written notice thereof together with such other information as may be
          reasonably available to any Borrower to enable Lenders and their
          counsel to evaluate such matters; and (b) within twenty days after the
          end of each Fiscal Quarter, a schedule of all Proceedings involving an
          alleged liability of, or claims against or affecting, Holdings,
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries equal to or greater than $500,000,
          and promptly after request by Agent such other information as may be
          reasonably requested by Agent to enable Agent and its counsel to
          evaluate any of such Proceedings;

          (xi) ERISA Events: promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of
               ------------
          or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written notice
          specifying the nature thereof, what action Company or any of its ERISA
          Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect
          thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the
          Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with
          respect thereto;

          (xii) ERISA Notices: with reasonable promptness, copies of (a) each
                -------------
          Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500
          ----------
          Series) filed by Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates with the
          Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan; (b) all
          notices received by Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a
          Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event; and (c) such
          other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any
          Employee Benefit Plan as Agent shall reasonably request;

                                       99
<PAGE>

          (xiii) Financial Plans: as soon as practicable and in any event no
                 ---------------
          later than 30 days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year, a
          consolidated and consolidating plan and financial forecast for such
          Fiscal Year (the "Financial Plan" for such Fiscal Year) and a
          consolidated and consolidating plan and financial forecast for each
          succeeding Fiscal Year through the term of this Agreement, including
          without limitation (a) a forecasted consolidated and consolidating
          balance sheet and forecasted consolidated and consolidating statements
          of income and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for such
          Fiscal Years, together with a pro forma Compliance Certificate for
                                        --- -----
          such Fiscal Years and an explanation of the assumptions on which such
          forecasts are based, and (b) forecasted consolidated and consolidating
          statements of income, balance sheets and cash flows of Company and its
          Subsidiaries for each month of the first such Fiscal Year, together
          with an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are
          based;

          (xiv) Insurance: as soon as practicable and in any event by the last
                ---------
          day of each Fiscal Year, a report in form and substance satisfactory
          to Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of
          the date of such report by Company and its Subsidiaries including
          without limitation directors and officers insurance and all material
          insurance coverage planned to be maintained by Company and its
          Subsidiaries in the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year and confirming
          the status of Agent as loss payee under all such insurance to the
          extent required by subsection 6.4;

          (xv) Environmental Audits and Reports: as soon as practicable
               --------------------------------
          following receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits and
          reports, whether prepared by personnel of Company or any of its
          Subsidiaries or by independent consultants, with respect to
          significant environmental matters at any Facility or which relate to
          an Environmental Claim in either case which could reasonably be
          expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

          (xvi) Board of Directors: with reasonable promptness, written notice
                ------------------
          of any change in the Board of Directors of Company;

          (xvii) New Subsidiaries: promptly upon any Person becoming a
                 ----------------
          Subsidiary of Company, a written notice setting forth with respect to
          such Person (a) the date on which such Person became a Subsidiary of
          Company and (b) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedule
                                                                      --------
          5.1 annexed hereto with respect to all Subsidiaries of Company (it
          ---
          being understood that such written notice shall be deemed to
          supplement Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto for all purposes of this
                     ------------
          Agreement);

          (xviii) Material Contracts: promptly, and in any event within 10
                  ------------------
          Business Days after any Material Contract of any Borrower or any of
          its Subsidiaries is terminated or amended in a manner that is
          materially adverse to Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
          or any new Material Contract is entered into, a written statement
          describing such event with copies of such material amendments

                                      100
<PAGE>

          or new contracts, and an explanation of any actions being taken with
          respect thereto; and

          (xix) UCC Search Report: As promptly as practicable after the date of
                -----------------
          delivery to Agent of any UCC (or PPSA) financing statement executed by
          any Loan Party pursuant to subsection 4.1I(iv), copies of completed
          UCC (or PPSA) searches evidencing the proper filing, recording and
          indexing of all such UCC (or PPSA) financing statement and listing all
          other effective financing statements that name such Loan Party as
          debtor, together with copies of all such other financing statements
          not previously delivered to Agent by or on behalf of Company or such
          Loan Party; and

          (xx) Other Information: with reasonable promptness, such other
               -----------------
          information and data with respect to Company or any of its
          Subsidiaries (i) as from time to time may be reasonably requested by
          any Lender, including without limitation the amount of expenses
          incurred to date to address the Year 2000 problem, updates if Company
          materially changes its plan to address the Year 2000 problem or incurs
          a material amount of additional expenses addressing the Year 2000
          problem, any third party assessment of Company's Year 2000 remediation
          efforts if such assessment contains information materially different
          from information previously provided to Agent and Lenders, and any
          year 2000 contingency plans and (ii) upon any officer of Company or
          its Subsidiaries obtaining knowledge of a material adverse change in
          the amount of water available and projected to be available to conduct
          sufficiently the operations as described in the Company's most recent
          Financial Plan, to deliver to Agent a notice with respect to such
          material adverse change.

6.2  Corporate Existence, etc.

          Except as permitted under subsection 7.7, Holdings will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force
and effect its corporate existence and all rights and franchises material to its
business.

6.3  Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation.

          A.  Holdings will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay all
taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or any of its
properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses or
franchises before any penalty accrues thereon, and all claims (including,
without limitation, claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums
that have become due and payable and that by law have or may become a Lien upon
any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any material penalty or
fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided that no such charge or
claim need be paid if being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
promptly instituted and diligently conducted and if such reserve or other
appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP
shall have been made therefor.

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<PAGE>

          B.  Holdings will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax return with any
Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

6.4  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.

          Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, all of their respective material properties
used or useful in the business of Company and its Subsidiaries (including,
without limitation, Intellectual Property) and from time to time will make or
cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof.
Each Borrower will maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound
and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business
and the properties and businesses of its Subsidiaries against loss or damage of
the kinds customarily carried or maintained under similar circumstances by
corporations of established reputation engaged in similar businesses.  Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower will maintain or cause
to be maintained (i) flood insurance with respect to each Additional Flood
Hazard Property (as defined in subsection 6.10A), in each case to the extent
such Initial Flood Hazard Property or Additional Flood Hazard Property is
located in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program
and (ii) public liability insurance, third party property damage insurance and
replacement value insurance on the Collateral (other than growing crops) under
such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts and
covering such risks as are at all times satisfactory to Agent in its
commercially reasonable judgment.  Each such policy of insurance that insures
against loss or damage with respect to any Collateral or against losses due to
business interruption shall name Agent for the benefit of Lenders as the loss
payee thereunder for any covered loss in excess of $500,000 and shall provide
for at least 30 days (15 days in the event of non-payment of premium) prior
written notice to Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy.
Upon receipt by Agent of any insurance proceeds as loss payee (i) in respect of
any such business interruption insurance, (a) Agent shall, so long as no Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
deliver such insurance proceeds to Company, and (b) if an Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Agent shall,
and each Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to, apply such Net
Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to prepay the Loans as provided in subsection
2.4B(iii)(b) and (ii) in respect of any such insurance against loss or damage
with respect to any Collateral, (a) to the extent that any Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries intends to use any such insurance proceeds to repair, restore
or replace the assets of such Borrower or Subsidiary in respect of which such
insurance proceeds were received, Agent shall, so long as no Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) in the
event the aggregate amount of such insurance proceeds in respect of any covered
loss does not exceed $1,000,000, deliver such insurance proceeds to such
Borrower, and such Borrower shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, use such
insurance proceeds to effect such repair, restoration or replacement, and (B) in
the event the aggregate amount of such insurance proceeds exceeds $1,000,000,
hold such proceeds in a cash collateral account and so long as Company or any of
its Subsidiaries proceeds to repair, restore or replace the assets of Company or
such Subsidiary in respect of which such insurance proceeds were received, Agent
shall from time to time disburse to Company or such Subsidiary amounts necessary
to pay the cost of such repair, restoration or replacement after the receipt by
Agent of invoices or other documentation reasonably

                                      102
<PAGE>

satisfactory to Agent describing the amount of costs so incurred; provided
                                                                  --------
however that if in the reasonable good faith belief of Agent, Company or such
-------
Subsidiary is not proceeding diligently with the repair, restoration or
replacement, Agent shall, and each Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to, apply
such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to prepay the Loans as provided in
subsection 2.4B(iii)(b) and (b) if an Event of Default or Potential Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing or to the extent that neither
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries intends to use any such insurance proceeds
to repair, restore or replace assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries as
described above, Agent shall, and each Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to,
apply such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to prepay the Loans as provided
in subsection 2.4B(iii)(b).

6.5  Inspection; Lender Meeting.

          Each Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
permit any authorized representatives designated by any Lender to visit and
inspect any of the properties of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including
its and their financial and accounting records, and to make copies and take
extracts therefrom, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and accounts
with its and their officers and independent public accountants (provided that
Company may, if it so chooses, be present at or participate in any such
discussion).  Without in any way limiting the foregoing, Company will, upon the
request of Agent or Requisite Lenders, participate in a meeting of Agent and
Lenders once during each Fiscal Year to be held at Company's corporate offices
(or such other location as may be agreed to by Company and Agent) at such time
as may be agreed to by Company and Agent.

6.6  Compliance with Laws, etc.

          Holdings shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply
with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of
any governmental authority, noncompliance with which could reasonably be
expected to cause, individually or in the aggregate at any time, a Material
Adverse Effect.

6.7  Environmental Disclosure and Inspection.

          A.  Each Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
exercise all due diligence in order to comply in all material respects and cause
(i) all tenants under any leases or occupancy agreements affecting any portion
of the Facilities and (ii) all other Persons on or occupying such property, to
comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws.

          B.  Each Borrower agrees that Agent may, from time to time and in its
reasonable discretion, retain, at Company's expense, an independent professional
consultant to review any report relating to Hazardous Materials prepared by or
for Company and its Subsidiaries and, upon a reasonable belief that any Borrower
has breached any covenant or representation with respect to environmental
matters or that there has been a material violation of Environmental Laws at any
Facility or by any Borrower, to conduct its own reasonable investigation of such
matter at any Facility currently owned, leased, operated or used by Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, and Company agrees to use its best efforts to obtain
permission for Agent's professional consultant to conduct its own investigation
of any such

                                      103
<PAGE>

matter at any Facility previously owned, leased, operated or used by Company or
any of its Subsidiaries. Company hereby grants to Agent and its agents,
employees, consultants and contractors the right to enter into or on to the
Facilities currently owned, leased, operated or used by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries upon reasonable notice to Borrower to perform such assessments on
such property as are reasonably necessary to conduct such a review and/or
investigation. Any such investigation of any Facility shall be conducted, unless
otherwise agreed to by Company and Agent, during normal business hours and, to
the extent reasonably practicable, shall be conducted so as not to interfere
with the ongoing operations at any such Facility or to cause any damage or loss
to any property at such Facility. Borrower and Agent hereby acknowledge and
agree that any report of any investigation conducted at the request of Agent
pursuant to this subsection 6.7B will be obtained and shall be used by Agent and
Lenders for the purposes of Lenders' internal credit decisions, to monitor and
police the Loans and to protect Lenders' security interests, if any, created by
the Loan Documents. Agent agrees to deliver a copy of any such report to Company
with the understanding that each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) it
will indemnify and hold harmless Agent and each Lender from any costs, losses or
liabilities relating to such Borrower's use of or reliance on such report, (ii)
neither Agent nor any Lender makes any representation or warranty with respect
to such report, and (iii) by delivering such report to Company, neither Agent
nor any Lender is requiring or recommending the implementation of any
suggestions or recommendations contained in such report.

          C.  Each Borrower shall promptly advise Lenders in writing and in
reasonable detail of (i) any material Release of any Hazardous Materials
required to be reported to any federal, state or local governmental or
regulatory agency under any applicable Environmental Laws, (ii) any and all
written communications with respect to any Environmental Claims that have a
reasonable possibility of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect or with
respect to any material Release of Hazardous Materials required to be reported
to any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory agency, (iii) any
remedial action taken by such Borrower or any other Person in response to (x)
any Hazardous Materials on, under or about any Facility, the existence of which
has a reasonable possibility of resulting in an Environmental Claim having a
Material Adverse Effect, or (y) any Environmental Claim that could have a
Material Adverse Effect, (iv) such Borrower's discovery of any occurrence or
condition on any real property adjoining or in the vicinity of any Facility that
could cause such Facility or any part thereof to be subject to any material
restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability or use thereof under
any Environmental Laws, and (v) any request for information from any
governmental agency that suggests such agency is investigating whether such
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may be potentially responsible for a Release
of Hazardous Materials.

          D.  Each Borrower shall promptly notify Lenders of (i) any proposed
acquisition of stock, assets, or property by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
that could reasonably be expected to expose Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to, or result in, Environmental Claims that could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect or that could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on any Governmental Authorization then held by Company
or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) any proposed action to be taken by Company
or any of its Subsidiaries to commence manufacturing, industrial or other
operations that could reasonably be expected to subject Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to material additional obligations or requirements under
Environmental Laws.

                                      104
<PAGE>

          E.  Each Borrower shall, at its own expense, provide copies of such
documents or information as Agent may reasonably request in relation to any
matters disclosed pursuant to this subsection 6.7.

6.8  Company's Remedial Action Regarding Hazardous Materials.

          Company shall promptly take, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
promptly to take, any and all remedial action in connection with the presence,
storage, use, disposal, transportation or Release of any Hazardous Materials on,
under or about any Facility in order to comply in all material respects with all
applicable Environmental Laws and Governmental Authorizations.  In the event
Company or any of its Subsidiaries undertakes any remedial action with respect
to any Hazardous Materials on, under or about any Facility, Company or such
Subsidiary shall conduct and complete such remedial action in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, and in accordance with
the policies, orders and directives of all federal, state and local governmental
authorities except when, and only to the extent that, Company's or such
Subsidiary's liability for such presence, storage, use, disposal, transportation
or discharge of any Hazardous Materials is being contested in good faith by
Company or such Subsidiary.

6.9  Execution of Guaranties and Collateral Documents by Future Subsidiaries.

          A.  Execution of Domestic Subsidiary Guaranty and Collateral
Documents. In the event that any Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary of Company
after the date hereof, Company will promptly notify Agent of that fact and cause
such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Agent a counterpart of the Domestic
Subsidiary Guaranty and a Domestic Subsidiary Pledge Agreement, a Domestic
Subsidiary Security Agreement, a Domestic Subsidiary Trademark Security
Agreement (if required by Agent), a Domestic Subsidiary Patent Security
Agreement (if required by Agent) and (if applicable) Additional Mortgages and to
take all such further action and execute all such further documents and
instruments as may be reasonably required to grant and perfect in favor of
Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, a first-priority security interest in all of
the shares of capital stock of such Subsidiary and all of the Real Property
Assets and all of the personal property assets of such Subsidiary described in
the applicable Collateral Documents.

          B.  Execution of Canadian Subsidiary Guaranty and Collateral
Documents. In the event that any Person becomes a Canadian Subsidiary of Company
after the date hereof, Company will promptly notify Agent of that fact and cause
such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Agent a counterpart of the Canadian
Subsidiary Guaranty and a Canadian Subsidiary Pledge Agreement, a Canadian
Subsidiary Security Agreement, a Canadian Subsidiary Trademark Security
Agreement, a Canadian Subsidiary Patent Security Agreement and (if applicable)
Additional Mortgages and to take all such further action and execute all such
further documents and instruments as may be reasonably required to grant and
perfect in favor of Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, a first-priority security
interest in all (if such Canadian Subsidiary is owned by a Canadian Subsidiary)
or not less than two-thirds (if such Canadian Subsidiary is owned by a Domestic
Subsidiary) of the shares of capital stock of such Subsidiary and all of the
Real Property Assets and all of the personal property assets of such Subsidiary
described in the applicable Collateral Documents. After the Closing Date, any
Canadian

                                      105
<PAGE>

Subsidiary acquired by Company shall be a direct Subsidiary of Company or a
Domestic Subsidiary and the Canadian Subsidiary Guaranty and the Canadian
Collateral Documents executed by any such acquired Subsidiary shall be revised
in such respects as are deemed reasonably necessary or appropriate by Agent, or
such acquired Subsidiary shall take such other actions as may be reasonably
requested by Agent, to provide the maximum benefits under such Loan Documents to
the Lenders taking into account any applicable financial assistance laws in
effect in Canada or any applicable province thereof.

          C.  Subsidiary Charter Documents, Legal Opinions, Etc. Company shall
deliver to Agent, together with the applicable Guaranty and such Collateral
Documents, (i) certified copies of such Subsidiary's Articles or Certificate of
Incorporation, together with a good standing certificate from the Secretary of
State of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, each to be dated a recent date
prior to their delivery to Agent, (ii) a copy of such Subsidiary's Bylaws,
certified by its corporate secretary or an assistant corporate secretary as of a
recent date prior to their delivery to Agent, (iii) a certificate executed by
the secretary or an assistant secretary of such Subsidiary as to (a) the
incumbency and signatures of the officers of such Subsidiary executing such
Guaranty and the Collateral Documents to which such Subsidiary is a party and
(b) the fact that the attached resolutions of the Board of Directors of such
Subsidiary authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of such Guaranty
and such Collateral Documents are in full force and effect and have not been
modified or rescinded, and (iv) a favorable opinion of counsel to such
Subsidiary, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, as to
(a) the due organization and good standing of such Subsidiary, (b) the due
authorization, execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of such Guaranty and
such Collateral Documents, (c) the enforceability of such Guaranty and such
Collateral Documents against such Subsidiary, and (d) such other matters as
Agent may reasonably request, all of the foregoing to be satisfactory in form
and substance to Agent and its counsel.

6.10  Additional Mortgages.

          A.  From and after the Closing Date, in the event that (i) any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries acquires any Fee Property or any Material
Leasehold (each a "Covered Real Property Asset") or (ii) at the time any Person
becomes a Subsidiary of any Borrower, such Person owns or holds any Covered Real
Property Asset, such Borrower or such Subsidiary shall, as soon as practicable
after the acquisition of such Covered Real Property Asset or such Person's
becoming a Subsidiary of any Borrower, as the case may be, deliver (a) fully
executed counterparts of Mortgages (each an "Additional Mortgage" and
collectively, the "Additional Mortgages") encumbering such Covered Real Property
Asset, together with evidence that counterparts of such Additional Mortgages
have been recorded in all places to the extent necessary or desirable, in the
reasonable judgment of Agent, so as to effectively create a valid and
enforceable first priority lien (or such other priority lien as may be specified
in the applicable Additional Mortgage), subject to Permitted Encumbrances, on
such Covered Real Property Asset in favor of Agent (or such other trustee as may
be required or desired under local law) for the benefit of Lenders; (b) a title
report obtained by Company in respect of any such Covered Real Property Asset
located in the United States (a "U.S. Covered Real Property Asset"); (c) with
respect to U.S. Covered Real Property Assets only, if required by Agent, an
opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent) in
the state in which such U.S. Covered Real Property Asset is located with respect
to the enforceability of the form of Additional

                                      106
<PAGE>

Mortgage recorded in such state and such other matters as Agent may reasonably
request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (d) in the case
of each such Covered Real Property Asset consisting of a Material Leasehold,
Borrower or its Subsidiary shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain such
estoppel letters from the landlord on such Material Leasehold as may be
reasonably requested by Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Agent; (e) unless waived by Agent, in the case of each such Covered Real
Property Asset consisting of a Fee Property or a Material Leasehold,
environmental audits prepared by professional consultants mutually acceptable to
Company and Agent, in form, scope and substance satisfactory to Agent in its
reasonable discretion; (f) with respect to U.S. Covered Real Property Assets
only, if required by Agent, in the case of each such U.S. Covered Real Property
Asset consisting of a Fee Property or a Material Leasehold, a Title Policy; (g)
with respect to U.S. Covered Real Property Assets only, evidence, which may be
in the form of a letter from an insurance broker, a municipal engineer, title
company or national flood certification form, as to whether (1) such U.S.
Covered Real Property Asset (an "Additional Flood Hazard Property") is in an
area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special
flood or mud slide hazards and (2) the community in which such U.S. Covered Real
Property Asset (if it is an Additional Flood Hazard Property) is located is
participating in the National Flood Insurance Program; and (h) if such U.S.
Covered Real Property Asset is an Additional Flood Hazard Property, Company's
written acknowledgement of receipt of written notification from Agent (1) as to
the existence of such Additional Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the
community in which such Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the
National Flood Insurance Program.

          B.  Each Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
permit any authorized representatives designated by Agent, upon reasonable
notice, to visit and inspect any Covered Real Property Asset for the purpose of
obtaining an appraisal of value, conducted by consultants retained by Agent in
compliance with all applicable banking regulations, with respect to such Covered
Real Property Asset.

          C.  To the extent that Company is unable to comply with the preceding
subsections 6.10A and 6.10B as of the First Amendment Effective Date with
respect to the Lovell Farms Acquisition and the Agent has agreed to defer such
compliance, (the "Deferred Real Property Collateral"), then Company hereby
agrees that within 45 days of the First Amendment Effective Date Company will
have complied with all of the requirements of subsections 6.10A and 6.10B with
respect to such Deferred Real Property Collateral. In addition, Company hereby
agrees that within 45 days of the First Amendment Effective Date, Company and
each applicable Subsidiary Guarantor will have executed and delivered all such
amendments, modifications and supplements to the existing Mortgages, and all
such confirmations of, or amendments, modifications and supplements to, any
landlord consents or estoppel certificates with respect to existing Mortgages on
Material Leaseholds, as are necessary or appropriate in the opinion of the Agent
to reflect the transactions contemplated by the First Amendment.

                                      107
<PAGE>

6.11  Supplemental Actions Relating to Closing Date Mortgages; Closing Date
      Mortgage Policies; Etc.

          A.  Title Insurance. Within 30 days after the Closing Date, Company
shall have delivered to Agent (a) ALTA mortgagee title insurance policies or
unconditional marked pro forma commitments therefor (the "Closing Date Mortgage
Policies") issued by the title company with respect to each Closing Date
Mortgaged Properties so identified in Schedule 5.5 annexed hereto, in amounts
                                      ------------
not less than the respective amounts designated therein with respect to any
particular Closing Date Mortgaged Properties, insuring fee simple title to, or a
valid leasehold interest in, each such Closing Date Mortgaged Property vested in
such Loan Party and assuring Agent that the applicable Closing Date Mortgages
create valid and enforceable First Priority mortgage Liens on the respective
Closing Date Mortgaged Properties encumbered thereby, subject only to a standard
survey exception, which Closing Date Mortgage Policies (1) shall include an
endorsement for mechanics' liens, for future advances under this Agreement and
for any other matters reasonably requested by Agent and (2) shall provide for
affirmative insurance and such reinsurance as Agent may reasonably request, all
of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent; and (b)
evidence satisfactory to Agent that such Loan Party has (i) delivered to the
title company all certificates and affidavits required by the title company in
connection with the issuance of the Closing Date Mortgage Policies and (ii) paid
to the title company or to the appropriate governmental authorities all expenses
and premiums of the title company in connection with the issuance of the Closing
Date Mortgage Policies and all recording and stamp taxes (including mortgage
recording and intangible taxes) payable in connection with recording the Closing
Date Mortgages in the appropriate real estate records.

          B.  Environmental Indemnity. If requested by Agent or Syndication
Agent, Company shall deliver an environmental indemnity agreement within 30 days
after the Closing Date, satisfactory in form and substance to Agent and
Syndication Agent and their counsel, with respect to the indemnification of
Agent and Lenders for any liabilities that may be imposed on or incurred by any
of them as a result of any Hazardous Materials Activity with respect to any
Closing Date Mortgage.

          C.  Matters Relating to Flood hazard Properties. Within 30 days after
the Closing Date, Company and each applicable Subsidiary Guarantor shall deliver
to Agent (a) evidence, which may be in the form of a letter from an insurance
broker or a municipal engineer, as to whether (1) any Closing Date Mortgaged
Property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) the community in which any such
Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood
Insurance Program, (b) if there are any such Flood Hazard Properties, such Loan
Party's written acknowledgement of receipt of written notification from Agent
(1) as to the existence of each such Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether
the community in which each such Flood Hazard Property is located is
participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, and (c) in the event any
such Flood Hazard Property is located in a community that participates in the
National Flood Insurance Program, evidence that Company has obtained flood
insurance in respect of such Flood Hazard Property to the extent required under
the applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.

                                      108
<PAGE>

6.12  Supplemental Actions Relating to Existing Mortgages; Etc.

          A.  Title Opinions of Canadian Counsel. Within 30 days after the
Closing Date, in each Canadian jurisdiction in which an Existing Mortgaged
Property is located, Company shall deliver to Agent an opinion of Canadian
counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent) insuring fee
simple title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, each such Existing Mortgaged
Property located in Canada, as amended by the amendments, are vested in such
Loan Party, and assuring Agent that the applicable Existing Mortgages, as
amended, are valid and enforceable First Priority Mortgage Liens on the
respective Existing Mortgaged Properties encumbered thereby, and such other
matters as Agent may reasonably request, in each case in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

          B.  Landlord Consents. Within 30 days after the Closing Date, with
respect to each Material Leasehold, Company shall deliver to Agent the consent
of each landlord to the amendment of the Existing Mortgages; provided that, with
                                                             -------- ----
respect to each Material Leasehold, Company shall use its best efforts to
deliver any landlord consents within the 30-day period described above and if,
after using best efforts, Company is unable to deliver all of the necessary
consents, at the request of Agent, Company shall use its best efforts to deliver
the necessary consents, for such Material Leaseholds as Agent shall designate,
within 30 days (or such longer period as Agent may determine from time to time)
after the expiration of the 30-day period described above.

          C.  Water Rights Legal Opinion. Within 30 days after the Closing Date,
Company shall deliver to Agent originally executed copies of a legal opinion
which states that, after the corporate restructuring contemplated in the
recitals to this Agreement, the surviving entities will continue to review the
benefits of existing federal subsidies of water rights currently received in
connection with certain real property located in Washington County, Oregon
(which property is more commonly known as the Blooming Farm Property).

6.13  Assignability and Recording of Lease Agreements.

          From and after the Closing Date, in the event that any Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries enters into any lease that is a Material Leasehold, such
Borrower shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, (i) obtain lease terms
permitting (or not expressly prohibiting) the encumbrancing of such Material
Leasehold pursuant to an Additional Mortgage and the assignment of such Material
Leasehold interest to the successful bidder at a foreclosure or similar sale
(and to a subsequent third party assignee by Agent or any Lender to the extent
Agent or such Lender is the successful bidder at such sale) in the event of a
foreclosure or similar action pursuant to such Additional Mortgage and (ii)
cause a memorandum of lease with respect thereto, or other evidence of such
lease in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to be recorded in
all places to the extent necessary or desirable, in the reasonable judgment of
Agent, so as to enable an Additional Mortgage encumbering such Material
Leasehold to effectively create a valid and enforceable first priority lien
(subject to Permitted Encumbrances) on such Material Leasehold in favor of Agent
(or such other Person as may be required or desired under local law) for the
benefit of Lenders.

                                      109
<PAGE>

Section 7.  BORROWERS' NEGATIVE COVENANTS

          Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the
Commitments hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of
the Loans and other Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all
Letters of Credit, unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written
consent, such Borrower shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to perform, all covenants in this Section 7.

