How They're Making Grass Greener Mow you see it, now you don't. It pops up mysteriously, does a man-size job, disappears out of sight. What is it? An underground springer, and it's making the grass greener on both sides of fences all across the country. Once limited -- by cost -- to golf courses, institutions and mansions, underground lawn sprinkling systems are, thanks to the advent of plastic pipe, available to fit the budget of virtually every homeowner. Whal does "fit the budget" actually mean in terms of cost? Here are figures from one manufacturer: Materials for covering a lawn of approximately 5,000 square feet with a fully automated system cost about $170. This includes pipe, valves, sprinkler heads and automatic control unit. To cover an area of about 8,000 square feet, cost is approximately $200. Improved design of systems and efficient, low-cost components even make it possible for the homeowner to install his own system. The budget-minded homeowner can start with a wave sprinkler and a manual control. Then, at his convenience, he may add a controller that completely automates the system and runs up to four watering stations. The completed system could include sprays and bubblers foi plantings and shrubbery as well as pop-up or wave sprinklers. The installation of a basic sprinkler system can be done with only the simplest of tools: screwdriver, pliers-, knife and square-tipped spade. Because the plastic pipe used in hooking up the Season's Woods Warm and Pretty When you shop for furniture this season you'll find a wonderful surprise. Pecan has invaded the entire industry. It is found in every style and eveTry line. The warm honey tone as well as in the soft muted tones of the wood have been used extensively. Because pecan is a very hard wood, craftsmen have had to use specially made cutting tools. Pecan, like oak, will be with us for a long time, so it is a very good investment. Also in the warm tones is Persian walnut with its "gold" pattern panels. And, homemakers will also discover a continued use of maple, cherry, birch and mahogany espe- • cially in the Early American, Early English and Colonial. When Should Trees Be Planted Plant in spring or fall. Spring planting may be started as soon as the frost leaves the ground. When possible, the tree should be planted before they leaf out; however, they can be successfully planted when the leaves are half developed if care is taken to prevent them from becoming wind burned when transported. Fall planting starts when the leaves have dropped and continues until the ground freezes. sprinkling systems is fireproof, it need only beburied a few inches below the sod, out of the way of mowing equipment. Since it is flexible, it will easily bend' around obstructions and curves. It can be quickly buried by simply slitting moistened soil with a square-tipped spade, then forcing the pipe down into the v-shaped groove with the edge of a board. The installation of the sprinkler head will vary with the type of head used. Usually, it is placed in a hole deep enough to accommodate several inches of coarse gravel for drainage. If he wishes, the homeowner can install the underground sprinkler heads, and then connect them directly to an existing house faucet, so they can be turned on and off manually. Later, the system can be automated, if desired. Clean water at adequate pressure is important to the satisfactory performance of any automatic sprinkler system. Before beginning installation, the homeowner should check with the water department to determine 4 STATION AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER . OARAGE RESIDENCE YARD PLAN FOR A COMPLETE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, illustrated here, uses pop-up sprinklers and provides for sprinkling under low trees and overhanging shrubbery. Plan reflects an actual surveyed yard, 4,725 square feet, with underground sprinkler system at a materials cost of $159.95. It's one of more than 40 plans set forth in the Yard Planning Guide prepared by Toro, marketers of Moist O'Matic sprinkler systems. what water pressure and gallons per minute are available at the home. Check size of meter and line, too. Five gallons per minute at 55 pounds per square inch will insure good performance and coverage with the least amount of sprinklers and equipment. To simplify the job of planning a home sprinkling system, a handy "Yard Planning Guide" has been published by Toro. It contains over 40 different plot plans and suggests a system for each. The plans include a list of materials required, as well as the total cost of all parts needed. "Yard Planning Guide" may be obtained through local Toro dealers or by sending 25 cents to: Yard Planning Guide, Toro Manufacturing Corporation, 8111 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn. 55420. Moms Want % Mudroom A mudroom is one of the, most-wanted home additions, especially among homemakers with small children, according to a survey reported by the Plumbing- Heating-Cooling Information Bureau. Chief purpose of the mudroom is,"to trap mud, snow and other dirt before it gets into the living area. It does so by changing the traffic pattern into the house. The well-equipped mudroom should have a water closet, a sink with hot and cold water, a drinking fountain, a place to hang clothes and a work counter where flowers' can be arranged and vegetables fresh from the garden can be washed. This means that the mudroom is not only a place to shed damp boots and clothes before entering another part of the house, it's also ideal for children to use while playing or gardeners while working in the yard. Ideal place for a mudroom is just off the kitchen. Other good spots are the garage or the laundry room, if it has an outside entrance. In any of these locations, a mudroom adds up to convenience for the family. Most failures result from lack of effort, not ability. YOU PAY NO MORE FOR QUALITY 5,000 sq. ft. Lawn Food Reg. 4.19 $299 WEED and FEED $079 Reg. 4.59 T J Scotts Prevent crabgrass & fertilize - Halts Plus SAVE up to $2 per bag Greenfield FREE 1 lb. Grass Seed w / Purchase of any size Trebl or large bag of Green Power. Nineteen out of the world's last 20 civilizations have fallen into decay, because of alcoholism, materialism, atheism, and/or socialism. How many of these sound familiar?? ACE HARDWARE STORE 3729 West Elm St. Ph. 385-0722 McHenry, IK.. i : i i ( J j /. T/'r'