Trancegemini & Squeeze- Thanks for your opinions. The reason I haven't responded earlier is that I've been doing a LOT of thinking & research into some of your ideas. 1. For one, I'm really considering getting the vermiculite out of the equation primarily because I see it breaking down in my existing raised beds. Cost is also another consideration, thus sand as a possible substitute albeit very little water holding capacity. 2. Weeds. Still concerned about weed seed... in a big way. I hear your recommendations on mulching etc and certainly intend to incorporate it in some manner (maybe plastic sheet or maybe just straw/hay/leaves etc... remember this is a commercial application that needs to be able to be repeated). That being said, if I could "eliminate" or at a minimum reduce mulching & weeding requirements it will save labor in the end, ultimately I believe reducing cost. This is an intensive farming operation with most crops grown on 6, 9, or 12" centers, so I'm thinking that once all the annuals get up and running the shade itself will reduce my weed potential problems. The sand I have access to (my sand) is going to have all kinds of grass seed (bermuda +) and roots in it that will be a major problem. I've already experienced that in my 1st beds done with sand. That being said, part of that problem could have been not using the landscape fabric under the beds. This stuff will actually shoot up through 16" plus. So, bottom line is I don't have what I consider to be a very good option that I can get for free. 3. Topsoil. I looked hot and heavy for topsoil sources. Bagged stuff listed as topsoil probably isn't top soil anyway and the bags I broke open (various types)don't seem like they could be any better than anything I could mix myself. The one benefit to them is that they PROBABLY don't have any viable weed seed in them. Another downside is that there is no telling what kind of pesticides may be incorporated into it. 4. Bulk topsoil. So, I started looking into bulk topsoil. There's actually a sand mine about 30 minutes away and I called them to inquire about topsoil and they do sell it. It's reasonable to assume that it is "true" top soil and I got excited when they gave me pricing. After I slept on it I started thinking weed seed again, and there is nothing that they do to sterilize the product to eliminate the weed seed, so, I'm back to square one with the top soil. Even looked at trying to find possible sources of kilns to heat it up to kill the seed to no avail. 4. Worm Castings. Contacted a company that sells bulk worm castings, and yes, there is a HUGE ouch factor to try to replace regular compost with the worm castings. Doesn't seem feasible to me monetarily. So, in discussing with him he mentioned that he had done some work with a relatively local municipality on composting (not worm) and suggested I contact them and see if they are still selling compost. I did, and they are. He said it should be good stuff and mentioned a sovita test that they should have the numbers on for their product. He said weed seeds should NOT be a problem with their compost. He recommended possibly using ONLY compost for my base medium (forget peat and vermiculite and I suppose sand) then incorporating the vermicompost at a 20% rate on top of that. Sounds possible but still very expensive on the vermicasting side of things. But all in all possibilities. Waiting on a call from the municipality to get the sovita test score and to find out additional info regarding the ingredients of the compost etc. My biggest concern about it right now is chemicals/pesticides that could be contained in it, assuming they use things like grass clippings and leaves etc. We'll see. If that doesn't turn out to be an option, I'm at a loss on the whole compost thing until I can get something relative large scale going myself. 5. Blend. So, now I'm thinking I'll use a Peat moss, coarse sand, and compost blend with the vermicompost in lesser quantities than a full replacement for the compost. Not sure of quantites yet. Not sure of a good source for coarse sharp sand in bulk quantities that has no salt content. Bottom line is this "mix" should be much better than anything I could purchase of the shelf and I know what I'm putting in it. It gives me a starting point that I can continue to build on organically with manure/compost/greensand/dolomitic lime/blood meal (probably/maybe/still a little scarey)/rock phosphate etc. Anyway, I know this is not quite where you were trying to get me to, but your help is certainly appreciated and has been incorporated into my thought process. I thought long and hard about using my existing soil, but just can't rationalize it for what I'm attempting to accomplish. Thanks! Eddie

there is 3 ways to do what you want. Dhtml, Java scripts, and plain old gif animations. See some text animation DHTML here. Dynamic Drive Java Scripts you can look at here. A1 Java scripts As for gif animations, the problem with them is the large file sizes. They can be made with programs like Paint Shop Pro's Animation Shop, but it will take a while to do this as each movement of the text you will have to change the picture and save each change as a new copy of the text picture. Then you use animation Shop to make the ani. Hope this helps JamesS

Just listened to a piece on NPR this morning in which it was mentioned that there are still shelters that sell dogs and cats to research facilities. The practice is called pound seizure. They only keep the strays for the requisite 5 days, so if you don't get there in time, you are out of luck. I think they said only 17 states outlaw the practice. Maybe we should all check with our local shelters and ask if they do this. One person on the show said she got such an evasive answer that she knew her shelter followed that practice. Depending on what you find out, you could also organize to have the laws in your state changed. I will link a website I found and here is what it said about Virginia laws. The first part worried me, but the second part appears to ban pound seizure. "� 3.2-6547. Acceptance of animals for research or experimentation; prohibition No person shall use or accept for the purpose of medical research or experimentation any animal bearing a tag, license, or tattooed identification, unless the individual who owns such animal consents thereto in writing. � 3.2-6557. Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties A. No animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society or custodian of any pound or animal shelter shall: (i) obtain the release or transfer of an animal by the animal's owner to such animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society or custodian for personal gain; or (ii) give or sell or negotiate for the gift or sale to any individual, pet shop, dealer, or research facility of any animal that may come into his custody in the course of carrying out his official assignments. No animal control officer, humane investigator or custodian of any pound or animal shelter shall be granted a dealer's license. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall preclude any animal control officer or humane investigator from lawfully impounding any animal pursuant to � 3.2-6569. " Here is a link that might be useful: pound seizure by state

All large farms do not raise their animals inhumaely. many are responsible caretakers. The scale required to raise enuff animals to feed the country and to export to others is by necessity large, especially because we want our food at the lowest costs possible. What makes an animal happy and content is not the same as the human requirement. An animal with a full belly and adequate housing is a happy animal. There are many avenues of better food, if you are in a rural area there is a possibility of buying from a local producer where you can see the way the animals are kept. Even if you are in or near a city there is access to local food, you just need to do a bit of research on that. How bout this PETA stunt: they call the owner of a rabbitry inquiring about the animals as if they might be interested in purchasing. Once they get to the farm they begin with small talk about rabbits but before long the owner of the rabbitry realizes the real reason of the visit when the peta members begin to make disparaging remarks. The owner asks them to leave but they persist and a slight physical altercation ensues, the police are called, etc., etc. several days go by until the rabbitry owner sees the same car parked down the road, he goes to his barn and discovers the peta terrorists stuffing rabbits into boxes which they plan to release into the wood; surely a death sentence to them all. the rabbit owner is an expert at martial arts and subdues the attackers, police come and arrest the PETA creeps. There are more similar horror stories. Man evolved eating meat, animals evolved to serve mans needs. Nothing wrong with that but some responsibility is required on the part of man to give proper care to his charges. Most do so. Its not fair to judge an entire industry on a few bad examples.