"I have a yard that has a fairly constant 10 percent slope. This tractor cannot make half its flat-ground speed going up hill. Plenty of horsepower, but excessive transaxle slippage in the Tuff Torq 46 hydrostatic axle. After pulling a 42 inch lawn sweeper for roughly one hour the tractor would not back-up due to trans slippage - which I assume was due to the thinning of the 10W-30 engine oil used in the axle. After the tractor sits for an hour or so it goes again." Sounds like whomever has this tractor got a "bad" k46 tranny. I would have exchanged it under warranty. 10% grade is 5.7 degrees. The slope in my back yard is more like 20%, and I not only maintain speed riding up it.... with the plug-aerator engaged, with 200 lbs on it to boot, I get up the hill - slower but not dead slow. And I can aerate for 2 hours and there is no sign of slow-down. Pulling the sweeper for an hour is basically zero stress in relative terms. Having said that, with sears using K46's, the have eliminated a big discriminator between these brands. Good for them (Sears that is).

Roses that don't smell like roses..it's just SUCH a disappointment when leaning down, taking a deep breath.....and...nothing. I would wave that magic wand across all roses and restore them to their natural state of fragrance. I was tempted to say make 'em disease-free, but that's just too obvious ;> And for my question: I grow my roses in containers, and would like to add a companion plant to the container. This companion need not "do" anything, like have bug or disease repelling properties (but wouldn't hurt!) It can just look pretty...something that won't clash in growing habit or compete for habitat. What have others have had success with?

Smoky Mountain Autumn was one I got last spring and hope to see it bloom this year. I think your are right about it not being a great performer. I think I have two scapes and the same spindly two fans that I bought last year. But your picture gives me hope:) Vickie

Beverly-thanks for the information on H. cathayana. I am going to have to go out and do some checking. The plants I am talking about were given to Les by a neighbor who was moving. He'd gotten his from his mother who "had tons and tons of them. I remember when he'd brought them home and planted them. His suv was loaded and he had enough to plant around his house, both sides of his front walkway and one side of his driveway. He said it didn't even put a dent in what his Mom had. That sure sounds like it could be a prolific seeder, doesn't it. Les did an NOID inquiry here on HF and the assumption was that it was Lancifolia. But that was before we have gained experience with it. Several times in the past year I have posted here regarding groupings of Albomarginata and what I'd believed to be Lancifolia for their abundant flowers. Around here there are the GrW and the Gr hostas everywhere and the Gr seems the same as what I have. I will start a new post regarding the history of H. cathayana. It seems 'time for the tape and camera'. Theresa This post was edited by gogirlterri on Mon, Jul 29, 13 at 7:51