7.1  Indebtedness.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise
become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any
Indebtedness, except:

          (i) Borrowers may become and remain liable with respect to the
          Obligations;

          (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to Contingent Obligations permitted by subsection 7.4 and,
          upon any matured obligations actually arising pursuant thereto, the
          Indebtedness corresponding to the Contingent Obligations so
          extinguished;

          (iii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases; provided that
                                                                --------
          such Capital Leases are permitted under the terms of subsection 7.9;

          (iv) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Indebtedness
          to any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, and any wholly-owned
          Subsidiary of Company may become and remain liable with respect to
          Indebtedness to Company or any other wholly-owned Subsidiary of
          Company; provided that (a) all such intercompany Indebtedness shall be
                   --------
          evidenced by promissory notes that are pledged to Agent pursuant to
          the terms of the applicable Collateral Document, (b) all such
          intercompany Indebtedness owed by any Borrower to any of its
          Subsidiaries shall be subordinated in right of payment to the payment
          in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the applicable
          promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement, and (c)
          any payment by any Subsidiary of any Borrower under any guaranty of
          the Obligations shall result in a pro tanto reduction of the amount of
                                            --- -----
          any intercompany Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to such Borrower
          or to any of its Subsidiaries for whose benefit such payment is made;
          provided, further, that no such intercompany Indebtedness shall be
          --------  -------
          owing at any time from all Canadian Subsidiaries to Company or any
          Domestic Subsidiary other than the existing intercompany Indebtedness
          described in Schedule 7.1 annexed hereto;

          (v) Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain liable
          with respect to Indebtedness described in Schedule 7.1 annexed hereto;
                                                    ------------

          (vi) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Indebtedness
          evidenced by the Subordinated Notes;

                                      110
<PAGE>

          (vii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to Indebtedness acquired or assumed in connection with an
          acquisition permitted under subsection 7.7(v) in an aggregate amount
          not to exceed $5,000,000 for all such assumed or acquired Indebtedness
          at any time outstanding; provided that such Indebtedness was not
                                   --------
          incurred in connection with such acquisition; and

          (viii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to
          exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

7.2  Liens and Related Matters.

          A.  Prohibition on Liens. Each Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume
or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any
kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts
receivable) of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the
filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other
similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income or
profits under the Uniform Commercial Code of any State or under the Personal
Property Security Act of any province in Canada or under any similar recording
or notice statute, except:

          (i) Permitted Encumbrances;

          (ii) Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents;

          (iii) Liens described in Schedule 7.2 annexed hereto;
                                   ------------

          (iv) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under subsection 7.1(vii)
          which Liens existed prior to the time such acquisition was made;
          provided that such Liens were not incurred in connection with, or in
          --------
          contemplation of, such acquisition and such Liens extend to or cover
          only the property and assets covered by such Liens prior to such
          acquisition; and

          (v) Other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to
          exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

          B.  Equitable Lien in Favor of Lenders.  If any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Liens excepted by
the provisions of subsection 7.2A, it shall make or cause to be made effective
provision whereby the Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally and
ratably with any and all other Indebtedness secured thereby as long as any such
Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing,
                                  --------
this covenant shall not be construed as a consent by Requisite Lenders to the
creation or assumption of any such Lien not permitted by the provisions of
subsection 7.2A.

          C.  No Further Negative Pledges. Except with respect to specific
property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold
pursuant to an executed

                                      111
<PAGE>

agreement with respect to an Asset Sale, none of the Borrowers or any of their
respective Subsidiaries shall enter into any agreement (other than the
Subordinated Note Indenture) prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien
upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

          D.  No Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions to Borrowers or Other
Subsidiaries. Except as provided herein, each Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist
or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the
ability of any such Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions on any of such Subsidiary's capital stock owned by such Borrower
or any other Subsidiary of such Borrower, (ii) repay or prepay any Indebtedness
owed by such Subsidiary to such Borrower or any other Subsidiary of such
Borrower, (iii) make loans or advances to such Borrower or any other Subsidiary
of such Borrower, or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to such
Borrower or any other Subsidiary of such Borrower.

7.3  Investments; Joint Ventures.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment in any Person, including
any Joint Venture, except:

          (i) Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments in Cash
          Equivalents;

          (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own the Investments
          owned by them as of the Closing Date in any Subsidiaries of Company;

          (iii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make intercompany loans to the
          extent permitted under subsection 7.1(iv);

          (iv) Company and its Subsidiaries may make Consolidated Capital
          Expenditures permitted by subsection 7.8;

          (v) Company and its Subsidiaries may make acquisitions to the extent
          permitted under 7.7(v);

          (vi) Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own the Investments
          owned by them and described in Schedule 7.3 annexed hereto; and
                                         ------------

          (vii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own other Investments
          in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $5,000,000.

7.4  Contingent Obligations.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, create or become or remain liable with respect to
any Contingent Obligation, except:

          (i) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
          Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit;

                                      112
<PAGE>

          (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to Contingent Obligations arising under their respective
          Guaranties;

          (iii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to Contingent Obligations in respect of customary
          indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations incurred in
          connection with Asset Sales or other sales of assets;

          (iv) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
          Obligations arising under Interest Rate Agreements;

          (v) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to Contingent Obligations in respect of any Indebtedness of
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries permitted by subsection 7.1;

          (vi) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
          Obligations under Currency Agreements pursuant to which Company
          obtains foreign currency from another Person (the "Counterparty") in
          exchange for Dollars; provided that (a) the aggregate notional amount
                                --------
          for all such Currency Agreements outstanding at any one time shall not
          exceed the equivalent of $20,000,000, (b) the aggregate amount of
          foreign currency required to be delivered on any one day by one or
          more Counterparties under all such Currency Agreements outstanding at
          any one time shall not exceed the equivalent of $5,000,000; (c) the
          tenor of any such Currency Agreement shall not exceed twenty-four (24)
          months, and (d) the expiration date of any such Currency Agreement
          under which any Lender or any Lender or any of its Affiliates is the
          counterparty shall not be later than the date of termination of the
          Working Capital Revolving Loan Commitments;

          (vii) Company's Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with respect
          to Contingent Obligations in respect of guaranties under the
          Subordinated Note Indenture; and

          (viii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
          respect to other Contingent Obligations; provided that the maximum
                                                   --------
          aggregate liability, contingent or otherwise, of Company and its
          Subsidiaries in respect of all such Contingent Obligations shall at no
          time exceed $2,500,000.

7.5  Restricted Junior Payments.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make or set apart any sum for
any Restricted Junior Payment; provided that (i) Company may make payments of
                               --------
regularly scheduled interest in respect of the Subordinated Note Indenture in
accordance with the terms of and to the extent required by (and subject to the
subordination provisions contained in) the Subordinated Note Indenture, and (ii)
Company may redeem or prepay the Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal
amount not exceeding $42,000,000 and may pay a redemption premium not exceeding
109.2% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon;
and provided, further that, so
    --------  -------

                                      113
<PAGE>

long as no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, Company may make Restricted Junior
Payments to Holdings (X) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000
in any Fiscal Year in order to permit Holdings to pay customary and usual
general administrative costs and expenses, (Y) in an aggregate principal amount
not to exceed in the aggregate $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year or $3,000,000
during the term of this Agreement in order to permit Holdings to purchase
Holdings Common Stock from management officers and employees of Company and its
Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of any subscription or employment
agreements or other stock option, stock incentive, purchase, retirement, savings
or similar plans, and (Z) in an amount necessary to permit Holdings to discharge
the consolidated tax liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

7.6  Financial Covenants.

          A.  Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. Company shall not permit the
ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDA to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense (which
ratio shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if the Transactions had
occurred on the first day of such period) for any four-Fiscal Quarter period
ending during any of the periods set forth below to be less than the correlative
ratio indicated:

                                                   Minimum Interest
                   Period                           Coverage Ratio
          ------------------------                 ----------------
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1998                    2.50:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1998                    2.50:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    2.50:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    2.50:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    2.50:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    2.50:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    2.25:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    2.25:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    2.25:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    2.25:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    2.25:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    2.40:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    2.40:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    2.50:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    2.50:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    2.75:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    2.75:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    3.00:1.00

                                      114
<PAGE>

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.00:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.25:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.25:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.50:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2004                    3.50:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2004                    3.50:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2004                    3.50:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2004 and thereafter     3.50:1.00

          B.  Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Company shall not permit its
Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter ending
during any of the periods set forth below to exceed the correlative ratio
indicated:

                                                 Maximum Consolidated
                   Period                           Leverage Ratio
          ------------------------               --------------------

          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1998                    4.00:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1998                    4.00:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    4.00:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    3.90:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    3.80:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1999                    4.00:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    4.80:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    4.75:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    4.75:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2000                    4.75:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    4.50:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    4.25:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    4.25:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2001                    4.00:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    4.00:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    3.75:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    3.50:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2002                    3.25:1.00

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.25:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.00:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.00:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2003                    3.00:1.00

                                      115
<PAGE>

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2004                    2.75:1.00
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2004                    2.75:1.00
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2004                    2.75:1.00
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2004 and thereafter     2.75:1.00

          C.  Minimum Consolidated Net Worth. Company shall not permit
Consolidated Net Worth at any time during any of the periods set forth below to
be less than the correlative amount indicated:

                                                         Minimum
                                                     Consolidated Net
                   Period                                 Worth
          --------------------------------------     ----------------

          One day after the Closing Date through       $ 62,000,000
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1998

          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1998 through             $ 59,000,000
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1998

          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1998 through             $ 57,000,000
          1st Fiscal Quarter, 1999

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 1999 through             $ 66,000,000
          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 1999

          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 1999 through             $ 66,000,000
          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1999

          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 1999 through             $ 66,000,000
          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1999

          4th Fiscal Quarter, 1999 through             $ 66,000,000
          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2000

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2000                     $ 66,000,000

          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2000                     $ 75,000,000

          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2000                     $ 75,000,000

          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2000                     $ 75,000,000

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2001                     $ 75,000,000

          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2001                     $ 90,000,000

          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2001                     $ 90,000,000

          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2001                     $ 90,000,000

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2002                     $ 90,000,000

                                      116
<PAGE>

                                                         Minimum
                                                     Consolidated Net
                   Period                                 Worth
          --------------------------------------     ----------------

          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2002                     $115,000,000

          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2002                     $115,000,000

          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2002                     $115,000,000

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2003                     $115,000,000

          2nd Fiscal Quarter, 2003                     $135,000,000

          3rd Fiscal Quarter, 2003                     $135,000,000

          4th Fiscal Quarter, 2003                     $135,000,000

          1st Fiscal Quarter, 2004 and thereafter      $135,000,000

7.7  Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales and Acquisitions.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, alter the corporate, capital or legal structure of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or
liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or
dissolution), or convey, sell, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sub-lessor),
transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, all or any part of its business, property or fixed assets, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or otherwise all or
substantially all the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or other
evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of
business of any Person, except:

          (i) any Subsidiary of Company may be merged with or into Company or
          any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company, or may be liquidated, wound up
          or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets
          may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of,
          in one transaction or a series of transactions, to Company or any
          wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company;

          (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make Consolidated Capital
          Expenditures permitted under subsection 7.8; and Company and its
          Subsidiaries may engage in sale/leaseback transactions permitted under
          subsection 7.10;

          (iii) Company and its Subsidiaries may sell or otherwise dispose of
          assets in transactions that do not constitute Asset Sales; provided
                                                                     --------
          that the consideration

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          received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the
          fair market value thereof (as reasonably determined by the Board of
          Directors of Company);

          (iv) subject to subsection 7.13, Company and its Subsidiaries may make
          Asset Sales of assets having a fair market value not in excess of
          $1,000,000; provided that (x) the consideration received for such
                      --------
          assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value
          thereof (as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors of
          Company); (y) the sole consideration received shall be cash; and (z)
          the proceeds of such Asset Sales shall be applied as required by
          subsection 2.4B(iii)(a); and Company and its Subsidiaries may make
          transfers of any of their properties or assets to another Person in
          transactions in which the Company or its Subsidiaries receive in
          exchange therefor like properties or assets that will be used in the
          business of the Company or its Subsidiaries; provided that (i) the
                                                       --------
          aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board
          of Directors of Company) of the property or assets being transferred
          by Company or such Subsidiary is not greater than the aggregate fair
          market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
          Company), of the like property or assets received by Company or such
          Subsidiary in such exchange and (ii) such aggregate fair market value
          of all property or assets transferred by Company and any of its
          Subsidiaries in connection with such exchanges shall not exceed
          $5,000,000; and

          (v) Company and its Subsidiaries may acquire the business, property or
          fixed assets of, or all of the stock or other evidence of beneficial
          ownership of any Person engaged in the nursery business, the peat or
          potting soil or mix business or businesses reasonably related thereto;
          provided that (a) the contemplated acquisition is neither contested
          --------
          nor hostile nor opposed by the board of directors of the targeted
          company or business; (b) no Event of Default or Potential Event of
          Default has occurred and is then continuing; (c) after giving effect
          (including, without limitation, any limitation on any assumed or
          acquired Indebtedness) to such acquisition and Indebtedness incurred
          in connection therewith, Company is in pro forma compliance with its
          financial covenants; provided that for purposes of calculating the
                               --------
          Consolidated Leverage Ratio, the aggregate earnings attributable to
          acquired businesses or companies whose financials are unreviewed and
          unaudited shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA before giving
          effect to the consolidation with such acquired businesses or companies
          and that Company delivers to Agent and Lenders prior to the
          consummation of such acquisition a Compliance Certificate
          demonstrating such pro forma covenant compliance; provided, further,
                                                            --------  -------
          that Company shall be deemed to be in pro forma covenant compliance
          with respect to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio with regard to its
          acquisition of Willow Creek Greenhouses Inc.; (d) the provisions of
          subsections 6.9 and 6.10 of this Agreement are complied with with
          respect to any Subsidiary so acquired; (e) Company obtains Agent's and
          Requisite Lenders' consents to any acquisition or series of related
          acquisitions in excess of $25,000,000 and, to the extent such consent
          is required, shall have delivered to Agent and Lenders, on a timely
          basis prior to the consummation of such acquisition, such historical
          and pro forma projected financial statements (which projected
          financial statements shall be prepared on a quarterly basis for the

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          succeeding twelve-month period and on an annual basis for the period
          commencing after such twelve-month period and concluding on the date
          of the final maturity of the Loans), sources and uses analysis, pro
          forma covenant calculations and such other due diligence information
          as may be reasonably requested by Agent or Lenders. Subject to
          completion of such due diligence to the reasonable satisfaction of
          Agent and Requisite Lenders, Agent and Requisite Lenders hereby agree
          to approve or disapprove acquisitions as soon as reasonably
          practicable but in any event within ten Business Days of receipt of
          such information; and (f) Company and its Subsidiaries will not incur
          or assume in connection with any such contemplated acquisition any
          material environmental or other material contingent liability.

7.8  Consolidated Capital Expenditures.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to,
make or incur Consolidated Capital Expenditures, in any period indicated below,
in an aggregate amount in excess of the corresponding amount (the "Maximum
Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount") set forth below opposite such period;

provided that the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount for any
--------
period shall be increased by an amount equal to the excess (the "Carry Forward
Amount"), if any, (provided however, that in no event shall the Carry Forward
                   --------
Amount exceed 10% of the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount for
such previous period) of the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount
for the previous period over the actual amount of Consolidated Capital
Expenditures for such previous period:

                                                          Maximum
                                                   Consolidated Capital
                   Period                               Expenditures
          -------------------------------------    --------------------

          Fiscal Year, 1998                             $19,000,000

          Fiscal Year, 1999                             $29,100,000

          Fiscal Year, 2000                             $39,200,000

          Fiscal Year, 2001                             $34,700,000

          Fiscal Year, 2002                             $28,700,000

          Fiscal Year, 2003                             $27,600,000

          Fiscal Year, 2004                             $26,800,000

          First Fiscal Quarter, 2005                    $ 6,700,000

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<PAGE>

; provided, however, that the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount
  --------  -------
set forth above for any period shall be increased by an amount (the "Incremental
Acquisition Capital Expenditure Amount") equal to 5% of the revenues
attributable to permitted acquisitions made pursuant to subsection 7.7(v) for
the consecutive twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of such
acquisition; provided further that with respect to the Fiscal Year in which such
             -------- -------
acquisition is made, the Incremental Acquisition Capital Expenditure Amount
shall be pro-rated for the remaining portion of such Fiscal Year.

7.9  Restriction on Leases.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, (i) become liable in any way, whether directly or by assignment or as a
guarantor or other surety, for the obligations of the lessee under any lease,
whether an Operating Lease or a Capital Lease (other than intercompany leases
between or among Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries), or (ii) cause or
permit the liability of such Borrower or Subsidiary under or in respect of such
lease to increase by any material amount, in each case unless, immediately after
giving effect to such incurrence of or increase in liability with respect to
such lease, the Consolidated Rental Payments at the time in effect during the
then current or any future period of 12 consecutive calendar months shall not
exceed $10,000,000.

7.10  Sales and Lease-Backs.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor
or other surety with respect to any lease, whether an Operating Lease or a
Capital Lease, of any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, (i) which Company or any of its Subsidiaries has
sold or transferred or is to sell or transfer to any other Person (other than
Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or (ii) which Company or any of its
Subsidiaries intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other
property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to any Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries) in
connection with such lease; provided that Company and its Subsidiaries may
                            --------
become and remain liable as lessee, guarantor or other surety with respect to
any such lease if and to the extent that Company or any of its Subsidiaries
would be permitted to enter into, and remain liable under, such lease under
subsection 7.9.

7.11  Sale or Discount of Receivables.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, sell with recourse, or discount or otherwise sell
for less than the face value thereof, any of its notes or accounts receivable.

7.12  Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates.

          Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction
(including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any
property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any
class of equity Securities of Company or with any Affiliate of Company or of any
such holder, on terms that are less favorable to Company or that Subsidiary, as
the case

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<PAGE>

may be, than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not
such a holder or Affiliate; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not
                            --------
apply to (i) any transaction between Company and any of its wholly-owned
Subsidiaries or between any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, or (ii) reasonable
and customary fees paid to members of the Boards of Directors of Company and its
Subsidiaries.

7.13  Disposal of Subsidiary Stock.

          Except pursuant to the Collateral Documents and except for any sale of
all of the capital stock or other equity Securities of any of its Subsidiaries
owned by any Borrower and its Subsidiaries in compliance with the provisions of
subsection 7.7(iv), each Borrower shall not:

          (i) directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber
          or dispose of any shares of capital stock or other equity Securities
          of any of its Subsidiaries, except to qualify directors if required by
          applicable law; or

          (ii) permit any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to sell,
          assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of
          capital stock or other equity Securities of any of its Subsidiaries
          (including such Subsidiary), except to Company, another Subsidiary of
          Company, or to qualify directors if required by applicable law.

7.14  Conduct of Business.

          From and after the Closing Date, each Borrower shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than (i) the
businesses engaged in by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date
and similar or related businesses and (ii) such other lines of business as may
be consented to by Requisite Lenders. Holdings shall not engage in any business
other than owning the capital stock of Company and its Subsidiaries and entering
into and performing its obligations under and in accordance with the Loan
Documents to which it is a party.  Holdings shall not directly engage in any
business or activities other than those activities necessary to discharge its
obligations as a holding company for Company.

7.15  Amendments of Certain Documents; Designation of Designated Senior Debt.

          A.  Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, amend or otherwise change the terms of any Subordinated
Indebtedness or any agreement related thereto or any guaranty entered into by
any Loan Party in connection with any Subordinated Indebtedness (collectively,
the "Restricted Agreements"), or make any payment consistent with an amendment
thereof or change thereto, if the effect of such amendment or change is to
increase the interest rate on such Subordinated Indebtedness or any such
Restricted Agreement, change any dates upon which payments of principal or
interest are due thereon, change any of the covenants with respect thereto in a
manner which is more restrictive to Company or any of its Subsidiaries, change
any event of default or condition to an event of default with respect thereto,
change the redemption, prepayment or defeasance provisions thereof, change the
subordination provisions thereof (or of any guaranty thereof), or change any
collateral therefor (other than to release such collateral), or if the effect of
such amendment or change, together with all other amendments or changes made, is
to increase the obligations of the obligor thereunder or to

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<PAGE>

confer any additional rights on the holders of such Subordinated Indebtedness or
any such Restricted Agreement (or a trustee or other representative on their
behalf) which would be adverse to any Loan Party or Lenders.

          B.  Each Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, designate any Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Debt" (as
defined in the Subordinated Note Indenture) without the prior written consent of
Requisite Lenders.

7.16  Fiscal Year.

          Each Borrower shall not change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31.

Section 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          If any of the following conditions or events ("Events of Default")
shall occur:

8.1  Failure to Make Payments When Due.

          Failure by any Borrower to pay any installment of principal of or
interest on any Loan when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by
notice of voluntary prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise; failure by
any Borrower to pay when due any amount payable to an Issuing Lender in
reimbursement of any drawing under a Letter of Credit; or failure by any
Borrower to pay any fee or any other amount due under this Agreement within five
days after the date due; or

8.2  Default in Other Agreements.

          (i) Failure of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to pay when due
          any principal of or interest on one or more items of Indebtedness
          (other than Indebtedness referred to in subsection 8.1) or Contingent
          Obligations in an individual principal amount of $1,000,000 or more or
          with an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 or more, in each case
          beyond the end of any grace period provided therefor; or (ii) breach
          or default by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to
          any other material term of (a) one or more items of Indebtedness or
          Contingent Obligations in the individual or aggregate principal
          amounts referred to in clause (i) above or (b) any loan agreement,
          mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of
          Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s), if the effect of such breach
          or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that
          Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) (or a trustee on behalf of
          such holder or holders) to cause, that Indebtedness or Contingent
          Obligation(s) to become or be declared due and payable prior to its
          stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation,
          as the case may be (upon the giving or receiving of notice, lapse of
          time, both, or otherwise); or

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<PAGE>

8.3  Breach of Certain Covenants.

          Failure of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries to perform or comply with
any term or condition contained in subsection 2.5 or 6.2 or Section 7 of this
Agreement; or

8.4  Breach of Warranty.

          Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made by
any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any Loan Document or in any statement
or certificate at any time given by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall
be false in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

8.5  Other Defaults Under Loan Documents.

          Any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in the
performance of or compliance with any term contained in this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other
subsection of this Section 8, and such default shall not have been remedied or
waived within 15 days after the earlier of (i) an officer of any Borrower
becoming aware of such default or (ii) receipt by any Borrower of notice from
Agent or any Lender of such default; or

8.6  Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.

          (i) A court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree
          or order for relief in respect of any Borrower or any of its
          Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under
          any other Insolvency Laws which decree or order is not stayed; or any
          other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable Insolvency
          Laws; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against any
          Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under
          any other Insolvency Laws; or a decree or order of a court having
          jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver,
          liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having
          similar powers over any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or over
          all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or
          there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim
          receiver, trustee or other custodian of any Borrower or any of its
          Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property; or a
          warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall have been
          issued against any substantial part of the property of any Borrower or
          any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause
          (ii) shall continue for 60 days unless dismissed, bonded or
          discharged; or

8.7  Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.

          (i) Any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for
          relief entered with respect to it or commence a voluntary case under
          the Bankruptcy Code or under any other Insolvency Laws, or shall
          consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or
          to the conversion of an involuntary case to a

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<PAGE>

          voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the
          appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other
          custodian for all or a substantial part of its property; or Company or
          any of its Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of
          creditors; or (ii) any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be
          unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its
          inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the Board of
          Directors of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee
          thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action
          to approve any of the actions referred to in clause (i) above or this
          clause (ii); or

8.8  Judgments and Attachments.

          Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process
involving (i) in any individual case an amount in excess of $1,000,000 or (ii)
in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $2,000,000 (in either case
not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated
insurance company has acknowledged coverage) shall be entered or filed against
any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and
shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 60
days (or in any event later than five days prior to the date of any proposed
sale thereunder); or

8.9  Dissolution.

          Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against any Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries decreeing the dissolution or split up of any Borrower or
that Subsidiary and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a
period in excess of 30 days; or

8.10  Employee Benefit Plans.

          There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in
the aggregate results in or might reasonably be expected to result in liability
of any Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates in excess of $1,000,000 during
the term of this Agreement; or there shall exist an amount of unfunded benefit
liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA), individually or in the
aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding for purposes of such computation any
Pension Plans with respect to which assets exceed benefit liabilities), which
exceeds $2,000,000; or

8.11  Material Adverse Effect.

          Any event or change shall occur that has caused or evidences, either
in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; or

8.12  Change in Control.

          (i) A change shall occur in the Board of Directors of Holdings so that
          a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings ceases to consist of
          the individuals who constituted the Board of Directors of Holdings on
          the Closing Date (or individuals whose election or nomination for
          election was approved by a vote of at least 75% of the directors then
          in office who either were directors of Holdings

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<PAGE>

          on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for election
          previously was so approved); or

          (ii) any Person or Group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the
          Securities and Exchange Commission), other than MDCP and its
          Affiliates, shall become or be the owner, directly or indirectly,
          beneficially or of record, of shares representing more than 30% of the
          aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and
          outstanding capital stock of Holdings on a fully diluted basis, unless
          MDCP and its Affiliates shall own and continue to so own capital stock
          representing not less than a majority of such aggregate ordinary
          voting power; or

          (iii) MDCP shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, beneficially or
          of record, at least 30% of each of the Holdings Common Stock and any
          other class of voting stock of Holdings; or

          (iv) Holdings shall cease to beneficially own and control 100% of the
          issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Company or shall
          cease to have the ability to elect all of the Board of Directors of
          Company; or

          (v) Company shall cease to beneficially own and control, directly or
          indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock
          of any other Borrower or Company shall cease to have the ability to
          elect all of the Board of Directors of any other Borrower; or

          (vi) any "Change of Control" (as defined in the Subordinated Note
          Indenture) shall occur; or

8.13  Invalidity of Any Guaranty.

          Any Guaranty for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of
all Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance
with its terms) or is declared to be null and void, or any Loan Party denies
that it has any further liability, including without limitation with respect to
future advances by Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party, or
gives notice to such effect; or

8.14  Failure of Security.

          Any Collateral Document shall, at any time, cease to be in full force
and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with
the terms thereof) or shall be declared null and void, or the validity or
enforceability thereof shall be contested by any Loan Party, or Agent shall not
have or cease to have a valid and perfected first priority security interest in
the Collateral purported to be covered (excluding Collateral having a fair
market value in the aggregate of up to $100,000);

          THEN (i) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in
subsection 8.6 or 8.7, each of (a) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued
interest on the Loans, (b) an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any
time be drawn under all Letters of Credit then outstanding (whether or not any
beneficiary under any such Letter of Credit shall have

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<PAGE>

presented, or shall be entitled at such time to present, the drafts or other
documents or certificates required to draw under such Letter of Credit), and (c)
all other Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower, and the obligation of each
Lender to make any Loan, the obligation of Agent to issue any Letter of Credit
and the right of any Lender to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall
thereupon terminate, and (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
any other Event of Default, Agent shall, upon the written request or with the
written consent of Requisite Lenders, by written notice to each Borrower,
declare all or any portion of the amounts described in clauses (a) through (c)
above to be, and the same shall forthwith become, immediately due and payable,
and the obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, the obligation of Agent to
issue any Letter of Credit and the right of any Lender to issue any Letter of
Credit hereunder shall thereupon terminate; provided that the foregoing shall
                                            --------
not affect in any way the obligations of Lenders under subsection 3.3C(i) or the
obligations of Lenders to purchase participations in any unpaid Swing Line Loans
as provided in subsection 2.1A(v).

