Well, it seems like a lot, but only clout when it didn't work salt and spot treatment. I did much research, and apparently this caluflower growth is common, not sure if bacterial or viral (uk newsletter) but did have thin white thread from center, which another poster noted as well. They usually don't survive these growths, what ever they are, but he is ok... and it has not re-occured. I try not to use meds, but when desperate. Well, he is fine now... no new growth (knock on wood).. I agree, salt and easy does it.. but if parasitical then..... PS. at my local store, I noticed they come in medicated, water was blue. I didn't know this. I just got there one day when fish came in. I was pretty astounded at how rudely they were treated, after all they had just been through. Tossed, no regard at all. (They could use mild salt instead without as much harm during transport)... at mine they are pretty cruel... dump them in after washing them off in tap water rinse, no temp adjustment or anything! Just pour bag into net with fish, then rince off, like dishes. Then dump in tank. They have huge die offs. When they clean, they run a hose into tank and some guy who doesn't know squat, once had temp over 90 degrees. They scalded a poor Oscar. I have actually decided just tonight, that sans a good dealer and good water, (seems hard in NYC - best outer boroughs which is hard for me to get to) I will wind things down. I never had these problems when younger, never. I know the water is bad, is brown and have always used a shower filter, and age mine for aquariums in addition. I never drank the tap water, had it tested once and horrible.

Very interesting theory. I have never noticed any bags of water around restaurants, etc, but will keep an eye out. If it actually does work, it's certainly preferable to using pesticides willy-nilly. I'm not sure why the author of the article (Robert Lamb) thinks "clear" and "opaque" mean the same thing when they are exact opposites, but other than that, I found the studies he mentions intriguing. Just as an aside, I have tons of bees this year (for the first time in about 4 years), along with bumblebees, those bright green "sweat bees," and various wasps and things. None of them pay any attention to me at all when I'm working in the plants. I can put my hand right down into the bushes, even when there are dozens buzzing around. However, woe be unto me if I bump into an actual wasp nest. They will certainly come out prepared to do battle then, especially those little half inch long red wasps that make a nest only about 2" wide. They are the most aggressive of any of them, I think. I'm glad the bags worked for you, BL. Good luck. Marcia

I'd cut her some slack.. at least someone is picking the trash up. I have to admit that I'm the one on my block that picks most of the trash up within a few houses; even in front of others houses. Yesterday we were driving up the street & I saw a bottle I've been meaning to stop & pick up the next time I drove by it. The bottle is in front of a neighbors house & has been for the last week. My peeve is the people who obviously see the trash because they walk by it (it was right by their mailbox) but don't stop to pick it up. If I'm reading the 1st post right; the tree that the bag was in is one of yours? It's possible what she really wanted to say was why didn't you pick it up.. I'm just guessing by the things you wrote. Sounds like she was side-stepping actually coming out & saying it. As far as knocking on someone's door.. that's over the line; I would never do anything like that. I know that everyone has a life; heck with what I just went through; my snow should never have been shoveled; let alone worrying about garbage on my lawn & I don't doubt other neighbors can be in the same boat with busy lives or health issues I don't know about. If I choose to pick garbage up; I'm going to pick it up & get on my way. At least I can feel good that I did something to keep trash off of my street.

Yeah - these young bucks are inclined to put covers over the grills of their muscle cars to preserve the paint (and maybe to keep it from peeling off, considering the speed at which some of them drive) ... that they tend to call "bras" ... which leave room for the twin headlamps to shine through! While I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to getting off on bras ... ... you should see the unusual and innovative use of men's briefs that someone (was it Lindy Lou-who?) pictured over on "ole joyful's current dilemma" three or four days ago. My old computer is hugely slow (in addition to dialup) and I'm in a hurry, or I'd look up a link. Though I've seen quite a few things in life ... I'd never seen the like of that! It's about 3/4 of the way down a long thread - but you might find various other parts of it interesting (if not hugely instructive to the general public). Have yourselves a varied, and interesting summer weekend ... especially those of you Canadians who are celebrating Civic Holiday on Monday. ole joyful.