Compost is a mixture of decaying organic matter used to improve
soil structure, and provide nutrients.

Examples of compost are a mixture of leaves, twigs, branches,
grass clippings, yard waste and manure. Anything that was once
alive will naturally crumble and will become easy to use for
composting.

Composting is a great way to trim down wastes, get wet garbage
out of the can and make use out of it, have a free product for
your garden and nurture the earth.

A compost pile consists of a large number of microorganisms.
These microorganisms process the mixtures and produce compost.
To make sure your compost is full of nutrients, there should be
two vital parts involved. Nitrogen-rich materials and
carbon-rich materials help you produce composts instantly.

There are a variety of materials that could be used for your
compost mixture. Coffee filters, coffee grounds and teabags will
not be wasted and thrown into the garbage. Leaves, plant
branches, grass trimmings, vegetable and fruit scraps would be
placed to use in the mixture of your compost.

Dead animals, pet manure and diseased plants are materials that
cannot be placed into your mixture because it may cause
infection. Bread grains, meat and fish parts, dairy and oily
products would not decompose by itself in any way you try.

Composts could be used for maintenance of plants, gardens and
lawns, but it is not an alternate for fertilizers. Compost
maintains nutrients in the ground which plants make use of; it
loosens clay soils and preserves water in sandy soils. There are
several uses for compost. These are the following:

1. Composts could be used for soil improvement. Because composts
contain nutrients, it serves as sustenance for the plants. By
mixing compost into your garden once a year, it would enhance
the growth of your plants.

2. Composts could be used as a potting mixture. By transferring
the plants into a container, these may serve as supplement to
the soil.

3. Composts could be used as mulch. Mulch mixed with compost
could help with water maintenance in the soil and could lead to
prevention of slugs and snails. Mulch also preserve soil heat
and keeps it from escaping, which would eventually look after
root systems.

4. Composts could be used as decoration. In gardening and
anything relating to soil, these mixtures could serve as a top
dressing over your lawn.

There are a number of easy ways to produce composts.

First is the open air composting. To keep the mixture of piles
organized and out of reach from animals and children, place the
compost mixture in bins and water it occasionally to produce
moisture.

The mixture would decompose by itself and the only thing you
would do is harvest it once or twice a year, depending on the
decomposing process.

For an area where decomposing odor is restricted, closed air
composting is right for you. Closed bins which are made of wood,
metal or old fences could be used.

Simply place the mixture inside the bin and check to see if the
water and mixture is equally distributed. Add more water if the
mixture dries out. Add dry mixture if the compost becomes damp.
Harvesting of compost may be once or twice a year.

The most effortless method in recycling organic mixtures at home
is grass cycling. By leaving all the leaves and cut grass on the
lawn, it would decompose by itself in time.

Start to make use of garbage. Make your own home-made composts
while preserving the earth.

Report Excerpt: RenewableEnergyStocks.com Reports - Oil Prices
and Environmental Issues Fuel Renewable Energy Investments and
Initiatives

By Brian Noer, www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com November 2005

In North America, issues such as rising oil prices, hurricanes,
global warming and other environmental crises are raising the
awareness and importance of renewable energy initiatives. The
benefits to both consumers and corporates of energy efficient
lighting solutions are gaining in importance as executives from
General Electric (NYSE: GE), Philips Lighting B.V. (NYSE: PHG)
and Cyberlux Corporation (OTCBB: CYBL) make evident through
their conversations with RenewableEnergyStocks.com in the
following report.

Traditional lighting companies are obviously aware of the energy
efficient trend and are working to develop solutions that fit
into the nation’s renewable energy initiatives.
“Energy-efficient GE products save customers money,” said Joseph
G. Howley, Manager, Industry Relations & Environmental Marketing
at GE Consumer & Industrial.

“Customers are willing to pay slightly more for these products
because they get a quick payback from the energy savings,
“continued Howley. “For businesses, the overall cost of light,
not the cost of the bulb, is what counts: bulbs can represent as
little as 4 percent of the overall life-cycle cost; maintenance
and labor costs such as installation represent as little as 8
percent of the overall life-cycle cost; and energy costs over
the life of a bulb can represent as much as 88 percent of the
overall cost of light. The financial benefits to the customer
and GE drive the development of energy efficient products.”