          Any amounts described in clause (b) above, when received by Agent,
shall be held by Agent pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Account Agreement
and shall be applied as therein provided.

          Notwithstanding anything contained in the second preceding paragraph,
if at any time within 60 days after an acceleration of the Loans pursuant to
such paragraph each Borrower shall pay all arrears of interest and all payments
on account of principal which shall have become due otherwise than as a result
of such acceleration (with interest on principal and, to the extent permitted by
law, on overdue interest, at the rates specified in this Agreement) and all
Events of Default and Potential Events of Default (other than non-payment of the
principal of and accrued interest on the Loans, in each case which is due and
payable solely by virtue of acceleration) shall be remedied or waived pursuant
to subsection 10.6, then Requisite Lenders, by written notice to each Borrower,
may at their option rescind and annul such acceleration and its consequences;
but such action shall not affect any subsequent Event of Default or Potential
Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.  The provisions of this
paragraph are intended merely to bind Lenders to a decision which may be made at
the election of Requisite Lenders and are not intended to benefit any Borrower
and do not grant any Borrower the right to require Lenders to rescind or annul
any acceleration hereunder, even if the conditions set forth herein are met.

Section 9.  AGENT

9.1  Appointment.

          BTCo and DB Canada are hereby appointed Agent and Canadian Agent
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby authorizes
Agent and Canadian Agent, as the case may be, to act as its agent in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Agent agrees to
act upon the express conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, as applicable.  The provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the
benefit of Agent, Syndication Agent and Lenders and Borrowers shall have no
rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof.  In
performing

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<PAGE>

its functions and duties under this Agreement, Agent shall act solely as an
agent of Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any
obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for any Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries. None of Syndication Agent or Documentation Agent
shall have any duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document to any Person, other than as a Lender hereunder or thereunder.

9.2  Powers and Duties; General Immunity.

          A.  Powers; Duties Specified. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes Agent
to take such action on such Lender's behalf and to exercise such powers, rights
and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are specifically
delegated or granted to Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with
such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent
shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified
in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Agent may exercise such powers,
rights and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or
employees. Agent shall not have, by reason of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing
in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is
intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Agent any obligations in
respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents except as expressly
set forth herein or therein. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Potential Event of Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender, any Borrower or
Holdings referring to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
describing such Potential Event of Default or Event of Default and stating that
such notice is a "notice of default." In the Event that the Agent receives such
notice, the Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Lenders.

          B.  No Responsibility for Certain Matters. Agent shall not be
responsible to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness,
validity, enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals or
statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or
in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or
any other documents furnished or made by Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf of
any Borrower to Agent or any Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and
the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business
affairs of any Borrower or any other Person liable for the payment of any
Obligations, nor shall Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants
or agreements contained in any of the Loan Documents or as to the use of the
proceeds of the Loans or the use of the Letters of Credit or as to the existence
or possible existence of any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.
Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Agent
shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of
outstanding Loans or the Letter of Credit Usage or the component amounts
thereof.

          C.  Exculpatory Provisions.  Neither Agent nor any of its officers,
directors, employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders for any action taken
or omitted by Agent under or in connection with any of the Loan Documents except
to the extent caused by Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.  If
Agent shall request instructions from Lenders with respect to any act or action
(including the failure to take an action) in connection with this Agreement or

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<PAGE>

any of the other Loan Documents, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such
act or taking such action unless and until Agent shall have received
instructions from Requisite Lenders.  Without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, (i) Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying, upon any communication, instrument or document believed by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or
persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on
opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for Company and its
Subsidiaries), accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by
it; and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent
as a result of Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting
under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the
instructions of Requisite Lenders.  Agent shall be entitled to refrain from
exercising any power, discretion or authority vested in it under this Agreement
or any of the other Loan Documents unless and until it has obtained the
instructions of Requisite Lenders.

          D.  Agent Entitled to Act as Lender. The agency hereby created shall
in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties
or obligations upon, Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder.
With respect to its participation in the Loans and the Letters of Credit, Agent
shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not performing the duties and functions
delegated to it hereunder, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" or any similar
term shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include Agent in its
individual capacity. Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend
money to and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory
or other business with any Borrower or any of its Affiliates as if it were not
performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other
consideration from any Borrower for services in connection with this Agreement
and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.

9.3  Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For Appraisal of
     Creditworthiness.

          Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own
independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of each
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with the making of the Loans and the
issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder and that it has made and shall continue
to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.  Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility, either initially
or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal
on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or other
information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the
making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter, and Agent shall not have
any responsibility with respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any
information provided to Lenders.

9.4  Right to Indemnity.

          Each Lender, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, severally agrees to
indemnify Agent, to the extent that Agent shall not have been reimbursed by
Borrowers, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including,
without limitation, counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any

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kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against Agent in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its
duties hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or otherwise in its capacity
as Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other
Loan Documents; provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such
                --------
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from Agent's gross negligence or
willful misconduct. If any indemnity furnished to Agent for any purpose shall,
in the opinion of Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, Agent may call for
additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified
against until such additional indemnity is furnished.

9.5  Successor Agent and Swing Line Lender.

          A.  Successor Agent. Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days'
prior written notice thereof to Lenders and each Borrower, and Agent may be
removed at any time with or without cause by an instrument or concurrent
instruments in writing delivered to each Borrower and Agent and signed by
Requisite Lenders. Upon any such notice of resignation or any such removal,
Requisite Lenders shall have the right, upon five Business Days' notice to each
Borrower, to appoint a successor Agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment
as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, that successor Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Agent and the retiring or removed Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any
retiring or removed Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, the
provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.

          B.  Successor Swing Line Lender. Any resignation or removal of Agent
pursuant to subsection 9.5A shall also constitute the resignation or removal of
BTCo or its successor as Swing Line Lender, and any successor Agent appointed
pursuant to subsection 9.5A shall, upon its acceptance of such appointment,
become the successor Swing Line Lender for all purposes hereunder. In such event
(i) Company shall prepay any outstanding Swing Line Loans made by the retiring
or removed Agent in its capacity as Swing Line Lender, (ii) upon such
prepayment, the retiring or removed Agent and Swing Line Lender shall surrender
any Swing Line Note held by it to Company for cancellation, and (iii) if so
requested by the successor Agent and Swing Line Lender in accordance with
subsection 2.1E, Company shall issue a new Swing Line Note to the successor
Agent and Swing Line Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-E annexed
                                                         ------------
hereto, in the principal amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment then in effect
and with other appropriate insertions.

9.6  Collateral Documents and Guaranties.

          Each Lender hereby further authorizes Agent to enter into each
Collateral Document as secured party on behalf of and for the benefit of Lenders
and agrees to be bound by the terms of each Collateral Document; provided that,
                                                                 --------
subject to any provision of subsection 10.6 requiring the consent of any
additional Lenders, Agent shall not enter into or consent to any amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision contained in any Collateral
Document or any Guaranty without the prior consent of Requisite Lenders, but
Agent may (i) release any Lien covering any items of Collateral that are the
subject of a sale or other

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disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement or to which Requisite Lenders
have consented and (ii) release any Guarantor (other than any Borrower or
Holdings) from its Guaranty if all of the capital stock of such Guarantor is
sold to a Person that is not any Affiliate of Company pursuant to a sale or
other disposition permitted hereunder or to which Requisite Lenders have
consented. Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary
notwithstanding, each Lender agrees that no Lender shall have any right
individually to realize upon any of the Collateral under any Collateral Document
or to enforce any of the Guaranties, it being understood and agreed that all
rights and remedies under the Collateral Documents and the Guaranties may be
exercised solely by Agent for the benefit of Lenders in accordance with the
terms thereof.

Section 10.  MISCELLANEOUS

10.1  Assignments and Participations in Loans and Letters of Credit.

          A.  General. Subject to subsection 10.1B, each Lender shall have the
right at any time to (i) sell, assign or transfer to any Eligible Assignee, or
(ii) sell participations to any Person in, all or any part of its Commitments or
any Loan or Loans made by it or its Letters of Credit or participations therein
or any other interest herein or in any other Obligations owed to it; provided
                                                                     --------
that no such sale, assignment, transfer or participation shall, without the
consent of Company, require Company to file a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or apply to qualify such sale, assignment,
transfer or participation under the securities laws of any state; provided,
                                                                  --------
further that no such sale, assignment or transfer described in clause (i) above
-------
shall be effective unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting such sale,
assignment or transfer shall have been accepted by Agent and recorded in the
Register as provided in subsection 10.1B(ii); and provided, further that no such
                                                  --------  -------
sale, assignment, transfer or participation of any Letter of Credit or any
participation therein may be made separately from a sale, assignment, transfer
or participation of a corresponding interest in the Working Capital Revolving
Loan Commitment and the Working Capital Revolving Loans of the Lender effecting
such sale, assignment, transfer or participation. Except as otherwise provided
in this subsection 10.1, no Lender shall, as between Borrowers and such Lender,
be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any sale,
assignment or transfer of, or any granting of participations in, all or any part
of its Commitments or the Loans, the Letters of Credit or participations
therein, or the other Obligations owed to such Lender.

          B.  Assignments.

          (i) Amounts and Terms of Assignments. Each Commitment, Loan, Letter of
              --------------------------------
          Credit or participation therein, or other Obligation may (a) be
          assigned in any amount to another Lender, or to an Affiliate or
          Affiliated Fund of the assigning Lender or another Lender, with the
          giving of notice to Company and Agent or (b) be assigned in an
          aggregate amount of not less than $5,000,000 (or such lesser amount as
          shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Commitments, Loans,
          Letters of Credit and participations therein, and other Obligations of
          the assigning Lender) to any other Eligible Assignee with the consent
          of Agent and, provided that no Potential Event of Default or Event of
                        --------
          Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company (which consent of
          Company and Agent shall not be

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          unreasonably withheld); provided further that notwithstanding clause
                                  -------- -------
          (a) above, any such assignment of any Working Capital Revolving Loan
          Commitment, Working Capital Revolving Loans, Letters of Credit or
          participations therein, or other Obligation related to the Working
          Capital Revolving Loan Commitment may only be assigned with the
          consent of Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. To the
          extent of any such assignment in accordance with either clause (a) or
          (b) above, the assigning Lender shall be relieved of its obligations
          with respect to its Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or
          participations therein, or other Obligations or the portion thereof so
          assigned. The parties to each such assignment shall execute and
          deliver to Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an
          Assignment Agreement, together with, except in connection with an
          assignment pursuant to subsection 2.8B, a processing and recordation
          fee of $3,500 and such forms, certificates or other evidence, if any,
          with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters
          as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required to
          deliver to Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a). Upon such
          execution, delivery, acceptance and recordation, from and after the
          effective date specified in such Assignment Agreement, (y) the
          assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that
          rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to
          such Assignment Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a
          Lender hereunder and (z) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the
          extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it
          pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights and be
          released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case
          of an Assignment Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an
          assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such
          Lender shall cease to be a party hereto; provided that, anything
                                                   --------
          contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary
          notwithstanding, if such Lender is the Issuing Lender with respect to
          any outstanding Letters of Credit such Lender shall continue to have
          all rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender with respect to such
          Letters of Credit until the cancellation or expiration of such Letters
          of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn thereunder). The
          Commitments hereunder shall be modified to reflect the Commitment of
          such assignee and any remaining Commitment of such assigning Lender
          and, if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of the Notes
          hereunder, the assigning Lender shall, upon the effectiveness of such
          assignment or as promptly thereafter as practicable, surrender its
          applicable Notes to Agent for cancellation, and thereupon new Notes
          shall be issued to the assignee and/or to the assigning Lender,
          substantially in the form of Exhibit IV-A, Exhibit IV-B, Exhibit IV-C,
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------
          Exhibit IV-D or Exhibit IV-E or Exhibit IV-F annexed hereto, as the
          ------------    ------------    ------------
          case may be, with appropriate insertions, to reflect the new
          Commitments and/or outstanding Term Loans, as the case may be, of the
          assignee and/or the assigning Lender.

          (ii) Acceptance by Agent; Recordation in Register. Upon its receipt of
               --------------------------------------------
          an Assignment Agreement executed by an assigning Lender and an
          assignee representing that it is an Eligible Assignee, together with
          the processing and recordation fee referred to in subsection 10.1B(i)
          and any forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to United
          States federal income tax withholding

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<PAGE>

          matters that such assignee may be required to deliver to Agent
          pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a), Agent shall, if Agent and Company
          have consented to the assignment evidenced thereby (in each case to
          the extent such consent is required pursuant to subsection 10.1B(i)),
          (a) accept such Assignment Agreement by executing a counterpart
          thereof as provided therein (which acceptance shall evidence any
          required consent of Agent to such assignment), (b) record the
          information contained therein in the Register, and (c) give prompt
          notice thereof to Company. Agent shall maintain a copy of each
          Assignment Agreement delivered to and accepted by it as provided in
          this subsection 10.1B(ii).

          C.  Participations. The holder of any participation, other than an
Affiliate of the Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to
require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except action
directly affecting (i) the extension of the scheduled final maturity date of any
Loan allocated to such participation or (ii) a reduction of the principal amount
of or the rate of interest payable on any Loan allocated to such participation,
and all amounts payable by Borrowers hereunder (including without limitation
amounts payable to such Lender pursuant to subsections 2.6D, 2.7 and 3.6) shall
be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation. Each Borrower
and each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that, solely for purposes of
subsections 10.4 and 10.5, (a) any participation will give rise to a direct
obligation of such Borrower to the participant and (b) the participant shall be
considered to be a "Lender".

          D.  Assignments to Federal Reserve Banks. In addition to the
assignments and participations permitted under the foregoing provisions of this
subsection 10.1, any Lender may assign and pledge all or any portion of its
Loans, the other Obligations owed to such Lender, and its Notes to any Federal
Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by
such Federal Reserve Bank; provided that (i) no Lender shall, as between any
                           --------
Borrower and such Lender, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a
result of any such assignment and pledge and (ii) in no event shall such Federal
Reserve Bank be considered to be a "Lender" or be entitled to require the
assigning Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder.

          E.  Information. Each Lender may furnish any information concerning
Company and its Subsidiaries in the possession of that Lender from time to time
to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
participants), subject to subsection 10.19.

10.2  Expenses.

          Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
consummated, each Borrower agrees to pay promptly (i) all the actual and
reasonable costs and expenses of preparation of the Loan Documents and any
consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (ii) all the costs
of furnishing all opinions by counsel for any Borrower (including any opinions
requested by Lenders as to any legal matters arising hereunder) and of any
Borrower's performance of and compliance with all agreements and conditions on
its part to be performed or complied with under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents including with respect to confirming compliance with
environmental, insurance and solvency

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<PAGE>

requirements; (iii) the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel
to Agent (including allocated costs of internal counsel) in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of the Loan Documents and
any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and any other
documents or matters requested by any Borrower; (iv) all the actual costs and
reasonable expenses of creating and perfecting Liens in favor of Agent on behalf
of Lenders pursuant to any Collateral Document, including filing and recording
fees, expenses and taxes, stamp or documentary taxes, search fees, title
insurance premiums, and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel
to Agent and of counsel providing any opinions that Agent or Requisite Lenders
may request in respect of the Collateral Documents or the Liens created pursuant
thereto; (v) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses of obtaining and
reviewing any appraisals provided for under this Agreement and any environmental
audits or reports provided for under this Agreement; (vi) the custody or
preservation of any of the Collateral; (vii) all other actual and reasonable
costs and expenses incurred by Agent in connection with the syndication of the
Commitments and the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Loan Documents
and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and the
transactions contemplated thereby; and (viii) after the occurrence of an Event
of Default, all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees
(including allocated costs of internal counsel) and costs of settlement,
incurred by Agent and Lenders in enforcing any Obligations of or in collecting
any payments due from any Loan Party hereunder or under the other Loan Documents
by reason of such Event of Default (including in connection with the sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the
enforcement of the Guaranties) or in connection with any refinancing or
restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this Agreement in the
nature of a "work-out" or pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.

10.3  Indemnity.

          In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to subsection 10.2,
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, each
Borrower agrees to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless Agent and Lenders,
and the officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates of Agent and
Lenders (collectively called the "Indemnitees"), from and against any and all
Indemnified Liabilities (as hereinafter defined); provided that each Borrower
                                                  --------
shall not have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder with respect to any
Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise solely
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of that Indemnitee as determined
by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

          As used herein, "Indemnified Liabilities" means, collectively, any and
all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource
damages), penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims (including Environmental
Claims), costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling,
testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action
necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials
Activity), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in
connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding
commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall
be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses
incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct,

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<PAGE>

indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign
laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws,
statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or
equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred
by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or
arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including Lenders' agreement to
make the Loans hereunder or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof or
the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder or the use or intended use of any
thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Loan Documents (including any sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the
enforcement of the Guaranties), (ii) the statements contained in the commitment
letter delivered by any Lender to any Borrower with respect thereto, or (iii)
any Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or
arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation,
land ownership, or practice of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

          To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold
harmless set forth in this subsection 10.3 may be unenforceable in whole or in
part because they are violative of any law or public policy, each Borrower shall
contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under
applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities
incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

10.4  Set-Off; Security Interest in Deposit Accounts.

          In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable
law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any
Event of Default each Lender is hereby authorized by each Borrower at any time
or from time to time, without notice to any Borrower or to any other Person, any
such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to
apply any and all deposits (general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced
by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including
trust accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by that
Lender to or for the credit or the account of such Borrower against and on
account of the obligations and liabilities of such Borrower to that Lender under
this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and participations therein and the other
Loan Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of
or connected with this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and participations
therein or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not (i) that
Lender shall have made any demand hereunder or (ii) the principal of or the
interest on the Loans or any amounts in respect of the Letters of Credit or any
other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to
Section 8 and although said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be
contingent or unmatured.  Each Borrower hereby further grants to Agent and each
Lender a security interest in all deposits and accounts maintained with Agent or
such Lender as security for the Obligations.

10.5  Ratable Sharing.

          A.  Amounts Owed by Company.  Considering separately the Domestic Term
Loan Exposure, Acquisition Loan Exposure, Working Capital Revolving Loan
Exposure and Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of each Lender, Lenders hereby agree
among themselves that if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment (other
than a voluntary prepayment of

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<PAGE>

Loans made and applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), by
realization upon security, through the exercise of any right of set-off or
banker's lien, by counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any
right under the Loan Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a
deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or
reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest,
amounts payable in respect of Letters of Credit, fees and other amounts then due
and owing to that Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents with
respect to such Lender's Domestic Term Loan Exposure, Acquisition Loan Exposure,
Working Capital Revolving Loan Exposure or Tranche B Term Loan Exposure, as the
case may be (collectively, the "Aggregate Amounts Due" to such Lender) which is
greater than the proportion received by any other Lender having a Domestic Term
Loan Exposure, Acquisition Loan Exposure, Working Capital Revolving Loan
Exposure or Tranche B Term Loan Exposure, as the case may be, in respect of the
Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender, then the Lender receiving such
proportionately greater payment shall (i) notify Agent and each other Lender
having a Domestic Term Loan Exposure, Acquisition Loan Exposure, Working Capital
Revolving Loan Exposure or Tranche B Term Loan Exposure, as the case may be, of
the receipt of such payment and (ii) apply a portion of such payment to purchase
participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a
participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of
such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders having a
Domestic Term Loan Exposure, Acquisition Loan Exposure, Working Capital
Revolving Loan Exposure or Tranche B Term Loan Exposure, as the case may be, so
that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all such
Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided that if all
                                                            --------
or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing
Lender is thereafter recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or
reorganization of Company or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and
the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such
purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
Company expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any
holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of
banker's lien, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing
by Company to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were
owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

          B.  Amounts Owed By Canadian Borrowers.  Canadian Lenders hereby agree
among themselves that if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment, by
realization upon security, through the exercise of any right of set-off or
banker's lien, by counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any
right under the Loan Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a
deposit treated as cash collateral under any applicable Insolvency Laws, receive
payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal,
interest, fees and other amounts then due and owing to that Lender hereunder or
under the other Loan Documents from Canadian Borrowers (collectively, the
"Aggregate Amounts Due From Canadian Borrowers" to such Lender) which is greater
than the proportion received by any other Canadian Lender in respect of the
Aggregate Amounts Due From Canadian Borrowers to such other Canadian Lender,
then the Canadian Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall
(i) notify Agent and each other Canadian Lender of the receipt of such payment
and (ii) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it
shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation
simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment)
in the Aggregate Amounts Due From Canadian Borrowers to the other Lenders so
that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due From Canadian Borrowers

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<PAGE>

shall be shared by all Canadian Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts
Due From Canadian Borrowers to them (as calculated prior to such recovery);
provided that if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received
--------
by such purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from such Canadian Lender upon
the bankruptcy or reorganization of a Canadian Borrower or otherwise, those
purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such
participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the extent
of such recovery, but without interest. Each Canadian Borrower expressly
consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a
participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker's lien,
set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by such
Canadian Borrower to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder
were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

10.6  Amendments and Waivers.

          No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or of the Notes, and no consent to any departure by any Borrower
therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of
Requisite Lenders; provided that any such amendment, modification, termination,
                   --------
waiver or consent which:

              (a) extends the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note, or
          extends the stated maturity of any Letter of Credit beyond the
          Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, or reduces the rate or
          extends the time of payment of interest or fees thereon (except in
          connection with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase
          in interest rates), or reduces the principal amount thereof (except to
          the extent repaid in cash); or

              (b) releases all or substantially all of (x) the Collateral
          (except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents) under all the
          Collateral Documents, or (y) the Loan Parties (except as expressly
          provided in the Loan Documents) from their obligations under any of
          the Guaranties; or

              (c) amends, modifies or waives any provision of this subsection
          10.6; or

              (d) reduces the percentage specified in the definition "Requisite
          Lenders" (it being understood that, with the consent of Requisite
          Lenders, additional loans or commitments pursuant to this Agreement
          may be included in the determination of Requisite Lenders on
          substantially the same basis as the extensions of Term Loans and
          Revolving Loan Commitments are included on the First Amendment
          Effective Date) or "Requisite Class Lenders"; or

              (e) consents to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower of any
          of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan
          Document;

shall be effective only if evidenced in a writing signed by or on behalf of all
Lenders (with obligations being directly affected).  In addition, (i) no
amendment, modification, termination or waiver which increases the Commitments
of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect shall be effective without
the written concurrence of such Lender, (ii) no amendment,

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<PAGE>

modification, termination or waiver of any provision of any Note shall be
effective without the written concurrence of the Lender which is the holder of
that Note, (iii) no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any
provision of subsection 2.1A(v) or of any other provision of this Agreement
relating to the Swing Line Loan Commitment or the Swing Line Loans shall be
effective without the written concurrence of Swing Line Lender, (iv) no
amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of Section 9 or
of any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms, expressly requires
the approval or concurrence of Agent shall be effective without the written
concurrence of Agent, and (v) no amendment, modification, termination or waiver
of any provision of subsection 2.4 which has the effect of changing any interim
scheduled payments, voluntary or mandatory prepayments, or Commitment reductions
applicable to any Class (the "Affected Class") in a manner that
disproportionately disadvantages such Class relative to any other Class shall be
effective without the written concurrence of Requisite Class Lenders of the
Affected Class (it being understood and agreed that any amendment, modification,
termination or waiver of any such provision which only postpones or reduces any
interim scheduled payment, voluntary or mandatory prepayment, or Commitment
reduction from those set forth in subsection 2.4 with respect to one Class but
not any other Class shall be deemed to disproportionately disadvantage such one
Class but not to disproportionately disadvantage such other Class for purposes
of this clause (v)). Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the
concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or
consents on behalf of that Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No
notice to or demand on any Borrower in any case shall entitle such Borrower to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any
amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance
with this subsection 10.6 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time
outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by any Borrower, on such
Borrower.

10.7  Independence of Covenants.

          All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a
particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the
fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within
the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default if such action is taken or condition
exists.

10.8  Notices.

          Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other
communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States or
Canadian mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when
delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or
telex, or three Business Days after depositing it in the United States or
Canadian mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided that notices
                                                           --------
to Agent shall not be effective until received.  For the purposes hereof, the
address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such party's name on
the signature pages hereof or (i) as to Borrowers and Agent, such other address
as shall be designated by such Person in a written notice delivered to the other

                                      137
<PAGE>

parties hereto and (ii) as to each other party, such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice delivered to Agent.

10.9  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.

          A.  All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans
and the issuance of the Letters of Credit hereunder.

          B.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or implied by law to
the contrary, the agreements of Borrowers set forth in subsections 2.6D, 2.7,
3.5A, 3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in
subsections 9.2C, 9.4 and 10.5 shall survive the payment of the Loans, the
cancellation or expiration of the Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any
amounts drawn thereunder, and the termination of this Agreement.

10.10  Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.

          No failure or delay on the part of Agent or any Lender in the exercise
of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document
shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of
any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or
of any other power, right or privilege.  All rights and remedies existing under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative to, and not exclusive
of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

10.11  Marshalling; Payments Set Aside.

          Neither Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal
any assets in favor of any Borrower or any other party or against or in payment
of any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that any Borrower makes a
payment or payments to Agent or Lenders (or to Agent for the benefit of
Lenders), or Agent or Lenders enforce any security interests or exercise their
rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such
enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared
to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a
trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state
or federal law, common law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such
recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied,
and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived
and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not
been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

10.12  Severability.

          In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or the
Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

                                      138
<PAGE>

10.13  Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders' Rights.

          The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall
be responsible for the obligations or Commitments of any other Lender hereunder.
Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by
Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a
partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The
amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and
independent debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its
rights arising out of this Agreement and it shall not be necessary for any other
Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

10.14  Headings.

          Section and subsection headings in this Agreement are included herein
for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

10.15  Applicable Law.

          THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

10.16  Successors and Assigns.

          This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders (it being understood that
Lenders' rights of assignment are subject to subsection 10.1).  None of the
Borrowers' rights or obligations hereunder nor any interest therein may be
assigned or delegated by any Borrower without the prior written consent of all
Lenders.

10.17  Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.

          ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY BORROWER ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS
THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK.  BY EXECUTING AND
DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH BORROWER, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

          (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE
          JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

          (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

                                      139
<PAGE>

          (III)  AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN
          ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN
          RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE
          WITH SUBSECTION 10.8;

          (IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
          SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER COMPANY IN ANY SUCH
          PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
          BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

          (V) AGREES THAT LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER
          MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST COMPANY IN THE
          COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

          (VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION 10.17 RELATING TO
          JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST
          EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-
          1402 OR OTHERWISE.

