Marshall, most of what you stated is true - but is only a small part of the picture. I do send samples off for analysis as far from Texas as Oregon - because I know how to corelate the information resulting from my sample to my 'little piece of earth' (or compost). And I desire the highest quality results - be it nutrition, condition/texture or microbe population count - for the same dollar. Yes, different test methods produce different results (identified at the bottom of most test reports). Test results can still be correlated to a different type of test result. Still 'apples to apples'. Still only a matter of education based on a person's degree of interest. This thread subject is important, in my opinion, simply because education is important. We should never stop asking questions, to learn more about improving our own piece of earth, for which we have accepted responsibility. In the main, soil tests ARE 'sacred' to state-run soil laboratories and to the thousands of U.S. county agricultural extension agents who are continuously called upon to render professional services to the commercial harvest business community - based on such science-based tests. Your grocery store depends on them. See, it is still "all about the money". Most plant/soil related research is focused toward, and paid for by commercial agriculture and the companies that support that industry, which feeds our growing population. So I think that tests based on regional soil conditions is a good thing - but tests should be also be sufficiently complete to offer insight into specific planting needs in MY piece of earth - which anyone can easily learn to do by reading. Finding the best test is important to me. Unfortunately, most people who receive soil analysis reports are not also told that they can take that report to their county agricultural extension agent for interpretation to their specific needs. Agreed, the resulting written piece of paper is worthless without knowing how to apply the information. But the public service Ag.Agent is trained in how to do that (and local Master Gardeners). Anyone can research what the relationship of CA is to MG based on given factors. Education IS the Agent's primary focus (and the state land-grant university that supports them), even to the homeowner - which is why the Master Gardener program is supported. Granted, home-style agriculture/horticulture does not usually operate on commercial scale. But science-based soil information is not usually about 'scale'. Scale is a matter of applied mechanics based on time and money. As a soilmaker/nurseryman/landscaper in south central Florida many years ago, I learned (the hard way) to find out what the soil conditions were (in advance) and to ensure proper plant-specific moisture, before installing a variety of plants in someone's property - particularly gardens, shrubs and trees (soil test for nutrients/pH/salt is only part of that gamut). Some of my Florida client's soils received different amendments before certain plantings took place because different plants do have different needs - to thrive (not just survive). Replacing dead plants cost me money, and was bad for my business. Soil tests were simply one means by which I made decisions that SAVED me (and the property owner) time/money. Learning to decipher soil analysis results is not difficult, but is (unfortunately) one of the things many gardeners are reticent to investigate, even after problems are encountered. An ounce of prevention is STILL worth a 'pound of cure', and having a base of reference on which to make improvements to soil (and compost) - is important to me, in what I do. And agree that 'organics' still takes a 'back seat' to the chemical industry - regretably. But that 'world view' is changing...Slowly, but surely - because that's about human survival on this planet. Robert

"Consider the risk, what if you close and then can't install a septic tank on your property?" Here's your risk: Pretty much your only options for use of your 8 acres if it won't perc are hunting, recreation, farming, & livestock. Around here, that reduces the value of the property by at least half and even at that price point the potential buyers are VERY few & far between. Are you in a position to take that kind of loss in terms of money & time to find a buyer? Don't assume "There's 8 acres of land so it has to perc somewhere, right?" So not true. Take it from someone who has been in a similar situation: 30 acre tract with only 1 perc site. That was it--we tested the whole of the property. Even though we had the requisite perc site & it was a perfect spot for the homesite with amazing views, it still took 2.5 years to finally sell and at an overall loss. Your county/city/real estate agent/certified septic installer may not require a perc test, but better to protect yourself and your investment. The real estate agent & the septic installer (to a lesser extent as you could go with another septic guy) both have everything to gain and nothing to lose by your buying that 8 acres--do not delude yourself on this point. If the land doesn't perc or only percs in an area you find undesireable to build on, the county/city/real estate agent/certified septic installer won't be refunding your money or buying the property back from you. As far as the certified septic installer goes, I would not go by his word alone unless he is a certified SOIL SCIENTIST (ask for a copy of his seal or certificate) or from the County Health Department Septic Division AND they did the required testing/took core samples and are ready to certify the results. Otherwise there's a potential '*' by his statement of "Yeah I can put a septic system in here..." The '*' being "...as long as the county tests the soil & certifies it as suitable for a conventional septic system." OR "...as long as it's a spray system because your soil is not suitable for anything else--did I mention the bug problem induced by spray systems?" Lastly, just a couple questions: how long has the property been on the market? A long time may indicate a problem either with percing, the neighbors, feasibility of getting utilities to the property, flood plains and/or future development plans on file downtown that may not be widely publicized at the moment and not required to be disclosed by the seller as they're a matter of public record (don't want a 6 lane highway cutting across the front lawn of your dream home 10 years down the road or an airport runway 100 yards from your property line with a flight path right over your house for takeoff/landing--I'm not kidding, it happens). Have you checked with your county health department to see if a perc test has already been done on the property at some time in the past? Soil doesn't usually improve over time so taking a trip down there may be helpful. Have you talked to the neighbors in the area and asked questions about percability of their soil, their septic experiences, and while you're asking--any issues with the water (pH, iron, nitrates, sulfur, having to drill wells deeper than 500 ft as a general rule to even hit water, gallons per minute of water flow into well, etc). Just my 2 cents. Good luck & keep us posted!

"The teachers I heard complaining in various venues were not special ed teachers. The tone of voice was bitter, there was much eye-rolling, and there was the suspicion of parents manipulating the system." I saw a lot of that when I sought help for my older son, who was gifted in addition to struggling with dyslexia and ADHD. There was a widespread perception that I just wanted special treatment for him, when all I really wanted was for the school to help him learn to read! (Why was I the only one who thought having a GT kid in the lowest reading group signaled a possible LD?) Meh. They wouldn't do a thing for him... Never did. I also see some evidence of bitterness / resentment in the regular ed. teachers when they are forced to include my younger son, who has clear disabilities and some degree of cognitive impairment. But I have to see their side of it -- they've got 30 kids to teach and mine takes a lot of extra effort for a smaller reward... Most of his classes are 'co-teach', meaning there are two teachers, one of whom is a dedicated Special Ed. teacher who modifies the content for the Sp. Ed. kids. But where it's a one-teacher class, my kid suffers, and the teacher does too. No easy answers to that one, though...

I have to agree with others who think you're better off without the drugs. Of course, if it was a blind study you may have been given the placebo instead of the actual drug--but then, you never know. I had to have a complete hysterectomy when I was 47 and the GYN immediately put me on Premarin. I ask him how long I'd have to take it and he told me all my life. I came home and read up on it (before Google made life so easy) and decided after a year of worrying about it, I'd wean myself off it. Yes, I had hot flashes, but I had them with the Premarin, too. I took a low dose because the larger dose gave me "morning sickness" symptoms. Ick! I have to admit I have a big aversion to drugs. I think they more or less randomly give you a pill for just about anything these days. Our body's know what they're doing, most of the time, anyway.