“The capability of solid-state lighting technology has advanced
significantly, at a ‘Moore’s Law’ pace,” said Mark Schmidt, COO
and president of Cyberlux. “Our products harness this capability
and give home builders, residential designers and home buyers a
new, energy efficient alternative to traditional lighting
technologies.”

To Read the Full Report Click Here:
http://www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com/Articles/Energy_Efficient_Li
ghting.asp

In the wake of what can be arguably called the world’s greatest act of God in the new millenium, we have also been witness to what can be equally argued as the world’s greatest act of charity as the United Nations have received over 4 Billion dollars of aid meant for Southeast Asia. With so much money to counter in even greater need, one thing we must learn from this is what to do next time. The tragedy continues to escalate, and what can be more tragic now, with aid so close away, it can’t even get to most of the people that need it.

Canada must be commended for it’s deployment of the DART team. DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team) is comprised of 43 person medical team, and has a water purification equipment. While they are not equiped to handle major trauma or surgical needs, they can treat secondary ailments relating to unsanitary conditions.

However, the DART team, like most of the assistance sent by the world’s nations, cannot even reach to the people since the roads are still blocked. The idea behind the DART team is what is important. There is no reason why other countries work together and create other DART teams, that can both enhance the one Canada has, or focus on other potential problem areas. Measures must be taken that are common for most disasters. Getting a secure location, making a path to reach the affected areas for both containment, and pulling out survivors, treating the wounded, and feeding the people. It has been over 2 weeks since the incident, and still people have no help. Groups impersonating relief organisations seemed to have profited the most, and they have made an unestimated amount of money from unsuspecting samaritans.

What can you do? Simple. If you haven’t donated yet, and are afraid of getting scammed, go directly to the relief organisation. Do not give money to people that call you, or that you see in the street. To find a more extensive list, check http://www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html
But that along is not enough. If the United Nations cannot properly manage the assistance, write to your government and have them follow Canada’s lead. Get them to work on another DART type team or program. What happened in Southeast Asia can happen to you, either around your home, or while you are on vacation. Do you want to know that people have sent provisions that cannot get to you,but there was something they could do about it?

About the Author

Gary Whittaker is the editor of T.E.N Magazine, a social commentary webzine with balls! Check out more articles at http://www.tenwebzine.com

There’s a snake in the yard!!! What to do (and not do) when you
see a snake

by Chad Minter

First, don’t kill nonvenomous snakes. Any given area can only
support a fixed number of snakes. If you kill the nonvenomous
snakes that leaves a food supply that could support a population
of venomous snakes.

Remember to stay a safe distance from the snake. Snakes usually
strike about 1/2 their body length, but they can strike farther.
You also don’t want to trip and fall on the snake.

80% of bites occur when someone tries to catch or kill a snake.
The safest thing you can do if you see a snake is to leave it
alone. (It’s probably protected by law anyway.)

85% of bites in the United States occur on the hand and forearm.
50% involve a victim under the age of 20. 70% of bites in the
United States involve alcohol consumption.

If you have a snake in your yard, either call someone trained in
their removal or stand at a safe distance and spray it with a
garden hose. Snakes hate that and will leave quickly.

Step on logs rather than over them. Snakes coil beside logs in
the “Reinert Posture” and might mistake your leg for a predator
or prey.

Watch where you put your hands and feet. Do not reach under
boards with your fingers.

Snakes can be handled safely with proper tools and training, but
do NOT risk trying to handle venomous snakes if you have not
been professionally trained. There are things that no website
can teach you about how to handle venomous snakes safely.

You can minimize the appeal of your yard to a snake by 1.
cutting the grass, 2. picking up debris, and 3. Controlling
rodents. If there is no food or shelter the snake will soon
leave for better hunting grounds.

The safest thing to do if you see a snake is to LEAVE IT ALONE.
Most bites occur when someone is attempting to capture or kill a
snake.

If you are bitten by a snake, seek immediate medical care from a
licensed and experienced physician. According to the Centers for
Disease Control, the first aid for snakebite consists of:

“Do remain calm - Remember that there is an excellent chance for
survival, and in most cases there is plenty of time.

Do suck and squeeze - as much venom as possible directly from
the wound. Venom is protein and can be taken orally with no ill
effects.

Do remove jewelry - Swelling can progress rapidly, so rings,
watches and bracelets can be a real problem.

