Justaguy- Thanks again. The primary reason for thinking I'd use the pine bark fines was that I have a readily available, readily inexpensive source AND, it's something that I have to go get anyway for other "projects". Currently have some lying around also. However, the fact that it takes longer to break down as you've indicated, probably makes my reasoning unjustified/invalid. Only prob is, the only other "readily available" known good source of brown material I have is leaves. And as you indicated, it also takes a long time to break down (at least to manufacture true compost). So, now I have another delimma. At any rate, regardless, If I set out to make true leaf compost with shredded leaves, based on what you're saying, it certainly should break down faster than the pine bark fines. Sounds like I'm moving towards your original statement of use the fines for a soil ammendment and mulch, and use other materials (in this case shredded leaves and household waste) for composted materials. Pine bark fines soil ammendment, Composted shredded leaves, green manure cover crops, sounds like one heck of a start to me. In your opinion, if I go to these efforts, is it still somehow important that I work in straw and some form of animal manure into my "program"? In other words am I missing any desirable components that you can get me considering? What next (already looking into chickens for the spring....).

My dermatologist took some brown spots off my face awhile back using this method, and it worked exactly like said. First they looked worse, then they looked scabby, then the scab came off and there was nice pink skin under it! I would never recommend trying do-it-yourself om your face, but you can remove brown spots elsewhere by applying dry ice. I did it on my arms and it worked. It doesn't take much time, so be very careful! It's also good to do these procedures in the winter so the tender new skin is not exposed to the sun, presuming your winters are cold and gray like mine.

Thanks Christine1950 for the link. It as really good info! In "layman's terms" a hot spot is a reaction of the skin to irritation. It can happen any time of year, or from any kind if irritation. bgaylene52 - My cocker gets them from being shaved too! Tell your groomer to sharpen her clippers and oil them! Dull clippers that are working hard to cut the hair will get hot and irritate the skin. Or find someone who will hand scissor your dog. It costs a little more but will end the problem. My Bulldog mix gets them from spring pollen, usually chewing her feet. My Pitbull mix gets them from the grass all summer long, again chewing her feet and my Dalmation gets them from Wheat in anything she eats. If you find your dog chewing its feet, look between the toes and pads. They may have a hot spot there. I have also known of dogs that got them from a reaction to flea bites. Hot spots can happen very quickly. If you find your dog has one and it is caused by fleas, it is best not to apply a topical flea killer, like Advantage or Frontline unless you have been instructed to do so by your Vet. It states clearly on the label not to use on broken skin. You will need to seek the advise of the Vet as the best product to use to kill the fleas with an open wound present. Ok, back to the hot spot identification. Sorry I got off subject a moment. Hot spots are tricky. They can happen anywhere on the body, but the most common places are feet, back at the base of the tail and belly. BUT I have seen them on faces (other dogs licking an irritated spot), around the rectum, under armpits, under the tail, under collars and on the neck (not chewed on but scratched with toenails). So look them over carefully or watch and see what area they are working on. Dogs who have hot spots are often uncomfortable, panting and very distracted. They may be laying asleep and suddenly wake up to chew the area. Fleas also seem to like to frequent hot spots, maybe the skin is just softer there, who knows. A hot spot will be red, inflamed, hot to the touch, often moist(from the chewing and the lymph leaking from the wound)and elevated. If you have ever had an allergic reaction and gotten hives, this is very similar to what hot spots look like. They can be the size of a pea or huge, covering the entire belly or back. At times it is difficult to see the skin, that is where observing your dog comes in. We had a German Shepherd come into the clinic with a huge hot spot, it's entire back end from rib cage to thighs were affected. The dog was white with a dense coat. You could see the red inflamation under the coat, but the maggots disappeared in the dogs white coat. But when you got him in a quite place, you could hear them. It was creepy. Please understand this was a severe case, but it does happen. Be especially careful in hot, humid summers. A hot spot can appear in just hours. Flies are attracted to an open wound leaking lymph and in 24 hours their eggs can begin to hatch. PLEASE if you ever see maggots on your animals PLEASE PLEASE see the Vet. Maggots are nasty and will not just eat the damaged tissue. They can and will burrow into healthy tissue. Years and years ago, someone brought me a puppy that had been doused in soda. It had been dumped and was too young to be away from it's mother. In it's weakened state and with the soda, the maggots really worked him over. They had burrowed a hole next to the rectum. Luckly, they had not gotten through to the intestines and we were able to save him. It is very very difficult to remove maggots once they have entered the body cavity. I hope this info helps. Thanks! Susan

You can experiment with different kinds of shellac---the different kinds have different colors. I included a list---it has pricing from the distributor---I have no affiliation with this company---it is just the most comprehensive list I have found. Here is a link that might be useful: Shellac types