10.18  Waiver of Jury Trial.

          EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS
RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS
BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE
LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED.  The scope of this
waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be
filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction,
including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other
common law and statutory claims.  Each party hereto acknowledges that this
waiver is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each
has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each
will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Each
party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver
with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS
IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING
(OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SUBSECTION
10.18 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY
TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR
AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER.  In the event of litigation,
this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

                                      140
<PAGE>

10.19  Confidentiality.

          Each Lender shall hold all non-public information obtained pursuant to
the requirements of this Agreement which has been identified as confidential by
any Borrower in accordance with such Lender's customary procedures for handling
confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and sound
banking practices, it being understood and agreed by each Borrower that in any
event a Lender may make disclosures to Affiliates of such Lender or disclosures
reasonably required by any bona fide assignee, transferee or participant in
connection with the contemplated assignment or transfer by such Lender of any
Loans or any participations therein or disclosures required or requested by any
governmental agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process;
provided that, unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order,
--------
each Lender shall notify Company of any request by any governmental agency or
representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any
examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental
agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of
such information; and provided, further that in no event shall any Lender be
                      --------  -------
obligated or required to return any materials furnished by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

10.20  Judgment Currency.

          A.  If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is
necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in any currency (the "Original
Currency") into another currency (the "Other Currency"), the parties hereto
agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that the rate of exchange used
shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Agent
could purchase the Original Currency with the Other Currency on the Business Day
immediately preceding the day on which any such judgment, or any relevant part
thereof, is paid or otherwise satisfied.

          B.  The obligations of each Borrower in respect of any sum due from it
to the Lenders hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in such Other
Currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following
receipt by the Agent of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Other Currency the
Agent may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Original
Currency with the Other Currency; if the Original Currency so purchased is less
than the sum originally due to the Lenders in the Original Currency, such
Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment,
to indemnify the Lenders against such loss, and if the amount of the Original
Currency so purchased exceeds the sum originally due to the Lenders in the
Original Currency, the Lenders shall remit such excess to such Borrower.

10.21  Counterparts; Effectiveness.

          This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements
hereto or in connection herewith may be executed in any number of counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single
counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.  This

                                      141
<PAGE>

Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by
each of the parties hereto and receipt by each Borrower and Agent of written or
telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                      142
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.

          BORROWERS:

                                       HINES NURSERIES, INC.

                                       By:______________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Hines Nurseries, Inc.
                                              12621 Jeffrey Road
                                              Irvine, California 92620

                                              Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                              Telecopy No.: (714) 786-0968

                                      S-1
<PAGE>

                                       SUN GRO HORTICULTURE CANADA LTD.

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd.
                                              15831 NE 8th Street, #100
                                              Bellevue, Washington 98008

                                              Attention: President
                                              Telecopy No.: (425) 450-9587

                                       With a copy to:

                                              Hines Nurseries, Inc.
                                              12621 Jeffrey Road
                                              Irvine, California 92620

                                              Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                              Telecopy No.: (949) 786-0968

                                      S-2
<PAGE>

                                       LAKELAND CANADA LTD.

                                       By:______________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Lakeland Canada Ltd.
                                              c/o Hines Nurseries, Inc.
                                              12621 Jeffrey Road
                                              Irvine, California 92620

                                              Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                              Telecopy No.: (949) 786-0968

                                      S-3
<PAGE>

          LENDERS:

                                       BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                       as a Domestic Lender, Administrative
                                       Agent and Issuing Lender

                                          By:___________________________________
                                          Title:________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Bankers Trust Company
                                              One Bankers Trust Plaza
                                              New York, New York 10006
                                              Attention:  Gaelle Vaval
                                              Telecopy No.:  212-250-6029

                                       With a copy to:

                                              Bankers Trust Company
                                              300 South Grand Avenue
                                              41st Floor
                                              Los Angeles, California  90071
                                              Attention:  Wade T. Winter
                                              Telephone No.:  213-620-8200
                                              Telecopy No.:  213-620-8484

                                      S-4
<PAGE>

                                       BT BANK OF CANADA,
                                       as Canadian Agent

                                              By:_______________________________
                                              Title:____________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              BT Bank of Canada
                                              200 Bay Street
                                              Suite 1700
                                              Royal Bank Plaza, North Tower
                                              Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J2
                                              Attention:  Marcellus Leung
                                              Telecopy No.:  416-865-9931

                                      S-5
<PAGE>

                                      BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
                                      SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                                      as a Domestic Lender and Syndication Agent

                                              By:_______________________________
                                              Title:____________________________

                                      Notice Address:

                                              Bank of America NT&SA
                                              675 Anton Boulevard
                                              Costa Mesa, California 92626
                                              Attention: Nancy Roberts
                                              Telecopy No.: (714) 850-6586

                                      S-6
<PAGE>

                                    HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
                                    as a Domestic Lender and Documentation Agent

                                    By:_________________________________________
                                    Title:______________________________________

                                    Notice Address:

                                           Harris Trust and Savings Bank
                                           111 West Monroe Street
                                           18th Floor
                                           Chicago, Illinois 60603
                                           Attention: Marielcy Estrada
                                           Telecopy No.: (312) 293-4798

                                      S-7
<PAGE>

                                       LASALLE NATIONAL BANK,
                                       as a Domestic Lender

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              LaSalle National Bank
                                              135 South LaSalle
                                              Suite 304
                                              Chicago, Illinois 60603
                                              Attention: Lisa Hergold
                                              Telecopy No.: (312) 904-4779

                                      S-8
<PAGE>

                                   UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.,
                                   as a Domestic Lender and as a Canadian Lender

                                   By:__________________________________________
                                   Title:_______________________________________

                                   Notice Address:

                                          Union Bank of California, N.A.
                                          70 South Lake Avenue
                                          Suite 900
                                          Pasadena, California 91101
                                          Attention: Karen Hicks
                                          Telecopy No.: (626) 304-1846

                                      S-9
<PAGE>

                                   WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
                                   as a Domestic Lender and as a Canadian Lender

                                   By:__________________________________________
                                   Title:_______________________________________

                                   Notice Address:

                                          Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
                                          201 West Third Street
                                          Eighth Floor
                                          San Francisco, California 94103
                                          Attention: Tala Auelua
                                          Telecopy No.: (415) 479-0675

                                     S-10
<PAGE>

                                       DRESDNER BANK AG NEW YORK AND GRAND
                                       CAYMAN BRANCHES,
                                       as a Domestic Lender

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Dresdner Bank AG
                                              75 Wall Street
                                              New York, New York 10005-2889
                                              Attention: Gary Jermanski
                                              Telecopy No.: (212) 429-2130

                                     S-11
<PAGE>

                                       COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-
                                       BOERENLEENBANK B.A., "RABOBANK
                                       NEDERLAND" NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                       as a Domestic Lender

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Rabobank Nederland
                                              245 Park Avenue
                                              36th Floor
                                              New York, New York 10167
                                              Attention: Nilsa Ware
                                              Telecopy No.: (212) 916-7930

                                     S-12
<PAGE>

                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                       as a Domestic Lender

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Fleet National Bank
                                              One Federal Street
                                              Mail Stop MA/OF/DO3C
                                              Boston, Massachusetts 02211
                                              Attention: Vani Rattan
                                              Telecopy No.: (617) 346-4375

                                     S-13
<PAGE>

                                       CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ,
                                       as a Domestic Lender

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Credit Agricole Indosuez
                                              55 East Monroe Street
                                              Suite 4700
                                              Chicago, Illinois 60603
                                              Attention: Wilma Persenaire
                                              Telecopy No.: (312) 372-4421

                                     S-14
<PAGE>

                                       BANK OF MONTREAL,
                                       as a Canadian Lender

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                             Bank of Montreal
                                             595 Burrard Street
                                             6th Floor
                                             P.O. Box 49500
                                             Vancouver, British Columbia V7X 1L7
                                             Attention: Annie Shiozaki
                                             Telecopy No.: (604) 665-7460

                                     S-15
<PAGE>

                                   NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA,
                                   as a Domestic Lender and as a Canadian Lender

                                   By:__________________________________________
                                   Title:_______________________________________

                                   Notice Address:

                                          National Bank of Canada
                                          125 West 55th Street
                                          New York, New York 10019
                                          Attention: Thelma Wright
                                          Telecopy No.: (213) 629-3810

                                     S-16
<PAGE>

                                       SANWA BANK OF CALIFORNIA,
                                       as a Domestic Lender

                                       By:______________________________________
                                       Title:___________________________________

                                       Notice Address:

                                              Sanwa Bank of California
                                              601 South Figueroa Street
                                              W8-12
                                              Los Angeles, California 90017
                                              Attention: Dee Hopkins
                                              Telecopy No.: (213) 896-7282

                                     S-17<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.24

                              PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND AMONG

                             HINES NURSERIES, INC.

                              LOVELL FARMS, INC.

                             BOTANICAL FARMS, INC.

                             WARREN W. LOVELL III

                               JEFFREY S. LOVELL

                     JENIFER E. MORENO, AS TRUSTEE OF THE

                     TRACE LOVELL FAMILY INVESTMENT TRUST

                                      AND

                               ENRIQUE A. YANES

                           DATED AS OF MARCH 3, 2000
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                Page
                                                                                ----
<C>             <S>                                                             <C>
Section 1.      ACQUISITION..................................................    2
        1.1     Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities......................    2
                (a) Acquired Assets..........................................    2
                (b) Excluded Assets..........................................    4
        1.2     Partnership Interests and Enviro-Safe Stock..................    4
Section 2.      PURCHASE PRICE AND OTHER TERMS...............................    5
        2.1     Purchase Price...............................................    5
        2.2     Earn-Out.....................................................    6
        2.3     Increase in Purchase Price...................................    9
        2.4     [RESERVED]...................................................   12
        2.5     [RESERVED]...................................................   12
        2.6     Sales, Use and Transfer Taxes................................   12
        2.7     Allocation of Purchase Price.................................   12
        2.8     Possession...................................................   12
        2.9     Representative...............................................   12
Section 3.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS....................   13
        3.1     Capitalization...............................................   13
        3.2     Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments....................   13
        3.3     Organization, Good Standing and Authority....................   14
        3.4     Execution and Delivery.......................................   14
        3.5     No Conflicts.................................................   14
        3.6     Financial Statements.........................................   15
        3.7     No Undisclosed Liabilities; Trade Payables...................   15
        3.8     Absence of Certain Changes...................................   15
        3.9     Property; Encumbrances.......................................   17
        3.10    Condition of Personal Property...............................   17
        3.11    Condition of Real Property...................................   17
        3.12    Accounts Receivable..........................................   18
        3.13    Inventories..................................................   18
        3.14    Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights.................   18
</TABLE>
                                      -i-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               Page
                                                                               ----
<S>             <C>                                                            <C>
        3.15    Banking......................................................   18
        3.16    Insurance....................................................   19
        3.17    Indebtedness.................................................   19
        3.18    Judgments; Litigation........................................   19
        3.19    Government Payments..........................................   20
        3.20    No Unlawful Contributions....................................   20
        3.21    Employee Benefit Matters.....................................   21
        3.22    Permits, Licenses, Etc.......................................   22
        3.23    Consents.....................................................   23
        3.24    Material Contracts; No Defaults..............................   23
        3.25    Employee Matters.............................................   24
        3.26    Affiliations.................................................   24
        3.27    Principal Customers and Suppliers............................   25
        3.28    Compliance with Laws.........................................   26
        3.29    Product Liability and Product Warranty.......................   26
        3.30    Hazardous Materials..........................................   26
        3.31    Utilities....................................................   27
        3.32    Condition of Structures and Tangible Personal Property.......   27
        3.33    Year 2000 Compliance.........................................   27
        3.34    Brokers' Fees................................................   27
        3.35    Disclosure...................................................   28
        3.36    No Third Party Approval Required.............................   28
Section 4.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER AND PARENT.......   28
        4.1     Organization and Good Standing...............................   28
        4.2     Execution and Delivery.......................................   28
        4.3     No Conflicts.................................................   28
        4.4     Brokers' Fees................................................   29
        4.5     Approval.....................................................   29
        4.6     No Third Party Approval Required.............................   29
</TABLE>
                                     -ii-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               Page
                                                                               ----
<S>             <C>                                                            <C>
Section 5.      [RESERVED]...................................................   29
Section 6.      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING; POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS....   29
        6.1     Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser.......................   29
                (a)  Representations and Warranties; Performance of
                     Obligations.............................................   30
                (b)  Certificates and Deliveries by Sellers..................   30
                (c)  No Injunction...........................................   30
                (d)  Authorizations..........................................   30
                (e)  Consents and Approvals..................................   30
                (f)  Bill of Sale............................................   31
                (g)  Opinion of Counsel to Sellers and Shareholders..........   31
                (h)  Assignment of Partnership Interests.....................   31
                (i)  Stock Certificates......................................   31
                (j)  Termination of Liens....................................   31
                (k)  No Material Adverse Change..............................   31
                (l)  Transfer of Excluded Real Property......................   31
                (m)  Real Property...........................................   31
                (n)  Title Report............................................   31
                (o)  Surveys.................................................   32
                (p)  Environmental Audit.....................................   32
                (q)  Financing...............................................   32
                (r)  Assignment and Assumption Agreement.....................   32
                (s)  Assignment of Permits...................................   32
                (t)  Shareholder Loans.......................................   32
        6.2     Conditions to Obligations of Sellers and Shareholders........   32
                (a)  Representations and Warranties; Performance of
                     Obligations.............................................   32
                (b)  Certificates and Deliveries by Purchaser................   33
                (c)  No Injunction...........................................   33
</TABLE>
                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               Page
                                                                               ----
<S>             <C>                                                            <C>
                (d)   Consents and Approvals.................................   33
                (e)   Assignment and Assumption Agreement....................   33
                (f)   Payment of Purchase Price..............................   33
                (g)   Tax Indemnity Agreement................................   33
                (h)   Closing Costs..........................................   33
                (i)   Opinion of Counsel of Purchaser........................   34
        6.3     Post-Closing Obligations.....................................   34
                (a)   Name Change............................................   34
                (b)   Release of Guarantees..................................   34
                (c)   Section 338(h)(10) Election............................   34
                (d)   Payment of Audit Fees and Expenses.....................   35
                (e)   Parent Guaranty........................................   35
Section 7.      INDEMNIFICATION..............................................   35
        7.1     Survival Provisions..........................................   35
        7.2     Indemnification..............................................   36
        7.3     Limitations on Indemnification...............................   37
        7.4     Third Party Claims...........................................   37
        7.5     Representative...............................................   38
        7.6     Other Agreements; Offset Rights..............................   38
        7.7     Exclusive Rights.............................................   39
        7.8     Guarantees...................................................   39
Section 8.      COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE.....................................   39
        8.1     Covenant Not to Compete......................................   39
        8.2     No Solicitation..............................................   39
        8.3     Severability.................................................   40
        8.4     Specific Performance.........................................   40
Section 9.      CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING..........................   40
        9.1     Qualification................................................   40
        9.2     Ordinary Course.............................................    40
</TABLE>
                                     -iv-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               Page
                                                                               ----
<S>             <C>                                                            <C>
        9.3     Organic Changes..............................................   41
        9.4     Indebtedness.................................................   41
        9.5     Accounting...................................................   41
        9.6     Compliance with Legal Requirements...........................   41
        9.7     Disposition of Assets........................................   41
        9.8     Compensation.................................................   41
        9.9     Modification or Breach of Agreements; New Agreements.........   42
        9.10    Capital Expenditures.........................................   42
        9.11    Maintain Insurance...........................................   42
        9.12    Discharge....................................................   42
Section 10.     TERMINATION..................................................   42
        10.1    Grounds for Termination......................................   42
        10.2    Effect of Termination........................................   43
Section 11.     GENERAL PROVISIONS...........................................   43
        11.1    Notices......................................................   43
        11.2    Severability.................................................   44
        11.3    Expenses.....................................................   44
        11.4    Public Announcements.........................................   45
        11.5    Third-Party Rights...........................................   45
        11.6    Entire Agreement.............................................   45
        11.7    Successors and Assigns.......................................   45
        11.8    Counterparts.................................................   45
        11.9    Recitals, Schedules and Exhibits.............................   45
        11.10   Construction.................................................   45
        11.11   Governing Law................................................   46
        11.12   Attorneys' Fees..............................................   46
        11.13   Arbitration..................................................   46
</TABLE>
                                      -v-
<PAGE>

                              PURCHASE AGREEMENT

          This Purchase Agreement is made and entered into as of March 3, 2000
(this "Agreement"), by and among Hines Nurseries, Inc., a California corporation
("Purchaser"), Hines Horticulture, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"),
Enrique A. Yanes ("Yanes"), Warren W. Lovell III ("WLovell"), Jenifer E. Moreno,
as trustee of the Trace Lovell Family Investment Trust (the "Trust"), Jeffrey S.
Lovell ("JLovell"; Yanes, WLovell, the Trust and JLovell, hereinafter are
referred to as "Shareholders"), Lovell Farms, Inc., a Florida corporation
("Lovell Farms") and Botanical Farms, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Botanical
Farms") (Lovell Farms and Botanical Farms are hereinafter collectively are
referred to as "Sellers").

                                    RECITALS

          A.  (i) Shareholders and (ii) WLovell and JLovell, own all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Lovell Farms and Botanical
Farms, respectively;

          B.  JLovell and WLovell own all of the issued and outstanding shares
of capital stock of Enviro-Safe Laboratories, Inc., a Florida corporation
("Enviro-Safe");

          C.  JLovell and WLovell own all of the partnership interests of Lovell
Properties, a Florida general partnership ("Lovell Partnership");

          D.  Sellers and Lovell Partnership own all of the real and personal
property used in the operation of the business commonly referred to as Lovell
Farms in Miami, Florida and Blairsville, Georgia, as more particularly described
below;

          E.  Sellers desire to sell certain assets, and JLovell and WLovell
desire to sell, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
Enviro-Safe and all of the partnership interests of Lovell Partnership to
Purchaser, and Purchaser desires to purchase such assets, capital stock and
partnership interests from Sellers, Shareholders, JLovell and WLovell and to
assume certain liabilities upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, all pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth
herein, for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be bound hereby, the parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

                                   AGREEMENT

Section 1.   ACQUISITION.
             -----------

        1.1  Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities.
             ---------------------------------------

             (a)  Acquired Assets.  Upon the terms and subject to the
                  ---------------
conditions of this Agreement, as of the Closing, Purchaser shall purchase from
Sellers, and such Sellers shall sell, assign, transfer and convey to Purchaser,
all of such Sellers' right, title and interest in and to all of the property,
rights, contracts and claims directly related to or used in the operation of the
business of such Sellers, wherever located and whether or not carried or
reflected on the books and records of such Sellers and whether or not carried in
the names of such Sellers, including, but not limited to, the following
property, rights, contracts and claims, but excluding the Excluded Assets
(collectively, the "Acquired Assets"):

                  (i)   Business Rights.  All of each such Seller's right, title
                        ---------------
and interest in and to all patents, patent applications, rights to sue for
infringements of patents, trademarks, servicemarks, trademark and servicemark
registrations and applications, copyrights, copyright registrations and
applications, trade names, fictitious business names, logos, brand names,
computer software, together with any rights at common law directly arising
therefrom, licenses with respect to any of the foregoing and other intellectual
property rights used in connection with the business of any such Seller, all of
which are listed on Schedule 1.1(a)(i) (the "Business Rights").

                  (ii)  Owned Real Property.  All of the following:
                        -------------------
                        (a)  the parcels of land described on Schedule 1.1(a)
(ii)(a) hereto (the "Sellers' Land"), together with all the rights and
appurtenances pertaining thereto, including, without limitation, any right,
title and interest of such Sellers in and to adjacent streets, alleys or rights-
of-way, covenants, agreements, rights, tenements, hereditaments and any
easements serving the Sellers' Land;

                        (b)  all improvements, structures and fixtures on the
Sellers' Land (the "Sellers' Improvements"), including those described on
Schedule 1.1(a)(ii)(b) hereto; and

                        (c)  plans, specifications, surveys, studies, reports,
renderings or drawings pertaining to the Sellers' Land and Sellers'
Improvements.

     The Sellers' Land and the Sellers' Improvements are sometimes collectively
referred to herein as the "Sellers' Real Property".

                  (iii)  Leased Real Property.  All of each Seller's leasehold
                         --------------------
interests in real property and buildings used in connection with each such
Seller's business and all of each such Seller's right, title and interest in and
to the security deposits, if any, paid by such Sellers (or their
predecessors-in-interest) with respect to

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

any leasehold interests listed on Schedule 1.1(a)(iii) (the "Sellers' Leased
Real Property").

                  (iv)   Customer Lists. All customer or vendor lists or other
                         --------------
documents used by each such Seller in its business, including, but not limited
to, correspondence, credit information, manuals, and data, sales, marketing and
advertising materials.

                  (v)    Contracts.  All of each such Seller's rights and
                         ---------
interests under the contracts, instruments, agreements, commitments or other
understandings or arrangements attributable or relating to each such Seller's
business, the Acquired Assets or the Assumed Liabilities (the "Contracts").

                  (vi)   Records and Documentation.  Originals or, at each
                         -------------------------
such Seller's option, copies of all business and financial records, tax
information, files, books and form contracts specifically relating to the
Acquired Assets described in the other clauses of this Section 1.1(a) or to the
Assumed Liabilities, including, but not limited to, books and records, if any,
which reflect the principal terms of each Contract Purchased by Purchaser.

                  (vii)  Authorizations.  All federal, foreign, state, local
                         --------------
or other governmental consents, licenses, permits, grants or authorizations and
the like owned, held or utilized by each such Seller in the operation of their
business (the "Authorizations").

                  (viii) Inchoate Rights.  All rights, claims, credits, causes
                         ---------------
of action or rights of set-off with respect to or arising out of (A) the
Acquired Assets, (B) the Assumed Liabilities or (C) proceeds paid or payable
under insurance contracts relating to the Acquired Assets.

                  (ix)   Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, etc.  All items of
                         -----------------------------------
furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, equipment, vehicles, computers,
computer software, photocopy machines and office supplies, whether owned or
leased by each such Seller and used in each such Seller's business, all of which
are listed on Schedule 1.1(a)(ix) (the "Furniture & Equipment").

                  (x)    Inventory.  All items of inventory used in connection
                         ---------
with each such Seller's business (the "Inventory").

                  (xi)   Accounts Receivable.  The accounts receivable of such
                         -------------------
Sellers.

                  (xii)  Other Items of Property.  All other items of property,
                         -----------------------
other than the Excluded Assets, which are used by each such Seller in connection
with each such Seller's business to the extent that each such Seller has any
rights or interests therein that are assignable.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                  (xiii)  Goodwill.  All goodwill associated with any of the
                          --------
business conducted by each such Seller and any of the assets, properties and
rights set forth above.

             (b)  Excluded Assets.  No such Seller shall sell, assign,
                  ---------------
transfer or convey to Purchaser, nor shall Purchaser purchase (i) the corporate
charter, qualifications to conduct business as foreign corporations,
arrangements with registered agents relating to foreign qualifications, taxpayer
and other identification numbers, seals, minute books, stock transfer books,
blank stock certificates, and any other documents relating to the organization,
maintenance, and existence of such Sellers as corporations, (ii) any of the
rights of such Sellers under this Agreement or any other agreement entered into
in connection with this Agreement, (iii) any of the assets or properties set
forth on Schedule 1.1(b), or (iv) cash of such Sellers (collectively, the
"Excluded Assets").

             (c)  Assumed Liabilities.  Upon the terms and subject to the
                  -------------------
conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance on the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements made by each such Seller herein, effective
as of the Closing Date, Purchaser shall assume and be obligated pursuant to this
Agreement to pay when due, perform, or discharge only (i) the liabilities of
Lovell Farms and Botanical Farms becoming due after the Closing Date under the
agreements listed on Schedule 1.1(c), including capital leases not to exceed an
amount equal to (A) $600,000 less (B) the amount of capital leases held by
Enviro-Safe, which Lovell Farms and Botanical Farms will assign to Purchaser on
the Closing Date, (ii) accounts payable and accrued liabilities of Lovell Farms
and Botanical Farms which arose in the Ordinary Course, and are still
outstanding in the Ordinary Course at the Closing (but not any accrued
liabilities or payables which Lovell Farms or Botanical Farms has failed to pay
in a timely manner, or accounts payable represented by invoices dated on or
prior to December 31, 1999 with due dates on or prior to the Closing Date, or
failed to pay consistent with its past practices or any liabilities to the
Performance Group or liabilities for legal fees arising from or related to this
Agreement), (iii) open purchase orders arising in the Ordinary Course and (iv)
workers compensation liabilities of Sellers (collectively, the "Assumed
Liabilities").

             (d)  Liabilities Excluded by Purchaser.  Except as set forth in
                  ---------------------------------
Schedule 1.1(c), Purchaser shall not assume or otherwise become obligated
pursuant to this Agreement to pay when due, perform or discharge any debts,
claims, liabilities, obligations, damages or expenses of any Seller (whether
known or unknown, contingent or absolute, or arising before, on or after the
Closing Date). In no event shall Purchaser assume any liability for (i) taxes
with respect to periods ending prior to the Closing Date, except for sales,
payroll and withholding taxes included among liabilities described in Section
1.1(c)(ii), (ii) defaults under contracts or obligations of Sellers resulting
from events or occurrences arising prior to the Closing Date, (iii) broker's
fees or other expenses related to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement incurred by Sellers or Shareholders, (iv) loans from Shareholders or
other loans for borrowed money or (v) obligations under contracts or agreements
of Sellers not listed on Schedule 1.1(c) hereto (collectively, the "Excluded
Liabilities").

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

        1.2  Partnership Interests and Enviro-Safe Stock.  At Closing,
             -------------------------------------------
Purchaser agrees to purchase from JLovell and WLovell, and JLovell and WLovell
agree to sell, assign and transfer to Purchaser (i) all of the partnership
interests of Lovell Partnership, free and clear of all Liens, and (ii) all of
the outstanding stock of Enviro-Safe, free and clear of all Liens. As a result
of the foregoing, Purchaser will indirectly own all of the property, rights,
contracts and claims directly related to or used in the operation of the
business of Lovell Partnership and Enviro-Safe, including, without limitation,
the following:

             (a)  the parcels of land described on Schedule 1.2(a) hereto which
shall exclude the property described on Schedule 1.2(a)(i) (the "Acquired Land";
the Acquired Land and the Sellers' Land are sometimes collectively referred to
herein as the "Land"), together with all the rights and appurtenances pertaining
thereto, including, without limitation, any right, title and interest of such
parties in and to adjacent streets, alleys or rights-of-way, covenants,
agreements, rights, tenements, hereditaments and any easements serving the
Acquired Land;

             (b)  all improvements, structures and fixtures on the Acquired
Land (the "Acquired Improvements"; the Acquired Improvements and the Sellers'
Improvements are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the
"Improvements"), including those described on Schedule 1.2(b) hereto; and

             (c)  plans, specifications, surveys, studies, reports, renderings
or drawings pertaining to the Acquired Land and Acquired Improvements.

     The Acquired Land and the Acquired Improvements are sometimes collectively
referred to herein as the "Acquired Real Property" and the Acquired Real
Property and Sellers' Real Property are sometimes collectively referred to
herein as the "Real Property."

             (d)  All of such parties' leasehold interests in real property and
buildings used in connection with each parties' business and all of each such
parties' right, title and interest in and to the security deposits, if any, paid
by such parties (or their predecessors-in-interest) with respect to any
leasehold interests listed on Schedule 1.2(d) (the "Acquired Leased Real
Property"; the Sellers' Leased Real Property and the Acquired Leased Real
Property are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Leased Real
Property").

