Thank you to all of you for your input. Tomhoffman, the topography (hillside, several draws) is not condusive to plowing, and I do not want to disturb the soil (the property has been resting since 1962 and there is very good biological activity in the soil). It will take hard work to exhaust the Himalayan blackberry through mowing, but it can be done within 4-5 years. And since I'd have to mow anyway, whether grass alone or grass and blackberry... it makes sense to keep mowing. Sergeant, thank you for the link to the 4105. Definitely looks like something I should consider, and it also confirms what Corvetteguy and Gzec recommended. Thank you for the info on the MSRP. Turnage, the grass that I hope to have out-compete the blackberry (and some Poison oak and various thistles) is Blue wild rye (Elymus glaucus) and Western fescue (Festuca occidentalis). They do grow tall and my stand will be seeded for a dense cover, in order to out-compete the weeds. Sounds like I'll need at least 30 hp, if not 40-45. Johninmd, I do not have a four wheeler that could drag a mower. Johntommybob, yes this is an orchard in the making. I believe that once we get rid of the blackberry and other invasive plants, we'll have to deal only with grass, and we'll cut it repeatedly so it doesn't grow too tall and does not compete with the young trees (for water and nutrients). At that point in time a zero turn might do the job, especially the ATV version (because the topography on my site is pretty hilly, with several draws and a couple steeper slopes). Thanks again

Glad this turned out well for you, Cindy. After my very bad experience last year, I decided not to risk $200 of my hard-earned money this year, so I've kept my buying to US folks. I figure if Joni or some of my friends here don't have it, I don't need it. And as all you (brave) folks get them, they'll become easier to get here. That lacunosa looks SO much like my Dischidia nr. Burma, it's uncanny! Of course, it's not a real closeup photo, so there may be differences I'm not seeing. I know Jack has a reputation for having the right IDs, so I assume it's just a coincidence they look so much alike. Here's my nr. Burma... Denise in Omaha

Pink I think there is a ban in CA,. Its now Perc free. It's a trend. Wetcleaning, a water based cleaning solution is the new green. Works reasonably well, but takes twice as long to finish on the press. Dry Cleaning is an aging art. Clothing today is disposable. You need lots of volume in that business to make a buck. Overhead, labor, equipment costs, regulation, and declining sales have driven those shops right out of business. Those that do survive will be ultra expensive and catering to a niche clientele.

I'm sorry you had to go thru that Ida. You did the right thing and it was very wise not to confront him OR give your name. I generally have a lot of respect for LO but there are bad apples in every barrel and he sounds like a really mushy one. I've told very rude people that I was going to hang up on them if they didn't stop yelling or insulting me and only once have I actually done it. I was shaking by that time and it was either me let out a long spew of curse words at the caller or hang up. Once I called to ask a question at a male dominated business. The guy on the other end was so dismissive and surly to me that I finally said "Look, are you always such an A-hole or are you just having a bad day?" He was stunned in to silence for a few moments but he eventually changed his attitude. He was still demeaning but not nearly as bad as he was when the conversation had started. Sometimes you just need to call people out on their behavior. But ONLY when its safe!