iowaboy ... I was cutting grass under moderate / light load. I've since re-tested the 10323 with stock jets ... 1999 10323 "E" Duraforce ... burned 12 oz of gas in 38.67 min - 0.31 oz/min ** Correction to previous 10323 test ... carb had a #67 drilled main jet & #78 drilled pilot jet. Note that this later test was done starting out with a drained fuel bowl AND tank before adding 12 oz of gas. I first added just a few oz. of gas to see how well it ran ... it ran good so I cut grass until it died. Then added my 12 oz. and ran the test on an already warmed up engine (figure warm-up time it another variable that should be eliminated for fair comparision). Realizing my first 10323 & 10424 tests may or may not have had gas in the carb fuel bowl, I re-tested the jetted 10424 just as I did the 10323. 2003 10424 "E" Duraforce ... burned 12 oz gas in 24.2 min. - 0.49 oz/min (#68 drilled main jet & "40" Suzuki Pilot Jet) This was a 19.5% increase of fuel useage ... empty vs. possibly full fuel bowl plus grass cutting load was more moderate even sometimes heavy this time. What is amazing is the comparison between these two latest tests ... stock 10323 @ 0.31 oz. / min. vs. jetted 10424 @ 0.49 oz. / min. ... a wopping 58% difference !! You also got to figure the 10323 has a drive load on it (including added higher speed 10550 gears) and the 10424 does not. The jetting on the 10424 is the absolute minimum (next larger drill size on main jet and "40" Suzuki jet is slightly smaller than the next larger #78 drill size). Also the 10323 has a lot more hours on it, but always ran perfect without even a hint of surging before jetting. The 10424 surged real bad when new and is only on it's 2nd mowing season ... rotated with my other mowers so you might say it is hardly even broken in. Next week I'll re-jet the 10323 so it is identical to the 10424 (1st test it was actually jetted one size richer on both main & pilot) to see how jetting really affects this mower. 7024 & 10301 had been run dry prior to my tests (7024 is retired and gets used only a few times a season / the 10301 still has the snail-speed gears in it so I don't really enjoy using it) so the only diffence in their tests and these new tests would be running time from a "cold start". Doug

I'm not really worried about the expense. I feel it's worth it and I don't believe it will be all that much. The largest expense will be for the posts and there is a building salvage yard in our area. As far as the way it looks, I feel it will look just fine. A practical solution to a really bothersome problem. softmentor, thank you for the info on the pool netting. I'll look into it. What I've been considering is either aviary wire or galvanized hardware cloth. I've used both materials when I had outdoor aviaries. I used to breed budgerigars. Most people call them parakeets. I've used mostly 1/2 inch aviary wire. It lasted for years, I can't really remember how long. It's been a long time. They now make it in a plastic coated version that is supposed to to be impervious to weather. The galvanized hardware cloth is sturdier, stronger, more ridged. As I envision it, I see tall (12 foot) posts covered with netting or wire on all sides and on top with a large door for access. I will need to seal the bottom against small animals. I will pre-run water piping to the area. I intend to plant my trees in two or three tree clusters, planting each tree in the cluster 12 to 18 inches apart. This way I maximize the number of trees I can place in any given area and polinization is improved. I know this works because I have been planting this way for the last 18 years. Small fruits can go along the sides. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions to improve my ideas, I would really enjoy it if you would join this discussion. Thank you all. Carole

Have only had a few as houseplants, but they like bright light to get the best coloring and will go all green in poor light. I don't know how much sun it will take outdoors, but will definitely like your humidity! Pinching out tips once in a while helps keep plants bushy and full. Minimum temps for growth in winter 55F....take cuttings in spring or summer. More info.... Here is a link that might be useful: Hypoestes

After reading through all these comments, I was concerned about the quality of SH. I looked up the spec sheet on the faucet I am interested in buying and it has the following certifications: cUPC ASME A11.18.1 NSF/ANS I61 NSF/ANSI 372 ICC/ANSI A117.1 This covers, among other things: lead free, safe for drinking, supply fittings. In fact, they address lead free specifically in their FAQs: " All Signature Hardware kitchen and bathroom sink faucets are compliant with lead regulations determined by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This includes NSF/ANSI 61 (to meet North American drinking water standards) as well as AB1953 (to meet California drinking water standards). They are safe to use, as required by law, and undergo a rigorous testing and inspection process before being authorized for sale. We are also proud to stand behind our products with our warranty. " And their faucets have a 25 year warranty. I couldn't find anything about where they manufacture, but even if assembled here, I'm sure there are parts that come from China. You'll be hard pressed to find an all American made & assembled product of any sort. Many of the concerning posts were from years past so it looks like SH has made improvements since then. I will go ahead with my plan to purchase faucets for my kitchen reno. Fingers crossed!