Section 2.   PURCHASE PRICE AND OTHER TERMS.
             ------------------------------

        2.1  Purchase Price.
             --------------

             (a)  At Closing, as consideration for the Acquired Assets, the
partnership interests of Lovell Partnership and the stock of Enviro-Safe,
Purchaser shall pay to Sellers an aggregate amount of Ninety Million Dollars
($90,000,000) (the "Purchase Price").  The Purchase Price is subject to
increases and adjustments pursuant to Sections 2.2 and 2.3 below.  The Purchase
Price, as adjusted, shall be allocated among the Acquired Assets, the
partnership interests of Lovell Partnership and the stock of

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

Enviro-Safe pursuant to Schedule 2.7 hereof, and shall be paid in cash to
Sellers and Shareholders in the amounts set forth on Schedule 2.1.

             (b)  [RESERVED].
                  ----------

        2.2  Earn-Out. In addition to the Purchase Price set forth in Section
             --------
2.1, Purchaser shall pay to Lovell Farms an additional amount based on the
Adjusted EBITDA of the operations (as set forth in Sections 1.1 and Section 1.2
hereof) purchased by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement (the "Purchased
Operations") during the calendar year 2000 and 2001, subject to Section 2.2(g)
below (the "Earn-Out") as determined as set forth below.

        "Adjusted EBITDA" shall mean the amount determined pursuant to
the terms of Schedule 2.2 attached hereto.

        (a)  As soon as possible following December 31, 2000, but in no event
later than March 31, 2001, Purchaser shall deliver to Shareholders (i) the
financial statements of the Purchased Operations for the year ended December 31,
2000 (the "Purchased Operations Financials"), and (ii) a calculation of the
Purchased Operations Adjusted EBITDA for 2000 (the "Purchaser's 2000 Adjusted
EBITDA Calculation"). Shareholders shall be entitled to cause their attorneys,
accountants and other representatives to examine the books and records of the
Purchaser during normal business hours for the purpose of verifying such
calculation.

        (b)  If Shareholders object to the Purchaser's 2000 Adjusted EBITDA
Calculation within twenty days after receipt thereof, Shareholders shall notify
Purchaser of the same in writing, in accordance with the notice provisions of
this Agreement, and deliver to Purchaser a proposed modification to Purchaser's
2000 Adjusted EBITDA Calculation, accompanied by reasonable supporting detail,
setting forth (i) the amount of the proposed modification, (ii) the item or
items to which such proposed modification relates, and (iii) the facts and
circumstances supporting the reasonableness and propriety of such modification
(the "Proposed EBITDA Modification"). If Shareholders do not object to the
Purchaser's 2000 Adjusted EBITDA Calculation within such twenty-day period, the
Purchaser's 2000 Adjusted EBITDA Calculation shall be final, conclusive and
binding on Shareholders, Sellers and Purchaser.

        (c)  If Shareholders object and deliver a Proposed EBITDA Modification
within such twenty-day period, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to
reach an agreement. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute among
themselves within twenty (20) days after the receipt of the Proposed EBITDA
Modification, the matter shall be submitted to KPMG Peat Marwick (the
"Independent Accountants"). As promptly as practicable, but in no event later
than ten (10) days after such submission, the parties, or their respective
accountants, shall deliver to the Independent Accountants written submissions in
support of their positions with respect to such dispute and shall direct the
Independent Accountants to resolve such dispute. The costs of the Independent
Accountants shall be divided equally between Purchaser, on the one hand, and
Sellers, on the other hand. The decision of the Independent Accountants with
respect to the

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

computation of the Adjusted EBITDA for 2000 shall be final and binding on each
of the parties hereto.

        (d)  Upon final determination of the Adjusted EBITDA for 2000, and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 2.2(g) below, Purchaser
shall pay to the Sellers $7.50 for every dollar by which the Adjusted EBITDA for
2000 exceeds $14,000,000, but not more than an aggregate of $7,500,000 for 2000.
If the Adjusted EBITDA for 2000 is equal to or less than $14,000,000, there
shall be no Earn-Out payment due for the calendar year 2000.

        (e)  The provisions of Sections 2.2(a) through (c) above shall be
recalculated for the calendar year 2001 and, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in Section 2.2(g) below, Purchaser shall pay to Sellers an amount
equal to (i) $5.00 for every dollar by which the Adjusted EBITDA for 2001
exceeds $15,000,000 (including the amount, if any, by which the Adjusted EBITDA
for 2000 exceeds $15,000,000, but not more than an aggregate amount of
$500,000), but not more than an aggregate of $5,000,000 for 2001 plus (ii) five
(5) times the positive number, if any, produced by the following calculation:

        A:  Adjusted EBITDA for 2000, plus
                                      ----

        B:  Lesser of (i) $500,000 or (ii) the excess of the Adjusted EBITDA
            for 2001 over $16,000,000 (excluding carryforward of EBITDA for
            2000, if any), minus
                           -----

        C:  Greater of (i) $14,000,000 or (ii) the Adjusted EBITDA for 2000;

provided, however, that the number produced by A + B - C shall not exceed the
excess, if any, of $15,000,000 over the Adjusted EBITDA for 2000 (the "Year 2000
Limitation"). If the Adjusted EBITDA for 2001 is equal to or less than
$15,000,000 (including the amount, if any, by which the Adjusted EBITDA for 2000
exceeds $15,000,000, but not more than an aggregate of $500,000), there shall be
no Earn-Out payment due for the calendar year 2001.

        The following chart illustrates the application of Section 2.2(e)(ii)
under various hypothetical scenarios:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Assumed Facts                          Result
        -------------                          ------
<S>                <C>                 <C>
      2000              2001           (to be multiplied by 5)
    Adjusted          Adjusted
     EBITDA            EBITDA
     ------            ------
</TABLE>

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Assumed Facts                          Result
        -------------                          ------
<S>                <C>                 <C>
      2000              2001           (to be multiplied by 5)
    Adjusted          Adjusted
     EBITDA            EBITDA
     ------            ------

  $13,500,000        $16,100,000         A  $13,500,000
                                      +  B  $   100,000
                                      -  C  $14,000,000
                                         -  -----------
                                            $       -0-

  $13,500,000        $16,600,000         A  $13,500,000
                                      +  B  $   500,000
                                      -  C  $14,000,000
                                         -  -----------
                                            $       -0-

  $13,900,000        $16,100,000         A  $13,900,000
                                      +  B  $   100,000
                                      -  C  $14,000,000
                                         -  -----------
                                            $       -0-

  $13,900,000        $16,600,000         A  $13,900,000
                                      +  B  $   500,000
                                      -  C  $14,000,000
                                         -  -----------
                                            $   400,000

  $14,600,000        $16,100,000         A  $14,600,000
                                      +  B  $   100,000
                                      -  C  $14,600,000
                                         -  -----------
                                            $   100,000

   $14,600,000       $16,600,000         A  $14,600,000
                                      +  B  $   500,000
                                      -  C  $14,600,000
                                         -  -----------
                                            $   500,000*

   $15,000,000          N/A                 $       -0-
                                      due to the Year 2000
                                          Limitation
</TABLE>
*The Year 2000 Limitation limits the amount to $400,000.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

             (f)  No payments shall be made pursuant to this Section 2.2 until
all disputes regarding the calculation of the Adjusted EBITDA have been resolved
in the manner described in this Section 2.2.

             (g)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the inventory for the
Purchased Operations or the Real Property or Furniture & Equipment suffers
material damage due to a hurricane or other major storm in either calendar year
2000 or 2001, the result of which causes the Adjusted EBITDA to be equal to or
less than $14,000,000 or $15,000,000 (including up to $500,000 by which the
Adjusted EBITDA for 2000 exceeds $15,000,000) for the calendar years 2000 and
2001, respectively, then the Earn-Out for such year, and the succeeding year, if
any, shall be recalculated for the following year. For example, if such damage
occurred in 2000, the Earn-Out for 2000 shall be suspended and the Earn-Out for
2001 shall be based on the calculation in Section 2.2(d) using a threshold
Adjusted EBITDA of $14,000,000 and all references to Adjusted EBITDA for 2000
would mean Adjusted EBITDA for 2001. In such event, the original Earn-Out for
2001 shall be suspended until 2002 when the Earn-Out shall be based on the
calculation in Section 2.2(e) using a threshold Adjusted EBITDA of $15,000,000
and all references to Adjusted EBITDA for 2001 would mean Adjusted EBITDA for
2002.
             (h)  The obligation of Purchaser to make Earn-Out payments to
Lovell Farms pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall survive, and shall not be
eliminated as a result of, (i) any reorganization or reclassification of
Purchaser, (ii) any merger or consolidation of Purchaser with or into any other
entity, or (iii) any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
Purchaser. From the Closing Date until payment in full of each and every Earn-
Out payment in accordance with Section 2.2, Purchaser shall not, and Parent
shall assure that Purchaser shall not, effect any of the foregoing unless after
giving effect thereto Purchaser, its successor or assignee, shall have at least
$13,000,000 in the aggregate in inventory and accounts receivable as calculated
in accordance with GAAP net of any reserve for doubtful accounts.

        2.3  Increase in Purchase Price. The Purchase Price payable in
             --------------------------
accordance with Section 2.1 shall be increased by the amount set forth in
Section 2.3(a) (the "Additional Purchase Price") provided, however, that the
amount of the Additional Purchase Price shall not exceed $2.5 million (the "Cap
Amount").

             (a)  The Additional Purchase Price is the sum of the amounts in
subdivision (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.3(a)

                  (i)  An amount payable to Lovell Farms, a subchapter S
corporation, equal to X multiplied by Y where X equals 1.25 and Y equals (x) the
                                                                          -
amount of the ordinary income net of ordinary deductions realized by Lovell
Farms for income tax purposes arising solely by reason of the sale by Lovell
Farms of its Acquired Assets to Purchaser, and the assumption of their Assumed
Liabilities by Purchaser, in accordance with this Agreement, multiplied by (y)
                                                                            -
19.6 percent. In no event, however, shall Purchaser pay to Lovell Farms any
amounts arising from any failure of Lovell Farms to have been an "S" corporation
continuously since at least January 1, 1990.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

     If the amount in this subdivision (a)(i) equals or exceeds the Cap Amount,
the amount in subdivision (a)(ii) and (a)(iii), below, shall be zero.

             (ii)  An amount payable to JLovell and WLovell equal to X
multiplied by Y where X equals 1.25 and Y equals (x) the amount of the ordinary
                                                  -
income net of ordinary deductions realized by Enviro-Safe for income tax
purposes arising solely by reason of the deemed sale for tax purposes by Enviro-
Safe, due to the 338(h)(10) election contemplated pursuant to Section 6.3(c)
hereof, of its assets to Purchaser, and the related deemed assumption of its
liabilities by Purchaser, in accordance with this Agreement, multiplied by (y)
                                                                            -
19.6 percent.

     If the amount in this subdivision (a)(i) plus (a)(ii) equals or exceeds the
Cap Amount, the amount in subdivision (a)(iii), below, shall be zero.

     The amount set forth in this subdivision (a)(ii) may not exceed the
positive difference between the Cap Amount and the amount in subdivision (a)(i).

             (iii) An amount payable to Botanical Farms, a subchapter C
corporation ("Botanical Farms"), equal to X multiplied by Y where --

                   (x)  X equals the number equal to 1 divided by (i)(aa) 1,
                    -
minus (bb) the marginal, combined, effective Federal and State income tax rate
       --
of Botanical Farms, expressed as a decimal number (i.e., 40 percent would be
                                                   ----
0.40), with respect to the amount payable to Botanical Farms in accordance with
this subdivision (a)(ii) for the taxable year of Botanical Farms ending in 2000
and by assuming that such taxable year closed on the Closing Date.

                   (y)  Y equals the amount of income realized in Botanical
                    -
Farms for Income Tax purposes arising solely by reason of the sale by Botanical
Farms of its Acquired Assets to Purchaser, and the assumption of its Assumed
Liabilities by Purchaser, in accordance with this Agreement.

     In calculating the amount in this subdivision (a)(iii), the number in
subdivision (a)(iii)(x) shall be determined with regard to the application of
                     -
the alternative minimum tax imposed by Section 55 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").  The calculation of the amount payable under
this subdivision (a)(iii) may require trial and error, or multiple, computations
which shall be made in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.338-
4T(d)(3) and (g).  The amount set forth in this subdivision (a)(iii) may not
exceed the positive difference between the Cap Amount and the amounts in
subdivision (a)(i) and (a)(ii).

             (b)  The amount of the income of Lovell Farms or Enviro-Safe set
forth in subdivision (a)(i)(x) and (a)(ii)(x) and the amount of income of
                            -              -
Botanical Farms set forth in subdivision (a)(iii)(y) and shall be based upon the
                                                  -
purchase price allocations set forth in Section 2.7. If those allocations are
later adjusted as a result of an examination or audit by the Internal Revenue
Service or other tax authority, Section 2.3(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) shall be re-
applied based upon those allocations as finally

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

determined. If the Additional Purchase Price, as so re-determined, exceeds the
Additional Purchase Price, as initially determined, Purchaser shall pay such
excess amount (the "Shortfall") to Lovell Farms, Enviro-Safe or Botanical Farms
plus interest at the underpayment rate specified in Section 6621 of the Code;
provided, however, that the sum of the amount of the Shortfall and the
Additional Purchase Price (as initially determined) may not exceed the Cap
Amount. The procedures set forth in Section 7.4 shall apply to any amount
payable by Purchaser to Lovell Farms, Botanical Farms, JLovell or WLovell by
reason of this Section 2.3(a) and (b).

             (c)  On the Closing Date Purchaser shall pay to Lovell Farms,
Botanical Farms, JLovell and WLovell an estimate of the Additional Purchase
Price equal to $2,008,265 in the aggregate (the "Estimated Additional Purchase
Price") based upon the methodology of the purchase price allocation set forth in
Schedule 2.7 with respect to ordinary income items including, but not limited
to, accounts receivable (net of a reserve for bad debts consistent with past
practices), depreciable property, inventory or goods in process or other similar
items or items described in Section 1252 of the Code ("Ordinary Income Items").
A work sheet showing the calculation of the Estimated Additional Purchase Price
is attached hereto as Schedule 2.3(c). On the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall
pay the Estimated Additional Purchase Price to Lovell Farms, Botanical Farms,
JLovell and WLovell.

             (d)  As the precise amount of the Ordinary Income Items will not
be known on the Closing Date, within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date,
Purchaser shall at its expense cause the accountants for Purchaser to examine
the books and records of Lovell Farms, Enviro-Safe and Botanical Farms and
verify the amount of the Ordinary Income Items, and provide written notice to
Lovell Farms, Botanical Farms, JLovell and WLovell of a proposed Additional
Purchase Price along with supporting detail which substantiates the
determination of the Ordinary Income Items and the calculation of the proposed
Additional Purchase Price. To determine the Closing Date inventory amount,
Purchaser shall start with the Opening Inventory Amount (as defined on Schedule
2.2 hereto), add additions to inventory as calculated in accordance with GAAP,
and subtract an amount equal to the Lovell Farms' net sales from January 1, 2000
through the Closing Date multiplied by Lovell Farms' "Historical Percentage of
Cost of Goods Sold." As used herein, Historical Percentage of Cost of Goods Sold
shall mean a fraction, the numerator of which shall be Lovell Farms' cost of
goods sold for calendar year 1999 divided by 1999 net sales. Such cost of goods
sold shall be based on Lovell Farms' 1999 performance and calculated in
accordance with Purchaser's standard procedures for determining cost of goods
sold. Purchaser shall grant Lovell Farms, Botanical Farms, JLovell, WLovell and
their attorneys, accountants or other authorized representatives, access after
the Closing Date to the books and records of Lovell Farms, Enviro-Safe and
Botanical Farms during normal business hours and to the workpapers of the
accountants for Purchaser, and further agree to provide Lovell Farms Botanical
Farms, JLovell and WLovell with other information requested by Lovell Farms,
Botanical Farms, JLovell and WLovell reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy
of the proposed Additional Purchase Price as calculated by Purchaser. Unless
Lovell Farms, or Botanical Farms provides written notice to Purchaser within one
hundred thirty-five (135) days after the Closing Date objecting to the proposed
Additional Purchase Price

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

("Objection Notice"), such proposed Additional Purchase Price shall be the
amount payable under Section 2.3(a) (the "Final Additional Purchase Price").

             (e)  If Lovell Farms, Botanical Farms or the Representative
provides a timely Objection Notice to Purchaser, the parties shall use
reasonable efforts to resolve their differences during the thirty (30) day
period following Purchaser's receipt of the Objection Notice. If the parties
cannot resolve their differences during that 30-day period, the Independent
Accountants shall determine the Final Additional Purchase Price, which shall be
binding upon the parties and whose fees and costs shall be shared equally by
Purchaser, on the one hand, and Lovell Farms, Botanical Farms, JLovell and
WLovell, on the other hand.

             (f)  If the Final Additional Purchase Price exceeds the Estimated
Additional Purchase Price, Purchaser shall pay that excess amount, without
interest, to Lovell Farms, JLovell and WLovell or Botanical Farms, as
applicable, within five (5) days of the determination of the Final Additional
Purchase Price. If the Estimated Additional Purchase Price exceeds the Final
Additional Purchase Price, Lovell Farms, or Botanical Farms, or JLovell and
WLovell as applicable, shall pay that excess amount, without interest, to
Purchaser within five (5) days of the date of determination of the Final
Additional Purchase Price.

        2.4  [RESERVED].

        2.5  [RESERVED].

        2.6  Sales, Use and Transfer Taxes.  In addition to the Purchase Price,
             -----------------------------
at the Closing, Purchaser shall pay the Closing Costs (as defined in Section
6.2(h)), and the Purchaser shall be responsible for (i) for any documentary
stamp taxes, transfer taxes, surtaxes, and any sales, use or other taxes,
duties, fees and governmental exactions imposed by reason of the transfer of the
Acquired Assets, the assignment of the partnership interests of Lovell
Partnership and the vesting of title to the Real Property in Purchaser, all as
provided hereunder and any deficiency, interest or penalty asserted with respect
thereto, and (ii) all expenses associated with the new mortgages placed on the
Acquired Assets, including expenses of the title search and update.

        2.7  Allocation of Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price and Assumed
             ----------------------------
Liabilities shall be allocated in relation to the Acquired Assets, the
partnership interests of Lovell Partnership and the stock of Enviro-Safe as set
forth on Schedule 2.7 hereto. Each party agrees that it will not, in its Tax
returns or elsewhere, take a position inconsistent with the allocations provided
for in this Section.

        2.8  Possession.  Possession of the Acquired Assets will be delivered to
             ----------
Purchaser on the Closing Date, and the assignment to Purchaser of each Seller's
rights in the Contracts, Business Rights, Authorizations, Real Property, Leased
Real Property, Furniture & Equipment and Inventory, and all other assets of
Sellers that are included among the Acquired Assets, and the transfer of the
Assumed Liabilities to the Purchaser,

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

together with the transactions contemplated pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof, will
be effective as between Sellers and Purchaser as of 12:01 a.m. on the Closing
Date.

        2.9  Representative.  Sellers, the Shareholders, and the Lovell
             --------------
Partnership hereby (i) appoint WLovell to act as their representative (the
"Representative") to act on their behalf with respect to all decisions involving
the Additional Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, the Earn-Out
provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, and the indemnification provisions of Section
7 hereof, and (ii) agree to be bound by the actions of the Representative while
acting on behalf of each Seller, Shareholder and the Lovell Partnership pursuant
to such appointment.

Section 3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS.  As an inducement to
             -----------------------------------------
Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, Sellers and Shareholders, jointly and severally, represent
and warrant to Purchaser, and covenant and agree, as of the date hereof and as
of the Closing Date, as follows (to the extent the following representations and
warranties are limited to the "knowledge of Sellers" or similar phrases, the
knowledge of one or more Sellers or Shareholders shall be sufficient to bind all
the other Sellers and "knowledge" shall mean the knowledge of such Shareholder
or Seller, or the knowledge of its directors, partners, officers or Deborah
Jordan, after such individuals have made all reasonable inquiries; for purposes
of the representations, warranties and Schedules set forth in each subsection of
this Section 3, all references to "Sellers" shall include Lovell Partnership and
Enviro-Safe and any defined terms set forth in Section 1.1(a) hereof shall also
be deemed to refer to such property, rights, contracts, claims and other items
held by Lovell Partnership and Enviro-Safe):

        3.1  Capitalization.
             --------------

             (a)  The authorized capital stock of each corporate Seller is as
set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) (the "Common Stock"), of which the shares set forth
on such Schedule are outstanding as of the Closing owned by the persons set
forth on such Schedule. All outstanding shares of Common Stock have been and
will be as of the Closing Date, duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims or encumbrances of any
kind, and none of them was or will be issued in violation of any preemptive or
other right. The outstanding partnership interests of Lovell Partnership are as
set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) owned by the persons set forth on such Schedule,
free and clear of all liens, claims or encumbrances of any kind, and none of
them was or will be issued in violation of any preemptive or other right.

             (b)  There are no outstanding (i) shares of capital stock or other
voting securities of any Seller, (ii) securities of any Seller convertible into
or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of any Seller
or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from any Seller, and there is no
obligation of any Seller to issue any, capital stock, voting securities or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting
securities of such Seller (the items in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being
referred to collectively as the "Company Securities"). There are no outstanding
obligations of such Seller to issue or deliver or to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

acquire any Company Securities, other than transactions conducted or to be
conducted in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

             (c)  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.1(c), no Seller is a party
to any agreement or understanding relating to the ownership, voting or transfer
of any Common Stock or any other Company Securities.

        3.2  Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments.  No Seller owns,
             -----------------------------------------
directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of any corporation, or any
equity investment in any other Person, and no Seller has any obligation to
acquire any such shares or to make any such investment.

        3.3  Organization, Good Standing and Authority.  Each Seller is duly
             -----------------------------------------
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction under which it is organized and has all powers and governmental
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its
business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. Each Seller has been
duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is
in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it is required to
be so qualified, such jurisdictions comprising all jurisdictions in which each
Seller owns or leases any property or maintains any employees.

        3.4  Execution and Delivery.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23, all
             ----------------------
consents, approvals, authorizations and orders necessary for the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements and
instruments contemplated hereby (the "Other Agreements") by each Seller and
Shareholder have been duly and lawfully obtained, and each Seller and
Shareholder has, and at the Closing will have, full right, power, authority and
capacity to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the Other
Agreements.  This Agreement and the Other Agreements have been duly executed and
delivered by the Sellers and Shareholders and constitute legal, valid and
binding agreements of the Sellers and Shareholders enforceable against the
Sellers and Shareholders in accordance with their respective terms, except to
the extent such enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect,
relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles
of equity (whether considered in an action in equity or at law).

        3.5  No Conflicts.  Except for the matters set forth on Schedule 3.5,
             ------------
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Other
Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby will not (a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any
term or provision of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or
passage of time, or both), or otherwise give any Person a basis for accelerated
or additional rights, termination or nonperformance under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, material lease, license or
other material agreement or instrument to which any Seller or Shareholder is a
party or by which any Seller or Shareholder is bound or affected or to which any
of the property or assets of any Seller or Shareholder is bound or affected, (b)
result in the violation of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws or

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

partnership agreement, as the case may be, of any Seller or, any order, writ,
judgment, injunction, decree or award, whether foreign or domestic or any
applicable statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, permit ("Legal
Requirement"), or (c) result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind, whether
voluntary or involuntary, (including any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give
any security interest) and, with respect to capital stock, any option or other
right to purchase or any restriction on voting or other rights (each a "Lien")
upon any property or asset of any Seller or Shareholder. Except for this
Agreement, neither Sellers nor and Shareholder have any legal obligation,
absolute or contingent, to any other Person to sell any capital stock, the
business, the Real Property or substantially all of the assets of any Seller or
to effect any merger, consolidation or other reorganization of any Seller or to
enter into any agreement with respect thereto.

        3.6  Financial Statements.  Schedule 3.6 contains true and complete
             --------------------
copies of the following financial statements (collectively, the "Financial
Statements"): (a) the unaudited combined balance sheet on an accrual basis (the
"Balance Sheets") of each Seller (which for purposes of this Section 3.6
includes Lovell Partnership and Enviro-Safe) at December 31, 1999 (the "Balance
Sheet Date"); (b) the unaudited cash basis balance sheets of Lovell Farms,
Botanical Farms, Enviro-Safe and Lovell Partnership at December 31, 1999, and
the related cash basis income statement for each such entity for the twelve-
month period ending December 31, 1999 and schedules showing the adjustment from
cash to accrual basis for the fiscal year then ended; and (c) each of Lovell
Farms' and Enviro-Safe's audited balance sheets for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998, and in each case the related audited
consolidated statements of income, equity and cash flow (including the
accompanying notes) for each fiscal year then ended. The Financial Statements
(i) except for the 1999 Financial Statements, have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied as at the dates and during the periods covered
thereby, and (ii) are true and correct in all material respects and present
fairly the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the
Sellers as of the dates and for the periods specified therein. "GAAP" shall mean
generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

        3.7  No Undisclosed Liabilities; Trade Payables.  Except (a) as set
             ------------------------------------------
forth on Schedule 3.7 hereto, (b) to the extent set forth or provided for in the
Balance Sheets or the notes thereto, or (c) for non-material current liabilities
of the same nature as those set forth in the Balance Sheets and the notes
thereto incurred since the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of the
Sellers' business, consistent with past practices ("Ordinary Course"), the
Sellers have no liabilities or obligations, whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise (including, without limitation, unasserted claims,
whether known or unknown).

        3.8  Absence of Certain Changes.  Since the Balance Sheet Date, except
             --------------------------
as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 3.8, no Seller has:

             (a)  incurred any debts or liabilities (absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise), other than current liabilities incurred in the
Ordinary Course;

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

             (b)  been subjected to or permitted a Lien upon or otherwise
encumbered any of its assets, except any Lien for taxes not yet due;

             (c)  sold, transferred, licensed or leased any of its rights,
assets or properties, except in the Ordinary Course;

             (d)  discharged or satisfied any Lien other than a Lien securing,
or paid any obligation or liability other than, current liabilities shown on the
Balance Sheets and current liabilities incurred since the Balance Sheet Date, in
each case in the Ordinary Course;

             (e)  canceled or compromised any debt owed to or by or claim of
or against it, or waived or released any right of material value, other than in
the Ordinary Course;

             (f)  suffered a material adverse effect on the business,
financial condition, properties, profitability or operations of any Seller or
the Acquired Assets ("Material Adverse Effect") resulting from any physical
damage, destruction or loss (whether or not covered by insurance);

             (g)  entered into any material transaction or otherwise committed
or obligated itself to any capital expenditure, other than in the Ordinary
Course;

             (h)  made or suffered any change in its condition (financial or
otherwise), properties, profitability or operations, none of which (individually
or in the aggregate) has had, or may reasonably be expected to have, a Material
Adverse Effect;

             (i)  made any change in the accounting methods, principles or
practices followed by it;

             (j)  made or suffered any amendment or termination of any Material
Contract, other than in the Ordinary Course;

             (k)  paid any increase in compensation of any kind to any
employee, officer, director or consultant;

             (l)  changed or suffered any change in any benefit plan or labor
agreement affecting any employee of any Seller, other than in the Ordinary
Course or to conform to Legal Requirements;

             (m)  issued any capital stock, partnership interests, or options
or rights to acquire capital stock or partnership interests, redeemed or
repurchased any outstanding shares of capital stock or partnership interests,
declared, set aside or paid any dividend or distribution on any shares of
capital stock or partnership interests, merged with any other entity or
purchased or acquired capital stock or other interest in any other entity,
purchased or otherwise acquired all or substantially all of the business or
assets of

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

any other Person, or transferred or sold a substantial portion of its business
or assets to any Person;

             (n)  failed to pay or perform any material obligation when and to
the extent due other than pursuant to a good faith defense or right of setoff;

             (o)  entered into any agreement or otherwise obligated itself to
do any of the foregoing; or

             (p)  accelerated collection of its accounts receivable, deferred
payment of its accounts payable or other sums owing to third parties or accrued
liabilities, deferred the purchase of equipment or other capital goods, delayed
normally scheduled maintenance or reduced inventory below its customary level.