Do mark the time - The progress of symptoms (swelling) is the
most obvious indicator of the amount of envenomation.

Do keep the stricken limb below the heart.

Do get to a hospital as quickly as possible - Anti-venom serum
is the only sure cure for envenomation, and because some people
are allergic to horse serum it should only be given in a fully
equipped medical facility.

In case of a Coral bite, do pull the snake off immediately -
Corals’ fangs are relatively small, and they have to work at
getting venom into the wound. Therefore, the faster the snake is
removed the less venom is injected.

Do attempt to identify the offending snake - Positive
identification in the form of a dead snake is helpful, if
convenient, but no time or safety should be wasted since the
symptoms will give medical personnel an accurate diagnosis.

Do get a tetanus shot.

Don’t cut the wound - This almost always causes more damage than
it’s worth.

Don’t use a tourniquet - This isolates the venom in a small area
and causes the digestive enzymes in the venom to concentrate the
damage.

Don’t use alcohol orally - it speeds the heart and blood flow
and reduces the body’s counter-acting ability.

Don’t use ice - Freezing the stricken limb has been found to be
a major factor leading to amputation.”

Remember, snakes have their place in the ecosystem and were
around long before we arrived. We are the visitors in their
garden. Snakes are quite capable of defending themselves, but
are reluctant to do so. If you follow a few common sense rules
you can minimize an already very small risk of snakebite during
your outdoor adventure.

Now that you are settled back at school it is a good time to think about how you can help the planet by making your classroom and school environmentally friendly. Here are some ideas to get you started:

——————————————————————————–

Start a program to save the trees.

Did you know that paper comes from trees? Take good care of your books and they will last longer so other students will be able to use them. Use your paper carefully. Use the whole sheet (and both sides) of the paper for writing and drawing. Our pencils are made of wood from trees. The pencil will last longer if you press lightly when you write and be careful not to over sharpen the pencil when it breaks or becomes dull. Some desks and furniture is also made from wood products. Be careful not to damage these resources and materials and they will last a long time. If you use paper towels in the washroom use only enough that you need to dry your hands. If you use napkins in the cafeteria, you only need one. What else do you have in your classroom which is made from trees? How many ways can you think of to make them last longer?

Start a program to save energy.

Always turn off the lights if you are the last one to leave the room. Do you use an electric hand dryer in the washroom? Use it only long enough to dry your hands. Do you come to school by car? Why not start a car pool where children in your neighborhood can share rides.

Start a program to conserve water.

Run the water only long enough to wash your hands, when you are finished make sure to turn the tap tightly so the water doesn’t drip.

Start a program to recycle.

Set up a recycle box for the paper you are finished with. Scraps of colored paper can be saved for future projects. When you have enough saved you can be creative with a scrap paper project. If you bring your lunch from home, only bring what you know you will eat. If you eat lunch at a cafeteria only order what you will eat. Wasting food is not good for the environment. Start a recycling program for plastic and metal containers. Have you grown out of clothes that are still in good condition? Pass them on to a brother, sister, friend, thrift shop, or charity.

Related Internet Resources:

http://scienceforfamilies.allinfo-about.com/features/greenandclean.html

About the Author

Author and Internet Content Developer since 1995.

Celebrate Parks Day, Everyday this Summer!
(485 words)

Canada’s Parks Day falls on July 16’th this year. First celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is an opportunity for individuals to participate in hundreds of unique and fun events taking place in sites from coast to coast. Events are organized in national parks, national historic sites, provincial parks, and territorial parks, as well as in community and regional parks across the country.

Increasingly regulated and restricted, the dwindling islands we like to call parks are more precious than we could possibly realize. Although having a special day to honor them is fantastic, there really should be a year-round awareness to maintain and keep them clean and garbage free. When we make an effort to keep trails and waterways clean we see measurable results in a healthier and safer environment for wildlife and humans alike to enjoy. Many communities rely on tourism and a clean pristine park will entice tourists to return and mention it to others.

Parks and trails with trash bins are less likely to have litter lying around the grounds. Get in the habit of always packing a supply of bags to pick up any stray litter you might find along the way. Rather than walking by trash and fretting about it – pick it up and be proactive! It is surprising how good it begins to feel when you make a difference.