        3.9  Property; Encumbrances.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9 and
             ----------------------
Liens for taxes not yet due (collectively, the "Permitted Liens"), Sellers
(which for purposes of this Section 3.9 includes Lovell Partnership and Enviro-
Safe) in the aggregate have good, valid and merchantable title to all the
Acquired Assets other than the Real Property and good, valid and insurable title
to the Real Property, free and clear of all Liens. The Real Property purchased
by Purchaser, or that vests in Purchaser due to its acquisition of the
partnership interests of Lovell Partnership, and the other Acquired Assets and
the personal property held by the Sellers pursuant to leases and licenses
comprise all of the real property and personal property used in the conduct of
the Purchased Operations. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23, the leases and
licenses included in the Acquired Assets are in full force and effect without
any material default, waiver or indulgence thereunder by any Seller or, to the
knowledge of Sellers, by any other party thereto. True and complete copies of
all leases and licenses have been provided to Purchaser.

        3.10 Condition of Personal Property.  Except as listed on Schedule
             ------------------------------
3.10, the Acquired Assets and all personal property owned by the Sellers and all
personal property held by the Sellers pursuant to personal property leases or
licenses is in good operating condition, subject only to ordinary wear and tear.

        3.11 Condition of Real Property.
             --------------------------

             (a)  The Real Property and all of the structures, buildings and
facilities on the Real Property (the "Structures") are (i) in good operating
condition, subject only to ordinary wear and tear, and (ii) supplied with
utilities and other services, including the supply of water and/or rights to
water, necessary for the operation of such Structures and the business conducted
by Sellers therein. The Structures are the only structures, buildings and
facilities used in the operation of the Purchased Operations. No condemnation
proceeding is pending, or to the Sellers' knowledge, threatened, which would
impair the occupancy, use or value of any of the Real Property.

             (b)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.11(b), no Structure, nor
the operations of Sellers therein, (i) is in violation of any Legal Requirement,
(ii) is classified as "non-conforming use" or "permitted non-conforming
structure" or

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

(iii) encroaches on any property owned by, or easement granted in favor of, any
other Person.

             (c)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(c), there are no (i)
leases, subleases or other agreements, written or oral, granting to any other
Person the right to acquire, use or occupy any portion of any Real Property, or
(ii) outstanding options or rights of first refusal to purchase all or any
portion of Real Property or interest therein. No Persons (other than the
Sellers) are in possession of any of the Real Property, except pursuant to the
terms of lease agreements referred to on Schedule 3.11(c) copies of which have
been provided to Purchaser.

             (d)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(d), (i) with respect to
Leased Real Property the owner thereof has good and insurable title thereto, and
the Seller (which for purposes of this 3.11(d) includes Lovell Partnership) a
party to the underlying lease on such Leased Real Property has a valid leasehold
interest therein, free and clear of all Liens, (ii) there is ingress and egress
(and a continuing right thereto), without the need for an easement, between
paved public rights-of-way and the Real Property and Leased Real Property, and
(iii) no Seller has sold, transferred or subjected to a Lien, except Permitted
Liens, such Real Property or any interest therein.

        3.12  Accounts Receivable.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, all
              -------------------
accounts receivable of Sellers reflected in the Balance Sheets and all accounts
receivable of Sellers that have arisen since the Balance Sheet Date (except such
accounts receivable as have been collected since such dates) are valid and
enforceable claims and were earned by performance in the Ordinary Course. Such
accounts receivable of Sellers are: (i) subject to no valid defense, offset or
counterclaim; and, (ii) are fully collectible within 120 days after the Closing
Date, except to the extent of the allowance, if any, for doubtful accounts,
which allowance is consistent in amount with past practices.

        3.13  Inventories.  All inventories of raw materials, work-in-process
              -----------
and finished goods set forth or reflected in the Balance Sheets or acquired by
Sellers since the Balance Sheet Date are of a quality and quantity usable and
saleable in the Ordinary Course, subject to loss or damages sustained in the
Ordinary Course.

        3.14  Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights. Schedule 3.14
              --------------------------------------------
contains a true and complete list of all patents, patent applications, trade
names, trademarks, service marks, trademark and service mark registrations and
applications, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications, and grants
of a license or right to any Seller with respect to any of the foregoing,
claimed by any Seller or currently used or proposed to be used by any Seller in
the conduct of its business, whether registered or not (collectively, the
"Intellectual Property Rights"). Each Seller owns or has the unrestricted right
to use the Intellectual Property Rights and every trade secret, know-how,
process, discovery, development, design, technique, customer and supplier list,
marketing and purchasing strategy, invention, process, confidential data and/or
other information (collectively, "Proprietary Information") used in the design,
development, manufacture, operation, sale and use of all products and services
sold or rendered or proposed to be sold or rendered by such Seller, free and
clear of any right, equity or claim of others.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, (a) no Seller has sold, transferred,
assigned, licensed or subjected to any Lien any Intellectual Property Right or
Proprietary Information or any interest therein, (b) no Seller is obligated or
under any liability whatsoever to make any payments by way of royalties, fees or
otherwise to any owner or licensor of, or other claimant to, any Intellectual
Property Right or Proprietary Information and (c) no Intellectual Property Right
or Proprietary Information conflicts with, infringes on or otherwise violates
any rights of others or is subject to any pending or threatened litigation or
other adverse claim of infringement by any other Person.

        3.15  Banking.  Schedule 3.15 contains a true and complete list of the
              -------
names and locations of all financial institutions at which any Seller maintains
a checking account, deposit account, securities account, safety deposit box or
other deposit or safekeeping arrangement, the numbers or other identification of
all such accounts and arrangements and the names of all Persons authorized to
draw against any funds therein.

        3.16  Insurance.  Schedule 3.16 contains a true and complete list
              ---------
(including the name of the insurer, policy number, coverage amount, deductible
amount, premium amount and expiration date) of all insurance policies and bonds
and self insurance arrangements currently in force that cover or purport to
cover risks or losses to or associated with the Acquired Assets or any Seller's
business, operations, premises, properties, assets, employees, agents and
directors (the "Policies"). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, no Seller is,
and to the knowledge of Sellers, no other party is, in material breach of or
default under any of the Policies, no Seller or Shareholder has received any
written notice of pending or threatened cancellation of any Policy, and no claim
or coverage under any Policy is currently being disputed.

        3.17  Indebtedness.  No Seller has any Indebtedness other than as set
              ------------
forth on Schedule 3.17, and true and complete copies of all instruments and
documents evidencing, creating, securing or otherwise relating to such
Indebtedness have been delivered to Purchaser. No event has occurred and no
condition has become known to any Seller, other than the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein, that constitutes or, with notice or passage of
time, or both, would constitute a material default or termination under any
instrument or document relating to or evidencing such Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" shall mean the following items, calculated in accordance with
GAAP: (i) all indebtedness for borrowed money including accrued interest expense
thereon; (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to capital leases that is
properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP;
(iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit
whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money; (iv) any obligation
owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services
if the purchase price is due more than six months from the date the obligation
is incurred or is evidenced by a note or similar written instrument; (v) all
indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by such
Person; and (vi) any fees or penalties or any other costs related to the early
payoff or termination of any of the foregoing.

        3.18  Judgments; Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18,
              ---------------------
there is no (a) outstanding judgment, order, decree, award, stipulation or
injunction of any

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

local, state, federal or foreign court, government or governmental department,
commission, instrumentality, board, agency or authority ("Governmental Entity")
against or affecting any Seller or its properties, assets or business, (b)
action, suit, arbitration, hearing, inquiry, proceeding, complaint, charge or
investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative ("Action"), by or
before any Governmental Entity or arbitrator or any appeal from any of the
foregoing pending, or to the Sellers' knowledge, threatened against or affecting
any Seller or its  properties, assets or business, or (c) fact or circumstance
arising from the operation of any Seller or any business which is reasonably
likely to lead to the instigation of any Action.

        3.19  Government Payments.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, all
              -------------------
returns, declarations, reports and statements ("Government Returns") relating to
any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll,
employment, real property, personal property, escheated funds or property,
sales, use, import, export or other tax, assessment, duty, fee or tax related
charge of any kind whatsoever ("Government Payments") required to be filed by
any Seller in connection with the operations of any Seller or the Acquired
Assets are true, complete and correct in all material respects, are in
compliance with all Legal Requirements applicable thereto and have been properly
and timely filed. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, no Seller has requested
any extension of time within which to file any Government Return, which
Government Return has not since been filed. Purchaser has heretofore been
furnished by Sellers with true, correct and complete copies of each Government
Return of Sellers with respect to the past three (3) taxable years, and of all
reports of, and communications from, any Governmental Entities relating to
Government Payments for such period. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, all
Government Payments required to be paid or withheld and deposited in connection
with the operations of Sellers or the Acquired Assets have been duly and timely
paid or deposited by Sellers. Sellers have properly withheld or collected all
amounts required by law for Government Payments relating to their employees,
creditors, independent contractors and other third parties, and for Government
Payments on sales, and has properly and timely remitted such withheld or
collected amounts to the appropriate Governmental Entity. Sellers have made
adequate provision on their books of account for all Government Payments with
respect to their business, properties and operations. Sellers' accruals for
Government Payments will be adequate to cover all liabilities for Government
Payments of Sellers for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date and
such accruals would be adequate if Sellers were to file a Government Return on
the Closing Date covering all liabilities accrued through the Closing Date.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, during the past four (4) taxable years, no
Seller has (a) had a tax deficiency proposed, asserted or assessed against it,
(b) executed any waiver of any statute of limitations on the assessment or
collection of any Government Payments, or (c) been delinquent in the payment of
any Government Payments. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, during the past
four (4) taxable years, no Government Return of any Seller has been audited or
the subject of other Action by any Governmental Entity. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.19, no Seller has received any notice from any Governmental Entity of
any pending examination or any proposed deficiency, addition, assessment, demand
for payment or adjustment relating to or affecting any Seller or its assets or
properties. No Seller has made any payments or is obligated to make any payments
that will not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code. No Seller is a

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

party to a tax allocation or sharing agreement or has ever been (or has any
liability for unpaid Government Payments because it was) a member of an
affiliated group with the meaning of Code Section 1504(a). Enviro-Safe has made
an election under Section 1362(a) of the Code, to be an "S corporation", as
defined therein; such election became effective since the date of its
incorporation, and all Persons who were shareholders of Enviro-Safe on the day
on which such election was made validly consented to such election. Such
election was effective on the date made and has remained in effect continuously
from such date, and such election has not been terminated, whether by
revocation, disqualification or for any other reason. No actions have been taken
and no omissions have occurred which would cause such election to terminate or
be revoked at any time before the Closing Date. Enviro-Safe has made a
corresponding election to be taxed as an "S corporation in Florida.

        3.20  No Unlawful Contributions.  No Seller nor any partner, director,
              -------------------------
officer, agent, employee or other Person associated with or acting on behalf of
any Seller has made or used any corporate or partnership funds to make any
unlawful contributions, gifts or payments for entertainment or other unlawful
expenses relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful
payments to officials or employees of any Governmental Entity from corporate
funds; failed to file any reports required with respect to lawful contributions;
established or maintained any unlawful or unrecorded fund of corporate monies or
other assets; made any intentionally false or fictitious entries on the books or
records of any Seller; or made or received any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence
payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

        3.21  Employee Benefit Matters.
              ------------------------

              (a)  Schedule 3.21 sets forth a list of all "employee benefit
plans" (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) and all other profit-sharing, deferred
compensation, bonus, stock option, stock purchase, vacation pay, holiday pay,
pension, retirement plans, medical and other compensation or benefit
arrangements maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by or
on behalf of any Seller for the benefit of its employees (or former employees),
their beneficiaries and/or those persons providing services to such Seller,
including, without limitation, a complete listing of all plans with respect to
which such Seller has made or has been required to make, directly or indirectly,
contributions, transfers or payments within six (6) years prior to the Closing
(collectively, "Benefit Plans").

              (b)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21, each Seller has
delivered to Purchaser true and complete copies of (i) each Benefit Plan and any
related funding agreements (e.g., insurance contracts or trusts), including all
amendments; (ii) the current draft of the Summary Plan Description pertaining to
each Benefit Plan for which a Summary Plan Description is required by ERISA or
by the terms of such Benefit Plan; (iii) the three (3) most recent annual
reports for each Benefit Plan (including all relevant schedules) for which such
annual reports are required; and (iv) the Internal Revenue Service determination
letter (if applicable) for each Benefit Plan and each amendment thereto.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

             (c)  Each Benefit Plan has been established and while under the
respective Seller's control maintained and administered in all material respects
in accordance with its terms, any related agreements and all applicable laws
and, if intended to qualify under (S) 401(a) of the Code, is so qualified, and
with respect to each Benefit Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA: (i) no
Seller has ever contributed or been obligated to contribute to any "multi-
employer plan" (as defined in (S) 3(37) of ERISA) on account of any withdrawal
from such Benefit Plan; and (ii) no such Benefit Plan subject to a funding
requirement has been terminated at a time when such Benefit Plan was not
sufficiently funded.

             (d)  All contributions and other payments to be made to each
Benefit Plan under the terms of that Benefit Plan, ERISA, the Code or any other
applicable law have been timely made and all contributions made have been fully
deductible under the Code. The books and records of Sellers properly reflect all
amounts required to be accrued as liabilities to date under each Benefit Plan.

             (e)  In the case of each Benefit Plan for periods during which
such Benefit Plan was administered by the respective Seller, there is no
accumulated funding deficiency (within the meaning of (S) 4971 of the Code),
whether or not such deficiency has been waived, or any other unfunded liability.

             (f)  Each Benefit Plan currently complies in all material
respects, in form and operation, with all applicable laws, including, without
limitation, ERISA, the Code, the continuation coverage rules of the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA"), Code (S) 4980B and part 6
of Title I of ERISA.

             (g)  No "prohibited transactions" (as defined in (S) 4975(c)(1)
of the Code) or breaches of fiduciary duty involving Sellers, or a director,
partner or officer of any Seller, have occurred with respect to any of the
Benefit Plans.

             (h)  All trusts maintained in connection with a Benefit Plan,
including trusts that are intended to comply with the provisions of Code (S)
501(c)(9) or (S) 501(c)(17), are exempt from federal income taxation under Code
(S) 501(a) and there has been no written or other claims of noncompliance or
failure to properly maintain, operate or administer any Benefit Plan (or a
related trust) which has rendered or is reasonably likely to render such Benefit
Plan or trust, or any Seller, subject to or liable for any taxes, penalties or
liabilities to any Person.

             (i)  There is no contract, agreement or benefit arrangement
covering any employee of any Seller which, individually or collectively, could
give rise to the payment of any amount which would constitute an "excess
parachute payment" (within the meaning of (S) 280G of the Code).

             (j)  No Seller maintains any Benefit Plan that provides severance
pay or medical benefits to one or more former employees (including retirees) or
other Persons who provided services to such Seller, or provides for post-
retirement

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

benefits to present or former employees or such other Persons, other than
benefits that are required to be provided pursuant to COBRA or state law
conversion rights.

             (k)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21, there are no
proceedings, lawsuits or, to the Sellers' knowledge, investigations, either
currently in progress or, on the basis of facts or circumstances recognized by
any Seller, expected to be instituted in the future against (i) any Benefit
Plan, or (ii) any fiduciary of such plan (within the meaning of (S) 3(21)(A) of
ERISA) brought on behalf of any participant, beneficiary or fiduciary
thereunder, or by any Governmental Entity.

        3.22 Permits, Licenses, Etc.
             ----------------------

             (a)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(a)(i), each Seller
possesses, and is in compliance with, all franchises, licenses, permits,
certificates, authorizations, rights and other approvals of Governmental
Entities (collectively, the "Permits") necessary to (i) occupy, maintain,
operate and use the Real Property as it is currently used (ii) conduct its
business as currently conducted, and (iii) maintain and operate the Benefit
Plans. Schedule 3.22(a)(ii) contains a true and complete list of all Permits.
Each Permit has been lawfully and validly issued and is in full force and
effect, and no proceeding is pending or, to the Sellers' knowledge, threatened,
with respect to the revocation, suspension or limitation of any Permit. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Other Agreements
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will
not result in the revocation, suspension, limitation or adverse modification of
any Permit and, except as set forth in Schedule 3.22(a)(iii), no Permit will
require the consent of its issuing authority to, or as a result of the
consummation of, the transactions contemplated hereby.

             (b)  Schedule 3.22(b)(i) identifies all Permits which materially
restrict the present output of any Seller, which limit the term of possession or
operation of any material assets of any Seller, or which pertain to
environmental discharge. No Seller has been notified or presently has reason to
believe any of the Permits will not in the Ordinary Course be renewed upon their
expiration. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(b)(ii), no Seller is in
material breach of, or has received in writing or otherwise any claim or
assertion that such Seller has breached any of the terms or conditions of any
Permit.

        3.23  Consents.  Schedule 3.23 sets forth all consents, authorizations,
              --------
and approvals of, all filings and registrations with, and all notices to, any
Person that are necessary as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby so as not to (a) cause the Purchased Operations to be
interrupted or (b) result in any penalty or fee to be levied against Purchaser
or the Purchased Operations. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23, all such
consents and filings have been obtained or made or will be obtained or made
prior to the Closing.

        3.24  Material Contracts; No Defaults.  Schedule 3.24 contains a true
              -------------------------------
and complete list and description of all material Contracts, written or oral
(the "Material Contracts"). As used herein, "material" shall mean any contract
which (i) obligates any

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

Seller to make annual payment(s) in excess of $25,000, (ii) has a term in
excess of one year or cannot be terminated by any Seller on less than thirty
(30) days' notice without cost or penalty, or (iii) accounts for more than five
percent (5%) of any Seller's accounts payable or accounts receivable. No
contract included as an Excluded Asset or an Excluded Liability on Schedule
1.1(b) or Schedule 1.1(c), respectively, shall be deemed a Material Contract.
True and complete copies of such written Material Contracts and complete
summaries of such oral Material Contracts have been provided to Purchaser.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.24, each Material Contract is, and immediately
after the Closing will be (on identical terms), legal, valid, binding,
enforceable and in full force and effect in the form delivered to Purchaser.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.24, no Seller, nor, to the knowledge of
Sellers, any other party, is in material breach or default under any Material
Contract, and no Seller has received in writing any claim or assertion that such
Seller is in material breach or default under any Material Contract. Except as
set forth on Schedule 3.24, no event has occurred or, based on facts presently
known to exist, is anticipated which with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute a material breach or default, or permit termination, acceleration or
modification under any Material Contract.

        3.25 Employee Matters.
             ----------------

             (a)  Schedule 3.25(a) contains a true and complete list of all
contracts, agreements, plans, arrangements, commitments and understandings
(formal and informal) pertaining to terms of employment, compensation, bonuses,
profit sharing, stock purchases, stock repurchases, stock options, commissions,
incentives, loans or loan guarantees, severance pay or benefits, use of any
Seller's property and related matters of any Seller with any current or former
partner, officer, director, employee or consultant or Persons who provide or
provided services of any Seller (other than such items which represent minor
variances from general practices of any Seller), and true and complete copies of
all such contracts, agreements, plans, arrangements and understandings have been
made available to Purchaser.

             (b)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.25(b), each Seller is in
compliance in all material respects with all Legal Requirements respecting
employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages
and hours and occupational safety, and no Seller has received notice of, or is
engaged in, any unfair labor practice. No unfair labor practice complaint
against any Seller is pending before the National Labor Relations Board.

             (c)  Except to the extent provided in Schedule 3.25(c), there are
no material claims, grievances or arbitration proceedings, workers' compensation
proceedings, labor disputes (including charges of violations of any Legal
Requirements relating to current or former employees (including retirees),
current or former applicants for employment or persons who provide services to
any Seller), governmental investigations or administrative proceedings of any
kind pending or, to any Sellers' knowledge, threatened against or relating to
any Seller, or their employees or employment practices, or operations as they
pertain to conditions of employment, nor is any Seller subject to any order,
judgment, decree, award or administrative ruling arising

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

from any such matter. No facts or circumstances exist that could provide a
reasonable basis for a claim of wrongful termination by any current or former
employee of any Seller or Persons who provide services to any Seller against any
Seller.

             (d)  No labor, collective bargaining, union or similar agreement
is currently in existence or is being negotiated by any Seller, and no union or
labor organization has been certified or recognized as the representative of any
employees of any Seller or Persons who provide services to any Seller or is
seeking such certification or recognition or is attempting to organize any of
the employees of any Seller or persons who provide services to any Seller. There
is not occurring or, to Sellers' knowledge, threatened, any strike, slow down,
picket, work stoppage or other concerted action by any union or other group of
employees or other Persons against any Seller, or its premises or products.

        3.26 Affiliations.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.26, and except
             ------------
for the ownership of less than five percent (5%) of the securities of a public
company, no Seller, Shareholder, nor any officer, partner, director or key
employee of, or other person providing services to, any Seller or any Affiliate
(as defined herein) of any Seller or any of such Persons has, directly or
indirectly, (a) an interest in any Person, other than a Seller, that (i)
furnishes or sells, or proposes to furnish or sell, services or products that
are furnished or sold by any Seller, or (ii) purchases from or sells or
furnishes to, proposes to purchase from or sell or furnish to, any Seller any
goods or services, or (b) a beneficial interest in any contract or agreement to
which any Seller is a party or by which any Seller or any of the assets of any
Seller are bound or affected, or (c) any claim against any Seller or any of its
assets which could materially and adversely affect such Seller's assets, such
Seller's title to or its right to use its assets, or such Seller's right to
conduct its business following the Closing. Except as disclosed on Schedule
3.26, none of the assets of any Seller include any receivables from any officer,
director, partner, shareholder or employee of, or other person providing
services to any Seller. "Affiliate" shall mean any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such
specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" means the power to
direct the management and policies of another Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. A
"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization or association
or other form of business enterprise or a Governmental Entity.

        3.27 Principal Customers and Suppliers.
             ---------------------------------

             (a)  Schedule 3.27(a) contains a true and complete list of the
name and address of each customer that is a party to a Contract or which is
among the ten largest customers of any Seller as measured by such Seller's sales
of goods or services during the twelve months ended on December 31, 1999. In the
last six months, no such customer (i) has canceled, suspended or otherwise
terminated its relationship with such Seller, (ii) has advised such Seller of
its intention to cancel, suspend or otherwise terminate its relationship with
such Seller, to materially decrease its purchases from such Seller or to
materially and adversely change the terms upon which it purchases products

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

from such Seller, or (iii) could reasonably be expected to cancel, suspend or
terminate its relationship with such Seller, to materially decrease its
purchases from such Seller or to materially and adversely change the terms upon
which it purchases products from such Seller as a result of the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise.

             (b)  Schedule 3.27(b) contains a true and complete list of each
supplier that is a party to a Contract or from whom any Seller purchased a
material portion of such Seller's purchases of goods or services during the
twelve months ended on December 31, 1999. In the last six months, no such
supplier (i) has canceled, suspended or otherwise terminated its relationship
with such Seller, (ii) has advised such Seller of its intention to cancel,
suspend or otherwise terminate its relationship with such Seller, to materially
increase its pricing for such Seller, to materially curtail its accommodations,
sales or services to such Seller or to materially and adversely change the terms
upon which it sells products to such Seller, or (iii) could reasonably be
expected to cancel, suspend or terminate its relationship with such Seller, to
materially increase its pricing for such Seller, to materially curtail its
accommodations, sales or services to such Seller or to materially and adversely
change the terms upon which it sells products to such Seller as a result of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise.
There are no current restrictions or, to the Sellers' knowledge, threatened or
reasonably anticipated restrictions, on the supply of goods and services to any
Seller that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect.

        3.28 Compliance with Laws.  Except as described on Schedule 3.28, each
             --------------------
Seller is in compliance in all material respects with all Legal Requirements.

        3.29 Product Liability and Product Warranty. There are no and have
             --------------------------------------
never been any warranties granted or made with respect to products sold, or
services rendered, by any Seller.

        3.30 Hazardous Materials.  For purposes of this Section 3.30, the term
             -------------------
"Real Property" shall include any real property currently or previously owned or
leased by any Seller or in which any Seller had any rights. Except as set forth
on Schedule 3.30:

             (a)  No flammable, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, radioactive or
explosive substance or material, petroleum or its byproducts or breakdown
products, hazardous waste, toxic substance or related material or any other
substance or material defined or designated as a hazardous or toxic substance,
material or waste by any Legal Requirement ("Hazardous Material") (i) has been
released, placed, stored, generated, used, manufactured, treated, deposited,
spilled, discharged, released or disposed of on or under any Real Property
currently or previously owned or leased by any Seller or is presently located on
or under any of the Real Property (or to Sellers' knowledge without inquiry, any
property adjoining any Real Property) in violation of any Legal Requirement,
(ii) has been released, placed, stored, generated, used, manufactured, treated,
deposited, spilled, discharged, released or disposed of by or on behalf of any
Seller at any other site, (iii) is presently maintained, used, generated, or
permitted to remain in place by any Seller in violation of any Legal
Requirement, (iv) is required by

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

any Legal Requirement to be eliminated, removed, treated or mitigated by any
Seller, or (v) is of a type, location, material, nature or condition which
requires notification to any third party by any Seller under any Legal
Requirement or common law;

             (b)  No notice, citation, summons or order has been received by
any Seller, no notice has been given by any Seller and no complaint has been
filed, no penalty has been assessed and no investigation or review is pending
or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened by any Governmental Entity, with
respect to (i) any alleged violation by any Seller of any Legal Requirement
related to Hazardous Materials, or (ii) any alleged failure by any Seller to
have any environmental permit, certificate, license, approval, registration or
authorization required in connection with its business or properties, or (iii)
any use, possession, generation, treatment, storage, recycling, transportation,
release or disposal by or on behalf of any Seller of any Hazardous Material; and

             (c)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.30(c), no Seller has
received any request for information, notice of claim, demand or notification
that it is or that indicates that it may be a "potentially responsible party"
with respect to any investigation or remediation of any threatened or actual
release of any Hazardous Material. No underground storage tanks, whether or not
in use, are or have ever been located at any of the Real Property. A list of all
above ground storage tanks is set forth on Schedule 3.30(c) hereto and all such
tanks are in compliance with applicable Legal Requirements. Except as set forth
on Schedule 3.30(c), no Seller has received any notice with respect to the
listing or proposed listing of any property currently or previously owned,
operated or leased by any Seller on any federal or state list of sites requiring
investigation or cleanup. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.30(c), there have
been no environmental inspections, investigations, studies, tests, reviews or
other analysis conducted on behalf of any Seller in relation to any of the Real
Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.30(c), no Seller has released,
transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material from
any property currently or previously owned, operated or leased by any Seller in
violation of any Legal Requirement. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.30(c),
each Seller has complied with all Legal Requirements relating to the use,
possession, generation, treatment, storage, recycling, transportation, release
and disposal of Hazardous Materials.

        3.31 Utilities.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.31, all water,
             ---------
sewer, gas, electric, telephone and drainage facilities and all other utilities
required by law or for the normal use and operation of the Real Property are
installed to the property lines of such Real Property and are connected pursuant
to valid permits.

        3.32 Condition of Structures and Tangible Personal Property.  Except as
             ------------------------------------------------------
set forth on Schedule 3.32, the Structures and material tangible Personal
Property (i) are in a good operating condition and repair (subject to ordinary
wear and tear), and (ii) have been properly operated, serviced, and maintained,
and (iii) are suitable for the uses for which they are presently being used in
the operation of Sellers' business.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

        3.33 Year 2000 Compliance.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.33, each
             --------------------
Seller's computer software, firmware and hardware (whether general or specific
purpose) and other similar or related items of automated, computerized and/or
software systems that are used or relied on by each Seller in the conduct of its
business (collectively, the "Information Technology") is designed to be used
during and after the calendar year 2000 A.D., and the Information Technology
used during each such time period always have and will accurately receive,
provide and process (including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing and
sequencing) date and time data from, into and between the twentieth and twenty-
first centuries (including, but not limited to, the years 1999 and 2000) and
leap year calculations and never have and will not malfunction, cease to
function or provide invalid or incorrect results as a result of date and time
data, to the extent that other information technology, used in combination with
the Information Technology, properly exchanges date and time data with it.

        3.34 Brokers' Fees.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.34, no broker,
             -------------
finder or similar agent has been employed by or on behalf of any Seller or
Shareholder in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby, and no Seller or Shareholder has entered into any agreement, arrangement
or understanding of any kind with any Person for the payment of any brokerage
commission, finder's fee or any similar compensation in connection with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

        3.35 Disclosure.  No representation or warranty of any Seller or
             ----------
Shareholder in this Agreement or any of the Other Agreements, and no information
contained in any Schedule or other writing delivered pursuant to this Agreement
or at the Closing, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact required to make the
statements herein or therein not misleading. Except as provided herein, Sellers
have delivered to Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of all documents,
and any and all amendments to any such documents, referred to in this Agreement
or in any Schedule delivered to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.

        3.36 No Third Party Approval Required.  Except as set forth on Schedule
             --------------------------------
3.36, no approval, authorization, consent, order or other action of or filing
with any Person or Governmental Entity is required in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by Sellers or
Shareholders of the transactions described in this Agreement, except to the
extent that the parties may be required to file reports in accordance with the
applicable federal or state securities laws or to the extent such consents have
been obtained.

     Section 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER AND PARENT.
                ------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser or Parent, as applicable, hereby represents and warrants to Sellers,
and covenants and agrees, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as
follows:

        4.1  Organization and Good Standing.  Purchaser has been duly organized
             ------------------------------
and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

State of its incorporation with full power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. All of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of Purchaser is owned by Parent. The only
significant asset owned by Parent is the stock of Purchaser.

        4.2  Execution and Delivery.  This Agreement and the Other Agreements
             ----------------------
to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the
part of Purchaser, have been duly executed and delivered by Purchaser and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding agreement of Purchaser enforceable
against Purchaser in accordance with their terms, except to the extent such
enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to or
limiting creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of equity
(whether considered in an action in equity or at law).

        4.3  No Conflicts.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
             ------------
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
(a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any term or provision
of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or passage of time, or
both), or otherwise give any Person a basis for accelerated or increased rights,
termination or nonperformance under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
loan or credit agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to
which Purchaser is a party or by which Purchaser is bound or affected or to
which any of the property or assets of Purchaser is bound or affected, (b)
result in the violation of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Purchaser or any Legal Requirement, or (c) result in the creation or
imposition of any Lien upon any property or asset of Purchaser.

        4.4  Brokers' Fees.  No broker, finder or similar agent has been
             -------------
employed by or on behalf of Purchaser in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, and Purchaser has not entered into any
agreement, arrangement or understanding of any kind with any Person for the
payment of any brokerage commission, finder's fee or any similar compensation in
connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

        4.5  Approval.  Purchaser's Board of Directors has approved the
             --------
execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

        4.6  No Third Party Approval Required.  Except as set forth in Schedule
             --------------------------------
4.6, no approval, authorization, consent, order or other action of or filing
with any Person or Governmental Entity is required in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by Purchaser of the
transactions described in this Agreement, except to the extent that the parties
may be required to file reports in accordance with the applicable federal or
state securities laws or to the extent such consents have been obtained.

     Section 5. [RESERVED].

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

     Section 6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING; POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS.
                ---------------------------------------------------------
Subject to the fulfillment of the conditions precedent specified in Sections 6.1
and 6.2 hereof, the purchase and sale of the Acquired Assets, the assumption of
the Assumed Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated herein shall be
consummated at a closing (the "Closing") to be held at 10:00 a.m. local time on
March 3, 2000, or at such other date or at such other time as Purchaser and
Sellers shall mutually agree (such date and time being referred to as the
"Closing Date").  The Closing shall be held at the offices of Paul, Hastings,
Janofsky & Walker, LLP at 695 Town Center Drive, Seventeenth Floor, Costa Mesa,
California or at such other place as the parties shall agree.

        6.1  Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser.  For the purpose of this
             --------------------------------------
Section 6.1, any defined terms set forth in Section 1.1(a) shall also be deemed
to refer to such property, rights, contracts, claims and other items held by
Lovell Partnership and Enviro-Safe. The obligation of Purchaser to consummate
the purchase of the Acquired Assets and other interests pursuant to this
Agreement is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of the
following conditions, any of which may be waived by Purchaser:

             (a)  Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
                  ----------------------------------------------------------
The representations and warranties of Sellers and Shareholders made to Purchaser
set forth in Section 3 hereof and in all agreements, documents and instruments
executed and delivered pursuant hereto or in connection with the Closing shall
be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date. Sellers and
Shareholders shall have performed in all material respects the agreements and
obligations necessary to be performed by each under this Agreement prior to the
Closing Date.

             (b)  Certificates and Deliveries by Sellers.  Purchaser shall have
                  --------------------------------------
received (i) a certificate dated the Closing Date, executed by each Seller and
Shareholder, providing as attachments (A) copies of resolutions approved by the
shareholders and the boards of directors of each Seller, or consents of its
partners, as the case may be, certifying that the resolutions or consents
attached to said certificate were duly adopted by the shareholders and the
boards of directors or partners, as the case may be, of each Seller, and that
such resolutions or consents remain in full force and effect, authorizing and
approving the execution by each Seller of this Agreement and other documents
related to this transaction and approving the consummation by each Seller of the
transactions contemplated by such agreements and documents and (B) with respect
to Enviro-Safe, certified Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, (ii) a
certificate duly executed by each Seller and Shareholder certifying that each of
the representations and warranties relating to such entity or individual set
forth in Section 3 hereof and in all agreements, documents and instruments
executed pursuant hereto or in connection with the Closing shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, and that all
obligations to have been performed or complied with by each such Seller and
Shareholder prior to the Closing Date have been complied with, and (iii) a
certificate dated the Closing Date, executed by each Seller and Enviro-Safe,
providing as attachments Certificates of Good Standing for each Seller (or the
equivalent in the case of

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

Lovell Partnership) certified by the appropriate state official in each state in
which each Seller is qualified, dated no earlier than ten (10) days prior to the
Closing Date.

             (c)  No Injunction.  No preliminary or permanent injunction or
                  -------------
order that would prohibit or restrain the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder shall be in effect, and no Governmental Entity or other
Person shall have commenced or threatened to commence an action or proceeding
seeking to enjoin the consummation of such transactions or to impose liability
on the parties hereto in connection therewith.

             (d)  Authorizations.  Each Seller, Lovell Partnership and
                  --------------
Enviro-Safe shall have obtained all Authorizations necessary or required in
connection with the operation of its business.

             (e)  Consents and Approvals.  Each Seller, Lovell Partnership and
                  ----------------------
Enviro-Safe shall have received all consents and approvals required to be
obtained in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereunder, including, without limitation, all consents applicable to the Leased
Real Property, Authorizations, Permits, Furniture & Equipment and Contracts.

             (f)  Bill of Sale.  Each Seller shall have executed and delivered
                  ------------
to Purchaser a Bill of Sale in form and substance satisfactory to Purchaser.

             (g)  Opinion of Counsel to Sellers and Shareholders.  Purchaser
                  ----------------------------------------------
shall have received the opinion of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A., counsel
to Sellers and Shareholders, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance
satisfactory to Purchaser.

             (h)  Assignment of Partnership Interests. JLovell and WLovell
                  -----------------------------------
shall have executed and delivered to Purchaser an Assignment of Partnership
Interest with respect to the transfer of the partnership interests in Lovell
Partnership, in form and substance satisfactory to Purchaser.

             (i)  Stock Certificates.   Each of JLovell and WLovell shall have
                  ------------------
executed and delivered certificates representing all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Enviro-Safe, properly endorsed for
transfer to Purchaser or accompanied by stock assignments separate from
certificates transferring ownership of their respective shares of Enviro-Safe
stock to Purchaser.

             (j)  Termination of Liens.  Each Seller, Lovell Partnership and
                  --------------------
Enviro-Safe shall have paid off all indebtedness for borrowed money, including
indebtedness for liens covering the Acquired Assets, and received all necessary
UCC terminations and terminations of mortgages and deeds of trust related to the
Acquired Assets, or Purchaser shall have received a title insurance commitment
marked-up at Closing to insure over all such mortgages or deeds of trust.

             (k)  No Material Adverse Change.  Purchaser shall be satisfied in
                  --------------------------
its reasonable discretion that there has been no material adverse change in the
business,

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

operations or financial condition, value or prospects of each Seller since
December 31, 1999, including, without limitation, any change in the relationship
between Sellers and Home Depot; provided, however, that to the extent the
representations and warranties in this Agreement made by Sellers and
Shareholders are incorrect, but subject to cure, such change shall not be deemed
to be a material adverse change so long as such change is cured within the
earlier of (a) ten (10) days after notice thereof to Sellers or (b) March 31,
2000.

             (l)  Transfer of Excluded Real Property.  Lovell Partnership, at
                  ----------------------------------
the expense of the Shareholders, shall have transferred ownership of the real
property described in Schedule 6.1(l) to WLovell, JLovell or their designee
prior to Closing.

             (m)  Real Property.  Lovell Partnership and Purchaser shall
                  -------------
execute and deliver any and all documents and perform any and all acts
reasonably necessary or appropriate as may be required by the parties hereto in
order to consummate the sale or vesting of the Real Property to or in Purchaser.

             (n)  Title Report.  Purchaser shall have received ALTA Extended
                  ------------
Coverage Owner's Policies of Title Insurance with those endorsements reasonably
required by Purchaser, including, but not limited to, endorsements for access,
zoning, survey and contiguity to the extent permitted by the law of the
jurisdictions in which the Real Property is located, insuring Purchaser in an
aggregate amount satisfactory to Purchaser and showing title to the Real
Property to be vested in Purchaser, subject to the Permitted Liens and other
exceptions approved by Purchaser (the "Title Policies") and legible copies of
all documents of record listed in the Title Policies (the "Underlying
Documents").

             (o)  Surveys.  Sellers have delivered to Purchaser, prepared at
                  -------
Purchaser's expense, a survey of each parcel of the Real Property which is
adequate for the issuance of the Title Policies (the "Surveys").

             (p)  Environmental Audit.  Purchaser shall have received the
                  -------------------
results of a Phase I environmental audit on the Real Property and any Phase II
audits reasonably determined by Purchaser to be necessary due to the results of
such Phase I audit (collectively, the "Environmental Audits"), which results
shall be satisfactory to Purchaser.

             (q)  Financing.  The lenders of Purchaser shall not have refused
                  ---------
to make loans sufficient to pay the Purchase Price and to provide reasonable
working capital for the Purchased Operations, or impose upon Purchaser terms and
conditions not reasonably acceptable to Purchaser in connection with such loans.

             (r)  Assignment and Assumption Agreement.  Sellers shall have
                  -----------------------------------
executed an assignment and assumption agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to Purchaser.

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

             (s)  Assignment of Permits.  Sellers shall have assigned all
                  ---------------------
permits necessary for the operation of the Purchased Operations to Purchaser,
including, without limitation, all water permits, in form and substance
satisfactory to Purchaser.

             (t)  Shareholder Loans.  All loans from Shareholders to
                  -----------------
Enviro-Safe shall be forgiven or repaid prior to Closing.  JLovell and WLovell
shall be entitled to remove from Enviro-Safe prior to the Closing all then
existing cash (ie. after satisfaction of loans from the Shareholders and
               --
reserving sufficient cash to cover outstanding checks).

        6.2  Conditions to Obligations of Sellers and Shareholders.  The
             -----------------------------------------------------
obligations of Sellers and Shareholders to consummate the sale of the Acquired
Assets, the partnership interests of Lovell Properties, and the capital stock of
Enviro-Safe pursuant to this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, at or
before the Closing, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived by
Sellers or Shareholders:

             (a)  Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
                  ----------------------------------------------------------
The representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in Section 4 hereof
and in all agreements, documents and instruments executed and delivered pursuant
hereto or in connection with the Closing shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though
made on and as of the Closing Date. Purchaser shall have performed in all
material respects the agreements and obligations necessary to be performed by
Purchaser under this Agreement prior to the Closing Date.

             (b)  Certificates and Deliveries by Purchaser.  Sellers and
                  ----------------------------------------
Shareholders shall have received (i) a certificate dated the Closing Date,
executed by Purchaser, and providing as an attachment a copy of the resolutions
approved by the board of directors of Purchaser, certifying that the resolutions
as attached to said certificate were duly adopted by the board of directors of
Purchaser and that such resolutions remain in full force and effect, authorizing
and approving the execution by Purchaser of this Agreement and other documents
related to this transaction and approving the consummation by Purchaser of the
transactions contemplated by such agreements and documents, (ii) a certificate
duly executed by Purchaser certifying that each of the representations and
warranties relating to such entity or individual set forth in Section 4 hereof
and in all agreements, documents and instruments executed pursuant hereto or in
connection with the Closing shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the Closing Date, and that all obligations to have been performed or
complied with as a condition to Sellers' and Shareholders' closing obligations
have been complied with and (iii) Purchaser's Resale and Exemption Certificate
with respect to Florida sales tax executed by Purchaser.

             (c)  No Injunction.  No preliminary or permanent injunction or
                  -------------
order that would prohibit or restrain the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder shall be in effect, and no Governmental Entity or other
Person shall have commenced or threatened to commence an action or proceeding
seeking to enjoin the

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

consummation of such transactions or to impose liability on the parties hereto
in connection therewith.

             (d)  Consents and Approvals.  Purchaser shall have received all
                  ----------------------
consents and approvals required to be obtained in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

             (e)  Assignment and Assumption Agreement.  Purchaser shall have
                  -----------------------------------
executed and delivered to each Seller an assignment and assumption agreement, in
form and substance satisfactory to Sellers.

             (f)  Payment of Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price as provided
                  -------------------------
under Section 2.1 shall be paid to the Sellers.

             (g)  Tax Indemnification Agreement. If documentary excise taxes
                  -----------------------------
are not paid by Purchaser to the Florida Department of Revenue with respect to
the transfer to Purchaser of the general partnership interests in Lovell
Properties, Purchaser shall have executed and delivered to WLovell, JLovell and
the law firm of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A. ("Akerman, Senterfitt") a Tax
Indemnification Agreement substantially in the form attached as Schedule 6.2(g),
for the benefit of WLovell and JLovell, Akerman, Senterfitt, and, as third-party
beneficiaries, the Sellers and Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation.

             (h)  Closing Costs.  Upon the Closing, Purchaser shall pay (i) the
                  -------------
documentary stamp taxes, surtax and transfer taxes, sales and use taxes due on
the assignment, transfer or conveyance of the Acquired Assets (including, but
not limited to, the assignment of the partnership interests of Lovell
Partnership to, and the vesting of the title to the Acquired Real Property in,
Purchaser), (ii) the cost of the title commitment and the premiums on the Title
Policies and any endorsements required by Purchaser, (iii) the cost of the
Environmental Audits, (iv) the cost of the Surveys and (v) the cost of filing
UCC termination statements on the Acquired Assets, other than those filed in
connection with the termination of Liens against the Real Property
(collectively, the "Closing Costs").

             (i)  Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser.  Sellers and Shareholders
                  -------------------------------
shall have received the opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP,
counsel to Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance
satisfactory to Sellers and Shareholders.

        6.3  Post-Closing Obligations.
             ------------------------

             (a)  Name Change.  Within ten (10) days after the Closing Date,
                  -----------
each Seller shall file with the Secretary of State of its state of incorporation
or formation and each state in which it is qualified to do business, necessary
documents to change the name of such Seller to a name which does not contain the
words: "Lovell" or "Botanical." Sellers represent and warrant to Purchaser that
during the period following the Closing Date until Sellers have changed their
names to names which do not contain such words or any combination of the same,
Sellers will operate only as holding companies and will not

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

manufacture, market, sell or distribute products or allow any other person or
entity to license or otherwise use any of Sellers' rights to such names. To the
extent Purchaser is not legally prohibited from doing so, after the Closing Date
and until at least the expiration of the period for which the Earn-Out will be
calculated pursuant to Section 2.2, Purchaser shall continue to use the product
names used in connection with the Purchased Operations.

             (b)  Release of Guarantees.  Purchaser shall use reasonable
                  ---------------------
efforts to obtain releases of Shareholders from the guarantees listed on
Schedule 6.3(b) hereto.

             (c)  Section 338(h)(10) Election.  JLovell, WLovell and Purchaser
                  ---------------------------
shall join in making an election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code (and any
corresponding elections under state, local or foreign tax law) with respect to
the acquisition of shares of capital stock of Enviro-Safe by Purchaser pursuant
to this Agreement (the "Election"). In connection with the Election, JLovell and
WLovell shall each be responsible for the payment of any individual income tax
liability arising from the Election, and JLovell and WLovell shall be
responsible for the payment of all other federal, state and local taxes arising
from the Election (including taxes required to be paid on behalf of JLovell and
WLovell including, without limitation, Florida corporation, withholding taxes
and any built-in gain tax arising under Section 1374 of the Code). JLovell and
WLovell shall be responsible for filing the final S corporation tax returns for
Enviro-Safe reporting the "deemed sale" of Enviro-Safe's assets, which final
return shall be prepared at the expense of JLovell and WLovell. All income of
JLovell and WLovell through the day of the Closing, inclusive of income
attributable to the Election, shall be reflected on Enviro-Safe's final IRS Form
1120S, which shall pass all income through to JLovell and WLovell for inclusion
in their respective individual state and federal income tax returns. The parties
agree to prepare and timely file IRS Form 8023, and all attachments required to
be filed therewith pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations, on the basis of
allocations made pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 6.3(c) and
to cooperate with each other in the preparation of each other's forms. The
parties shall determine by their mutual agreement in good faith (i) the amount
of the "adjusted grossed-up basis" ("AGUB") for Enviro-Safe under Purchaser's
ownership; and (ii) the amount of the "modified aggregate deemed sales price" of
the Acquired Assets of Enviro-Safe under the ownership of JLovell and WLovell.
The Parties shall prepare a schedule of values, which shall be determined by
their mutual agreement in good faith in accordance with Section 2.7 hereof, that
shall allocate the AGUB for Enviro-Safe under Purchaser's ownership among
aggregate assets purchased pursuant to this Agreement, in accordance with
Section 338(b)(5) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder (the "Allocations"). Enviro-Safe and JLovell and WLovell each shall
calculate gain or loss, if any, resulting from the Election in a manner
consistent with the Allocations and shall not take any position inconsistent
with the Allocations in any tax return or otherwise. The parties shall allocate
the AGUB for Enviro-Safe among Enviro-Safe's assets in a manner consistent with
the Allocations and shall not take any position inconsistent with the
Allocations in any tax return or otherwise.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

             (d)  Payment of Audit Fees and Expenses. Purchaser shall be
                  ----------------------------------
responsible for the Closing Costs and the amount by which the fees and expenses
of Deloitte & Touche, LLP related solely to the 1999 year-end audit of the
Sellers exceeds the amount that Deloitte & Touche, LLP charged for the 1998
audit of Sellers (which audit did not include an audit of Lovell Partnership).

             (e)  Parent Guaranty.  Subject to the following sentence, Parent
                  ---------------
shall execute a guaranty to guarantee the obligations of Purchaser under this
Agreement, such guaranty to be in form and substance satisfactory to Parent,
Sellers and Shareholders. Parent shall use reasonable efforts to obtain all
necessary consents and authorizations to enter into such guaranty.

             (f)  Letter Agreement.  Attached hereto as Schedule 6.3(f) is a
                  ----------------
letter reflecting the understanding of the parties with respect to certain
operational matters.

             (g)  Payroll.  On or immediately after the Closing Date, Purchaser
                  -------
shall reimburse Lovell Farms for the amount of payroll obligations disbursed by
Lovell Farms to its employees on the Closing Date.

     Section 7. INDEMNIFICATION.
                ---------------

        7.1  Survival Provisions.
             -------------------

             (a)  The representations and warranties, covenants and agreements
of the parties hereto contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (and any examination,
or knowledge of, or investigation by or on behalf of any party hereto).

             (b)  Claims for indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 must be
made by delivery of written notice to the party against whom the indemnification
claim is made, setting forth in general terms the basis for the indemnification
claim, no later than two (2) years after the Closing Date (the "Claims Period");
provided, however, that claims for indemnification for Damages arising from any
breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.19
(Government Payments) may be made at any time within seven (7) years after the
Closing Date, and claims for indemnification for Damages (i) arising from any
breach of the covenants, representations and warranties contained in Sections
3.1 (Capitalization), 3.4 (Execution and Delivery), 3.9 (Property;
Encumbrances), 3.21 (Employee Benefit Matters), 3.30 (Hazardous Materials), (ii)
relating to Excluded Liabilities, or (iii) to the extent any covenant,
representation or warranty was given fraudulently may be made at any time and
shall not be subject to the Claims Period limitation. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Claims Period shall expire earlier than such periods of time in
the event that both of the following occurs (a "Definitive Purchaser Default"):
(i) an arbitrator rules pursuant to Section 11.13 hereof that Purchaser has
failed to make one or more Earn-Out payments

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

required under Section 2.2 hereof, and (ii) such failure continues for more than
ten (10) days past the expiration of any appeal rights of Purchaser with respect
to such ruling.

        7.2  Indemnification.
             ---------------

             (a)  Subject to Section 7.3, Sellers and Shareholders jointly and
severally hereby covenant and agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless
Purchaser and its Affiliates including, without limitation, each of their
respective stockholders, officers, directors, employees, agents and
representatives (collectively, the "Purchaser Indemnitees") from and against any
and all claims, actions, losses, obligations, costs, expenses, settlement
payments, awards, damages, judgments, fines, penalties and other liabilities of
any kind or nature whatsoever, including without limitation reasonable
attorneys', accountants' and experts' fees, but specifically excluding any of
the foregoing for which Purchaser's or such Affiliate's insurance company has
paid or committed to pay (collectively, "Damages") arising out of or resulting
from: (i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by
Sellers or Shareholders in this Agreement or in any writing delivered pursuant
to this Agreement or at the Closing; (ii) the failure of Sellers or Shareholders
to perform or observe any covenant, agreement or condition to be performed or
observed by such Persons pursuant to this Agreement or any agreement delivered
pursuant to this Agreement or at the Closing; (iii) any liability or other
obligation of Sellers not a part of the Assumed Liabilities; (iv) any
liabilities of Lovell Partnership; and (v) any liabilities, damages or other
obligations related to or arising from any matter or liability identified as an
Excluded Asset on Schedule 1.1(b), including but not limited to, any liability,
damages or other obligations related to the pending litigation between Botanical
Research Corp. and Shareholders or Sellers and any claims, suits or other
litigation arising out of the facts pertaining to such litigation.

             (b)  Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees to defend, indemnify
and hold harmless the Sellers and each of their respective Affiliates including,
without limitation, each of their respective partners, stockholders, officers,
directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the "Seller
Indemnitees") from and against any and all Damages arising out of or resulting
from: (i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by
Purchaser in this Agreement or in any writing delivered pursuant to this
Agreement or at the Closing; and (ii) the failure by Purchaser to perform or
observe any covenant, agreement or condition to be performed or observed by
Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or any agreement delivered pursuant to this
Agreement or at the Closing.

        7.3  Limitations on Indemnification.
             ------------------------------

             (a)  Sellers' and Shareholders' indemnification obligations in
Section 7.2(a)(i) and (ii) shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to
$9,000,000 (the "Cap Amount").

             (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7 to the
contrary, any Damages incurred by any Purchaser Indemnitee shall not be subject
to the Cap Amount to the extent they arise from (i) a breach of any of the
representations and

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

warranties contained in Section 3.1 (Capitalization), warranties contained in
Section 3.1 (Capitalization), Section 3.4 (Execution and Delivery), 3.9
(Property, Encumbrances), 3.21 (Employee Benefit Matters), or 3.30 (Hazardous
Materials), (ii) a breach of any representation or warranty which was given
fraudulently, or (iii) a breach of Section 8 hereof.

             (c)  Notwithstanding the terms of Section 7.2 (a), Sellers and
Shareholders shall not be liable for the first $350,000 (the "Threshold Amount")
in aggregate Damages sustained by Purchaser Indemnitees pursuant to Section
7.2(a)(i) or (ii); provided Purchaser Indemnitees shall be entitled to
indemnification for such Threshold Amount of Damages, as well as any amounts in
excess thereof, in the event Damages to Purchaser Indemnitees exceed such
Threshold Amount; provided further that the Threshold Amount shall not apply to
amounts owed under Section 7.2(a)(iii), (iv) or (v) to breaches of Section 8
hereof.

        7.4  Third Party Claims.
             ------------------

             (a)  If any party entitled to be indemnified pursuant to Section
7.2 (an "Indemnified Party") receives notice of the assertion by any third party
of any claim or of the commencement by any such third party of any Action (any
such claim or Action being referred to herein as an "Indemnifiable Claim") with
respect to which another party hereto (an "Indemnifying Party") is or may be
obligated to provide indemnification, the Indemnified Party shall promptly
notify the Indemnifying Party in writing (the "Claim Notice") of the
Indemnifiable Claim; provided, that the failure to provide such notice shall not
relieve or otherwise affect the obligation of the Indemnifying Party to provide
indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that any Damages directly
resulted or were caused by such failure.