Eighty percent of the waste found in waterways (streams, creeks, rivers, swamps, lakes and oceans) originates from inland sources. Rivers act like a vortex pulling in debris through air and water currents and can carry it thousands of miles further along its path. Cities on or near these waterways have a responsibility to be even more diligent of pollution as they are more likely to ‘share’ with unwilling populations downstream of them.

Highways and roads are also convenient corridors for loose garbage to travel upon. Natural wind and breezes caused by traffic can pull in a vast amount of junk. We can take action and help to decrease this. Starting in your own yard, do you see loose garbage along your street and alley bordering your yard that needs to be cleaned up? Also, encourage friends, neighbors and businesses to keep garbage bin lids securely closed to prevent litter escaping to the wind. When carrying loads in vehicles, make sure the load is covered so debris does not fall out along the way. Another pro-active option to consider is stream and swamp clean up projects in urban areas. These are often supported by businesses and cities through the donation of garbage bags, supplies, media coverage, trash removal and occasionally, volunteers.

Maybe if there were enough of us continually cleaning up the areas we inhabit, the whole world would resemble a park. Happy Parks Day…

About the Author

– Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept of their book, Trash Talk. The book offers useful solutions for the individual to reduce waste and better manage resources. A guide for anyone concerned about their impact on the environment. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

VFD-Double-Stage High-Efficiency Vacuum Insulation Oil Purifier
Application VFD series is mainly used to improve the properties
of insulation oil. It can remove trace water, gas, particulate
matters etc. from the insulating oil effectively and rapidly so
as to boost performance of transformers, circuit breakers,
mutual inductors, cable and capacitors which has insulation
system. VFD series specialize in purifying branded oil,
insulating oil of high voltage and super high voltage
transformer. Additionally, it is suitable for treating low
viscosity lubrication oil.

Water is used as a significant power source in many parts of the
world. In fact, Norway uses it to produce 99 percent of its
electricity. So, how does it work?

Water constantly moves through a vast global cycle. First, it
evaporates from water sources such as lakes and oceans, forming
clouds. The water is returned to the Earth in the form of
precipitation such as rain or snow. This eventually flows
through rivers until it reaches larger bodies of water such as
monstrous lakes like Lake Baikal in Russia or oceans.

The sun powers this natural cycle through the evaporation
process. In doing so, it also gives us a very clean energy
resource that can be used to generate massive amounts of
electricity. .

When flowing water is captured and turned into electricity, it
is called hydroelectric power. While there are different types
of hydroelectric power plants, all rely on the kinetic energy
found in flowing water as a basis for generating electricity. In
projects such as the Three Gorges Dam in China, the amount of
electricity produced is simply stunning.

The exact process by generating electricity differs slightly in
each situation, but is basically uniform in the fundamental
workings. A site is located on a river where there is a
significant volume of water and flow rate. A dam is then built
on the river, which effectively seals off the water flow. When
the dam is built, spillways are created within the structure,
which allow the water to pass through the dam in a controlled
manner.

Within the lower section of these spillways, large turbines are
placed with their “paddle” fans in the path of the water. As the
water rushes pass, the fans are turned and electricity is
produced. The electricity is then either stored or sent out on
lines for use in cities. For example, electricity produced from
Hoover Damn on the Colorado River supplies electricity to Las
Vegas and surrounding towns.

Generating electricity with water is a fairly common
methodology. Since it doesn’t produce pollutants or waste, it is
also a good one for our environment.

Like our farm, Highland Hill Farm, Carversville Pa. is located
in an eara with lots of clay. We therefore like plants that grow
well in clay. Arborvitae, in particular the Green Giant is our
favorite. Here is why. The hardiness zone for the Green Giant
Arborvitae is from zones 5 to 8. Its evergreen with rapid growth
rates that in ideal conditions can be up to 3 feet per year.
Site requirements for the green giant is sun to partial shade,
moist well drained soil but does well in clay, and needs
protection from wind . Its texture is fine with its form conical
being narrow to broadly pyramidal, reaching from 50 to 80′ in
height to 15 to 20 feet in width. The leaf is rich green
graceful foliage. It keeps its foliage color in the winter. The
Green Giants flowers/fruit are .5″ erect female cones. The Green
Giant has strong wood, casts dense shade, and has cinnamon red
bark when young. Arborvitae do not tolerate salt spray. These
arborvitae should outlive even your children.