             (b)  The Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days after
receipt of the Claim Notice (unless the claim or Action requires a response
before the expiration of such 30-day period, in which case the Indemnifying
Party shall have until the date that is ten (10) days before the required
response date) to acknowledge responsibility and undertake, conduct and control,
through counsel of its own choosing, and at its expense, the settlement or
defense thereof, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying
Party in connection therewith; provided, that (i) the Indemnifying Party shall
permit the Indemnified Party to participate in such settlement or defense
through counsel chosen by the Indemnified Party, provided that the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall not be borne by the Indemnifying Party, and (ii)
the Indemnifying Party shall not settle any Indemnifiable Claim without the
Indemnified Party's consent if the settlement requires the Indemnified Party to
admit wrongdoing, pay any fines or refrain from any action. So long as the
Indemnifying Party is vigorously contesting any such Indemnifiable Claim in good
faith, the Indemnified Party shall not pay or settle such claim without the
Indemnifying Party's consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

             (c)  If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified
Party within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Claim Notice (or before the
date that is ten (10) days before the required response date, if the claim or
Action requires a response

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

before the expiration of such 30-day period), that it before the expiration of
such 30-day period), that it acknowledges responsibility and elects to undertake
the defense of the Indemnifiable Claim described therein, the Indemnified Party
shall have the right to contest, settle or compromise the Indemnifiable Claim in
the exercise of its reasonable discretion; provided, that the Indemnified Party
shall notify the Indemnifying Party of any compromise or settlement of any such
Indemnifiable Claim.

             (d)  Anything contained in this Section 7.4 to the contrary
notwithstanding, Sellers shall not be entitled to assume the defense for any
Indemnifiable Claim (and shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses
incurred by the Indemnified Party in defending such claim) if the Indemnifiable
Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other
than money damages against Purchaser which Purchaser determines, after
conferring with its counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for
money damages and which, if successful, would adversely affect the business,
properties or prospects of Purchaser; provided, however, if such equitable
relief portion of the Indemnifiable Claim can be so separated from that for
money damages, Sellers shall be entitled to assume the defense of the portion
relating to money damages.

        7.5  Representative.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained
             --------------
herein, the Representative shall be given and shall give all notices, take all
actions, and make all decisions under Section 7.1 through Section 7.6 hereof on
behalf of the Sellers and Shareholders and all such notices, actions and
decisions shall be binding upon all Sellers.

        7.6  Other Agreements; Offset Rights.  The provisions of Sections 7.1
             -------------------------------
through 7.5 shall not apply to any breaches of a non-competition agreement, non-
disclosure agreement or employment agreement executed by Yanes. Any payments due
by Purchaser to any Seller or Shareholder hereunder may, at Purchaser's
election, be offset against any amounts owed by any Seller or Shareholder to
Purchaser or a Purchaser Indemnitee. Any payments due by any Seller or
Shareholder to Purchaser or a Purchaser Indemnitee hereunder may, at such
Seller's or Shareholder's election, be offset against any amounts owed by
Purchaser to such Seller or Shareholder hereunder. In the event any party
intends to exercise its offset right, to the extent the amount to be offset has
not been finally determined or agreed to by the parties, such amount shall be
placed by the party exercising its offset rights in an interest bearing escrow
account with Chicago Title Company, and the principal and interest thereon shall
be disbursed only after such rights have been finally determined under the
provisions of Section 11.13 hereof or agreed to by the parties hereto.

        7.7  Exclusive Rights.  Except in the case of (i) fraud, or (ii) suits
             ----------------
for specific performance, the rights contained in this Section 7 are the sole
and exclusive rights of the parties with respect to any breach of this Agreement
by any party hereto.

        7.8  Guarantees.  Purchaser hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
             ----------
harmless the Shareholders from any liabilities arising from the Shareholders'
guarantees referenced on Schedule 6.3(b) hereof.

                                      -39-
<PAGE>

     Section 8. COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE.
                ------------------------

        8.1  Covenant Not to Compete.  Each Seller and Shareholder hereby
             -----------------------
agrees, individually, for itself and himself, and not jointly and severally,
that until the earlier of (i) a period of five (5) years following the Closing
Date, or (ii) the occurrence of a Definitive Purchaser Default, neither that
Seller or Shareholder nor any of its or his Affiliates will, directly or
indirectly, own, manage, operate, join, control or participate in the ownership,
management, operation or control of, or be connected as a shareholder, member,
manager, director, officer, employee, partner, consultant or otherwise with, any
profit or non-profit business, firm, entity or organization, which, directly or
indirectly, competes with the Purchased Operations in any county or city in the
United States or Canada; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to (a) any
Seller's or Shareholder's beneficial or legal ownership of less than five
percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of any class of a public company, (b)
loans from Yanes to Pure Beauty Farms, Inc. ("Pure Beauty") not to exceed
$400,000 in the aggregate or (c) Yanes' ownership (either directly or through a
trust) of the real property currently used by Pure Beauty. Purchaser
acknowledges that it is aware that Pure Beauty is owned and operated by
relatives of Yanes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Shareholders, including
Yanes, and the Sellers agree to hold in confidence and not disclose to third
parties or use for their own benefit, or the benefit of others, the trade
secrets or confidential information of Sellers, Lovell Partnership or Enviro-
Safe. Each Seller and Shareholder acknowledges that Purchaser has legitimate
business interests and that the protection of these interests justifies this
restrictive covenant. The legitimate business interests include, but are not
limited to, trade secrets, valuable confidential business and professional
information that otherwise does not qualify as trade secrets; extraordinary or
specialized training; substantial relationships with specific prospective and
existing customers; and customer/client goodwill associated with a specific
geographic location, an ongoing business by way of a trade name or trademark and
a specific marketing or trade area. Each Seller and Shareholder acknowledges
further that his or its role with the operation sold to Purchaser hereunder
makes him or it uniquely aware of and a part of the legitimate business
interests acquired by Purchaser.

        8.2  No Solicitation.  Each Seller and Shareholder hereby agrees until
             ---------------
the earlier of (i) a period of five (5) years following the Closing Date, or
(ii) the occurrence of a Definitive Purchaser Default, no Seller, Shareholder
nor any Affiliate of any such Person shall (i) solicit or attempt to influence
any of Purchaser's current or future employees to become employees or render
services to any business or employer other than Purchaser; provided, however,
such provisions shall not prohibit WLovell and JLovell from having Deborah
Jordan provide services which are unrelated to the nursery business in an amount
and manner which will not adversely impact her ability to perform her job for
Purchaser, or (ii) solicit or attempt to influence any of Purchaser's current or
future customers or clients to purchase goods or services from a competitor of
Purchaser if such purchase could cause a diminution of Purchaser's sales to such
customer or client.

        8.3  Severability.  In the event any of the covenants in this Section 8
             ------------
shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable
by reason of its extending for too great a period of time, or over too great a
geographical area, or by

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, it shall be interpreted
to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable,
and/or over the maximum geographical area as to which it may be enforceable
and/or to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it may be
enforceable, all as determined by such court in such action.

        8.4  Specific Performance.  Each Seller and Shareholder acknowledges
             --------------------
that a breach of the covenants contained in this Section 8 will cause
irreparable damage to Purchaser, the exact amount of which will be difficult to
ascertain, and that the remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate.
Accordingly, each such Person agrees that if any such Person breaches the
covenants contained in this Section 8 in addition to any other remedy which may
be available at law or in equity, Purchaser shall be entitled to specific
performance and injunctive relief, without, in the event of a final judgment,
posting a bond or other security.

        8.5  Breaches by Others.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
             ------------------
the contrary, no party hereto shall be liable for the breach by any other party
of the covenants of such other party contained in this Section 8.

     Section 9. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING.  During the period
                -----------------------------------
commencing on the date hereof and continuing through the Closing Date, the
Shareholders covenant and agree to cause the Sellers to conduct their business
as follows (except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as
otherwise consented to by Purchaser in writing):

        9.1  Qualification.  Sellers shall maintain all qualifications to
             -------------
transact business and remain in good standing in their state of incorporation or
formation and in the foreign jurisdictions where each is qualified to do
business.

        9.2  Ordinary Course.  Each Seller shall conduct its business in, and
             ---------------
only in, the Ordinary Course and, to the extent consistent with such business,
shall preserve intact its current business organizations, keep available the
services of its current officers and employees and preserve its relationships
with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with it to the end
that its goodwill and going business value shall be unimpaired at the Closing
Date. Sellers shall maintain their accounts receivable, inventory, accounts
payable and accrued expenses at normal levels for the time of year of the
Closing and shall refrain from taking any action to (i) accelerate collection of
their accounts receivable, (ii) reduce inventory, (iii) defer payment of
accounts payable or accrued expenses or (iv) defer maintenance or capital
expenditures. Each Seller shall maintain its properties and assets in good
condition and repair.

        9.3  Organic Changes.  No Seller shall (a) amend its Articles or
             ---------------
Certificate, as the case may be, of Incorporation, Bylaws or partnership
agreement (or equivalent documents), (b) acquire by merging or consolidating
with, or agreeing to merge or consolidate with, or purchase substantially all of
the stock or assets of, or otherwise acquire any business or any corporation,
partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof, (c)
enter into any partnership or joint venture,

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

(d) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution in
respect of its capital stock or other securities or purchase or redeem, directly
or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock or other securities, (e) issue or
sell any shares of its capital stock or other securities or any options,
warrants or other rights to purchase any such shares or other securities or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares, (f) liquidate or
dissolve, or (g) obligate itself to do any of the foregoing.

        9.4  Indebtedness.  Except as provided in this Agreement, no Seller
             ------------
shall incur any indebtedness for borrowed money, sell any debt securities or
lend money to or guarantee the indebtedness of any Person other than in the
Ordinary Course. No Seller shall restructure or refinance its existing
indebtedness.

        9.5  Accounting.  No Seller shall make any change in the accounting
             ----------
principles, methods, records or practices followed by it or depreciation or
amortization policies or rates theretofore adopted by it.

        9.6  Compliance with Legal Requirements.  Each Seller shall comply
             ----------------------------------
promptly with all Legal Requirements applicable to it and its operations.

        9.7  Disposition of Assets.  No Seller shall sell, transfer, license,
             ---------------------
lease or otherwise dispose of, or suffer or cause the encumbrance by any Lien
upon, any of its properties or assets, tangible or intangible, or any interest
therein, except for sales of inventory in the Ordinary Course.

        9.8  Compensation.  No Seller shall (a) adopt or amend in any material
             ------------
respect any collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing, compensation, stock
option, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment or other plan,
agreement, trust, fund or arrangement for the benefit of employees (whether or
not legally binding) other than to comply with any Legal Requirement or (b)
except in the Ordinary Course, pay, or make any accrual or arrangement for
payment of, any increase in compensation, bonuses or special compensation of any
kind, or any severance or termination pay to, or enter into any employment or
loan or loan guarantee agreement with, any current or former officer, director,
employee or consultant of such Seller.

        9.9  Modification or Breach of Agreements; New Agreements.  No Seller
             ----------------------------------------------------
shall terminate or modify, or commit or cause or suffer to be committed any act
that will result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under
(with or without notice or passage of time, or both) or otherwise give any
Person a basis for nonperformance under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
loan or credit agreement, lease, license or other agreement, instrument,
arrangement or understanding, written or oral, disclosed in this Agreement or
the Schedules hereto. No Seller shall become a party to any contract or
commitment other than in the Ordinary Course. Each Seller shall meet all of its
contractual obligations in accordance with their respective terms.

        9.10 Capital Expenditures.  No Seller shall purchase, or enter into any
             --------------------
contract to purchase, any capital assets in an amount for any contract exceeding
$100,000.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

        9.11 Maintain Insurance.  Each Seller shall maintain its Policies in
             ------------------
full force and effect and shall not do or permit to be done any act by which any
of the Policies may be suspended, impaired or canceled.

        9.12 Discharge.  No Seller shall cancel, compromise, release or
             ---------
discharge any claim of such Seller upon or against any Person or waive any right
of such Seller of material value, and shall not discharge any Lien upon any
asset of the such Seller or compromise any debt or other obligation of such
Seller to any Person other than Liens, debts or obligations with respect to
current liabilities of such Seller.

     Section 10. TERMINATION.
                 -----------

        10.1 Grounds for Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any
             -----------------------
time prior to the Closing:

             (a)  by mutual written agreement of the Sellers and Purchaser;

             (b)  by either (i) Purchaser or (ii) Sellers, if the Closing shall
not have been consummated on or before March 31, 2000; provided that the right
to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(b) shall not be available to
any party whose failure or whose Affiliate's failure to perform any material
covenant or obligation under this Agreement is the cause of such delay;

             (c)  by either (i) Purchaser or (ii) Sellers, if there shall be
any law or regulation that makes consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby illegal or otherwise prohibited or if consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby would violate any nonappealable final order, decree or
judgment of any court or governmental body having competent jurisdiction;

             (d)  by Purchaser, provided Purchaser is not then in breach of any
of its obligations hereunder, if either (i) Sellers fail to perform any covenant
in this Agreement when performance thereof is due and does not cure the failure
within twenty (20) business days after Purchaser delivers written notice
thereof, or (ii) any other condition in Section 6.1 has not been satisfied and
is not capable of being satisfied prior to the date specified in Section
10.1(b); or

             (e)  by Sellers, provided that Sellers are not then in breach of
any of their obligations hereunder, if (i) Purchaser fails to perform any
covenant of this Agreement when performance thereof is due and does not cure the
failure within twenty (20) business days after notice by Sellers thereof, or
(ii) any condition in Section 6.2 has not been satisfied and is not capable of
being satisfied prior to the date specified in Section 10.1(b).

             The party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 10.1 shall give written notice of such termination to the other party.

        10.2 Effect of Termination.  If this Agreement is terminated as
             ---------------------
permitted by Section 10.1, such termination shall be without liability (subject
to Section

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

11.3) of any party (or any shareholder, director, officer, partner, employee,
agent, consultant or representative of such party) to this Agreement. The
provisions of Section 11.13 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

     Section 11. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
                 ------------------

        11.1 Notices.  All notices and other communications under or in
             -------
connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a)
if delivered personally, upon delivery, (b) if delivered by registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested), upon the earlier of actual delivery
or three days after being mailed, or (c) if given by telecopy, upon confirmation
of transmission by telecopy, in each case to the parties at the following
addresses:

             (a)  If to Purchaser, addressed to:

                  Hines Nurseries, Inc.
                  12621 Jeffrey Road
                  Irvine, CA 92620-2101
                  Telecopy: (949) 786-0968
                  Attention: Stephen P. Thigpen

                  With a copy to:

                  Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
                  695 Town Center Drive, 17th Floor
                  Costa Mesa, California 92626
                  Telecopy:  (714) 979-1921
                  Attention: William J. Simpson, Esq.

             (b)  If to Sellers, addressed to:

                  Warren Lovell
                  150 Arvida Parkway
                  Coral Gables, FL  33156

                  With a copy to:

                  Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A.
                  1 S.E. 3rd Avenue, 28th Floor
                  Miami, FL  33131-1714
                  Telecopy: (305) 374-5095
                  Attention:  Stephen K. Roddenberry

                                      -44-
<PAGE>

             (c)  If to Shareholders, addressed to:

                  Warren Lovell
                  150 Arvida Parkway
                  Coral Gables, FL  33156

                  With a copy to:

                  Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A.
                  1 S.E. 3rd Avenue, 28th Floor
                  Miami, FL  33131-1714
                  Telecopy: (305) 374-5095
                  Attention:  Stephen K. Roddenberry

        11.2  Severability.  If any term or provision of this Agreement or the
              ------------
application thereof to any circumstance shall, in any jurisdiction and to any
extent, be invalid or unenforceable, such term or provision shall be ineffective
as to such jurisdiction to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability
without invalidating or rendering unenforceable such term or provision in any
other jurisdiction, the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the
application of such terms and provisions to circumstances other than those as to
which it is held invalid or enforceable.

        11.3  Expenses.  Each party will bear the costs of its agents,
              --------
attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, travel, lodging and entertainment
and associated expenses except as provided in this Agreement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Sellers shall be responsible for any brokers' or finders'
commission or fee of Sellers (including the fees and costs of Performance Group)
and for all of Sellers' and Shareholders' tax (except to the extent expressly
provided hereby) and legal costs related to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (including without limitation with respect to this
Agreement, and all related matters) and Purchaser shall be responsible for the
Closing Costs and the amount by which the fees and expenses of Deloitte &
Touche, LLP related solely to the 1999 year end audit of the Sellers exceeds the
amount that Deloitte & Touche charged for the 1998 audit of Sellers (which audit
did not include an audit of Lovell Partnership).

        11.4  Public Announcements.  After the Closing, Purchaser shall be
              --------------------
permitted to issue a press release or otherwise make any public statement with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that is consented to
by Shareholders or required by law, but specifically excluding the amount of the
Purchase Price and the Earn-Outs, Schedules to this Agreement and other
information and documents delivered by Sellers and Shareholders hereunder.

        11.5  Third-Party Rights.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
              ------------------
Agreement, and except as expressly provided in Section 7 hereof, this Agreement
shall not create benefits on behalf of any other Person not a party to this
Agreement (including without limitation any broker or finder), and this
Agreement shall be effective only as between the parties hereto, their
successors and permitted assigns.

                                      -45-
<PAGE>

        11.6  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including the exhibits and
              ----------------
schedules attached hereto and other documents referred to herein, contains the
entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect of its subject matter
and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral
and written, between the parties with respect to such subject matter, including
without limitation the letter of intent among the parties hereto.

        11.7  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the
              ----------------------
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement and the rights and obligations
hereunder shall not be assignable by any party, including each Seller and
Shareholder, without the written consent of the other parties and any such
purported assignment by any party without such consent shall be void, except
that any or all rights of any party hereto to receive the performance of the
obligations of any other party hereto and rights to assert claims against such
other party in respect of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representations,
warranties or covenants of such other party, may be assigned by such party to
any Affiliate(s) or owner(s) of such party.

        11.8  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
              ------------
counterparts, including electronically transmitted counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute
but one and the same Agreement.

        11.9  Recitals, Schedules and Exhibits.  The recitals, schedules,
              --------------------------------
exhibits and annexes to this Agreement are incorporated herein and made a part
hereof as if fully set forth at length herein.

        11.10 Construction.  The article, section and subsection headings used
              ------------
herein are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the
masculine, feminine or neuter gender, and the singular or plural, shall be
deemed to include the others whenever and wherever the context so requires.

        11.11 Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
              -------------
in accordance with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of the State
of Florida.

        11.12 Attorneys' Fees.  In the event of any dispute related to or based
              ---------------
upon this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the
other party its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

        11.13 Arbitration.
              -----------

              (a)  Any controversy, claim or dispute involving the parties (or
their affiliated persons) directly or indirectly concerning this Agreement or
the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, any issues and matters
arising under the federal and state securities laws and questions concerning the
scope and applicability of this Section 11.13 shall be finally settled by
arbitration held in Miami-Dade County,

                                      -46-
<PAGE>

Florida by one arbitrator in accordance with the rules of commercial arbitration
then followed by the American Arbitration Association or any successor to the
functions thereof. The arbitrator shall apply Florida law in the resolution of
all controversies, claims and disputes and shall have the right and authority to
determine how his or her decision or determination as to each issue or matter in
dispute may be implemented or enforced subject to the provisions of Section 7.7
hereof. Any decision or award of the arbitrator shall be final and conclusive on
the parties to this Agreement and their respective Affiliates, and there shall
be no appeal therefrom other than from gross negligence or willful misconduct.

             (b)  The parties hereto agree that any action to compel
arbitration pursuant to this Agreement may be brought in the appropriate Miami-
Dade County, Florida court and in connection with such action to compel the laws
of the State of Florida shall control. Application may also be made to such
court for confirmation of any decision or award of the arbitrator, for an order
of the enforcement and for any other remedies which may be necessary to
effectuate such decision or award. The parties hereto hereby consent to the
jurisdiction of the arbitrator and of such court and waive any objection to the
jurisdiction of such arbitrator and court.

             (c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
11.13, nothing contained herein shall require arbitration of any issue arising
under this Agreement for which injunctive relief is successfully sought by any
party hereto. Any action, suit or other proceeding initiated by any Seller,
Shareholder or Purchaser against any other party pursuant to this clause (c) may
be brought in any Federal or state court in Miami-Dade County, Florida having
jurisdiction over the subject matter thereof as the party bringing such action,
suit or proceeding shall elect. Each Seller, Shareholder, Parent and Purchaser
hereby submit themselves to the jurisdiction of any such court and agree that
service of process on them in any such action, suit or proceeding may be
effected by the means by which notices are to be given to it under this
Agreement.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this
Agreement, or has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a
representative duly authorized, all as of the date first above set forth.

                              PURCHASER:

                              HINES NURSERIES, INC.,
                              a California corporation

                              By:_________________________
                              Its:________________________

                              PARENT:

                              HINES HORTICULTURE, INC.
                              a Delaware corporation

                              By:_________________________
                              Its:________________________

                              SELLERS:

                              LOVELL FARMS, INC.,
                              a Florida corporation

                              By:_________________________
                              Its:________________________

                              BOTANICAL FARMS, INC.,
                              a Florida corporation

                              By:_________________________
                              Its:________________________

                                      -48-
<PAGE>

                              SHAREHOLDERS:

                              _________________________
                              WARREN W. LOVELL III

                              _________________________
                              JEFFREY S. LOVELL

                              _________________________
                              ENRIQUE A. YANES

                              _________________________
                              JENIFER E. MORENO, AS TRUSTEE OF
                              THE TRACE LOVELL FAMILY
                              INVESTMENT TRUST

                                      -49-
<PAGE>

                            INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Term                                           Section
               ----                                           -------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>
Acquired Assets                                     1.1(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquired Improvements                               1.2(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquired Land                                       1.2(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquired Leased Real Property                       1.2(d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquired Real Property                              1.2(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Act                                                 3.37(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action                                              3.18(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Purchase Price                           2.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                                     2.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Affiliate                                           3.26
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement                                           Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGUB                                                6.3(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akerman, Senterfitt                                 6.2(g)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocations                                         6.3(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assumed Liabilities                                 1.1(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorizations                                      1.1(a)(vii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheets                                      3.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Date                                  3.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit Plans                                       3.21(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Botanical Farms                                     Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Rights                                     1.1(a)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cap Amount                                          7.3(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claim Notice                                        7.4(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claims Period                                       7.1(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing                                             6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Costs                                       6.2(h)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Date                                        6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COBRA                                               3.21(f)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code                                                2.2(a)(iii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock                                        3.1(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company Securities                                  3.1(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contracts                                           1.1(a)(v)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Control                                             3.26
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Damages                                             7.2(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitive Purchaser Default                        7.1(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earn-Out                                            2.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Election                                            6.3(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                      -1-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employer benefit plans                              3.21(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Audits                                6.1(p)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enviro-Safe                                         Recitals
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERISA                                               3.21(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Additional Purchase Price                 2.3(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excluded Assets                                     1.1(d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excluded Liabilities                                1.2(d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Additional Purchase Price                     2.3(d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Statements                                3.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Furniture & Equipment                               1.1(a)(ix)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Furniture and Equipment                             1.2(a)(viii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP                                                3.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government Payments                                 3.19
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government Returns                                  3.19
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Governmental Entity                                 3.18(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hazardous Material                                  3.30(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indebtedness                                        3.17
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnifiable Claim                                 7.4(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnified Party                                   7.4(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnifying Party                                  7.4(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent Accountants                             2.2(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information Technology                              3.33
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intellectual Property Rights                        3.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventory                                           1.1(a)(x)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JLovell                                             Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowledge                                           3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowledge of Sellers                                3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leased Real Property                                1.2(d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal Requirement                                   3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities Excluded by Purchaser                   1.1(d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lien                                                3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lovell Farms                                        Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lovell Partnership                                  Recitals
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Adverse Effect                             3.8(f)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Contracts                                  3.24
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Objection Notice                                    2.3(d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ordinary Course                                     3.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ordinary Income Items                               2.3(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Shares                                     2.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Agreements                                    3.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                      -2-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parent                                              Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permits                                             3.22(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permitted Liens                                     3.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Person                                              3.26
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Policies                                            3.16
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibited Transaction                              3.21(g)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed EBITDA Modification                        2.2(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proprietary Information                             3.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchased Operations                                2.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchased Operations Financials                     2.2(a)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase Price                                      2.1(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser                                           Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser Indemnitees                               7.2(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser's 2000 Adjusted EBITDA                    2.2(a)(ii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative                                      2.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seller Indemnitees                                  7.2(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sellers                                             Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sellers' Improvements                               1.1(a)(ii)(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sellers' Land                                       1.1(a)(ii)(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sellers' Leased Real Property                       1.1(a)(iii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sellers' Real Property                              1.1(a)(ii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortfall                                           2.3(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Structures                                          3.11(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surveys                                             6.1(n)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Threshold Amount                                    7.3(c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title Policies                                      6.1(m)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust                                               Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Underlying Documents                                6.1(m)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WLovell                                             Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yanes                                               Preamble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 2000 Limitation                                2.2(e)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 2.2

               Lovell Farms (a division of Hines Nurseries Inc.)
            Adjusted EBITDA Calculation for Lovell Farms (including
                      combined companies and partnership)
          For twelve months ending December 31 and prepared according
                  to generally accepted accounting principles

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             For the 12 months ending
                                                                   December 31
<S>                                                          <C>
Income from operations before income and
franchise taxes, other non-operating income
and expenses, interest income, interest
expense, and gains/losses on the disposition
of property.  Compensation expense for Yanes
for calendar year 2000 shall be determined
as though he were employed during the entire
year 2000 pursuant to the Employment
Agreement to be entered into between Yanes
and Purchaser.
                                                                        $
                                                                        -------------------------

Plus:

Hines Nurseries, Inc. and Hines Horticulture,
Inc. corporate charges allocated and charged
to Lovell Farms and combined companies (but
not including expenses allocated to Lovell
Farms for insurance coverage provided by
Hines Nurseries, Inc. or Hines Horticulture                             --------------------------
Inc.)

Depreciation expense                                                    --------------------------

Goodwill amortization expense and other
amortization expense                                                    --------------------------

Compensation expensed for Warren and Jeffrey
Lovell from January 1, 2000 through the
Closing Date.                                                           --------------------------

Adjusted EBITDA                                                         --------------------------
</TABLE>

All above amounts are based on operating results for the twelve-month period
ending December 31 and prepared according to generally accepted accounting
principles.
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 2.2
                                  (continued)

          In the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the calendar year 2000, the
opening inventory amount as of January 1, 2000 shall equal inventory amounts as
reflected in the 1999 year-end audit of Sellers by Deloitte and Touche, LLP, as
reduced, in Purchaser's discretion, to reflect inventory valuation methods
consistent with those of Purchaser and/or Parent on a company-wide basis
("Opening Inventory Amount").  This Opening Inventory Amount shall also be used
in part to value inventory as of the Closing Date for purposes of determining
the Additional Purchase Price in accordance with Section 2.3.

          The Purchaser shall provide written notice to Sellers of the Opening
Inventory Amount at the time Purchaser provides the calculation of a proposed
Additional Purchase Price to Sellers in accordance with Section 2.3(d) of the
Agreement, and the Sellers may object to the calculation of the Opening
Inventory Amount in the time and manner set forth in that Section 2.3(d), and
any disagreement with respect to that Amount shall be resolved in the manner set
forth in Section 2.3(e).

          Deliveries of inventory to customers in the year 2000 and on or before
the Closing Date will be considered sales in 2000 and reflected in Adjusted
EBITDA for that year. The methodology for the costing of inventory used in
determining the Additional Purchase Price shall be employed in determining the
cost of inventory for the periods ending December 31, 2000 and December 31,
2001.  Inventory amounts at December 31, 2000 and December 31, 2001 will be
based upon an audit as of those dates.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 4.6

                             Third Party Approvals

     Consent of Purchaser's Lenders

                                      -3-

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