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Hands Club. Come Judging time, that savvy might main all the difference At the McHenry County Fair, vegetables are presented on a flat surface such as a placemat or shallow basket. Arrangement is a factor, especially downstate in Spr­ ingfield. Linda says she usually organises the vegetables by color, but judges arent suckers for s pretty face. Vegetables must be free from blemishes and insect marks. Cabbages must not be split or lopsided. The humps on the bottom of the five required peppers must match. If continued on pag« 50 In February she already was deckling what to plant When the ground thawed her father plowed her corner of the Ainger*s in acres and she cultivated it. This loosened up the soil and prepared it for hoeing. Linda plants the sssds one at a time. When you sprinkle them, they have to be thinned out, she warns. Planting tiny lettuce seeds is a bother, but she is convinced "it takes lees work in the long run." Radishes are the first to sprout, then onions. Beans follow in about three weeks. Unda admits she's in no hurry to begin pull­ ing weeds, especially when a young shoot of parsley might be mistaken for one. "Every year I want to make sure," she says with a smile. "I dont want to kill anything." Each year is a learning experience. For example, radishes should be picked when they're an inch in diameter. Those wishing to get more for their money will wind up with woody roots. If the tops el potatoes or carrots become exposed they should be covered with soil to prevent "sunburning," which will turn them light green. But that's the color you want for celery, so tie newspaper loosely around the plant's base. It acts to blanch the stalks as well as prevent them from branching out. Through past fairs and discussions with other 4-H'ers, Linda has accumulated a lot of tips. That experience has earned her the distinction of junior leader for gardening -- a resident expert in the Hebron Helping continued from pegs 48 ds is reluctant to pick a dear-cut favorite, but her work speaks tor itself. True, she has been involved with sheep for six years and is now shepherd over a loyal flock of 10. But her garden stands apart. Linda has an older brother and sister in 4- H, but they did other things. She alone in­ herited her grandmother's art She has a feel for plants, for the soil Ainger weeds by hand. She inherited the garden and has watched it expand. Advice from veteran green- thumbs has helped her projects become more competitive. This year she added celery and kohlrabies to the 15 existing varieties. During the peak growing period, Linda averages an hour a day weeding and watering. DON T SETTLE FOR SNO-CONES AND COTTON CANDY... ON THE WAY TO THE FAIR, STOP AT For Authentic Mexican Food WE FEATURE: COMBINATION PLATES • ENCHILADAS - STEAKS TACOS - CHIMICHANGA A MORE - PLUS - DRAFT BEER • 5 IMPORTED BEERS OUR FAMOUS MARGARITAS - SANGRIA AND PINA COLADAS EINM6AM 11i Jtt Strut - Woodstock Abo in Crystal Lake, E. Dundee A Rock ford .̂ 5* v^Mclicnry County Citizenslose 150 POUNDS WITH NUTRI/SYSTEMS YOU CAN LOSE UP TO A POUND A DAY. AND NOT GAIN IT BACK! rOf 0 ilMN Time •nroHtoms itum/system proorom tor 14 off 1tw price of llit program. Present itw coupon at if* Crystal lake Nutri/SyMm Weigh! Lost Madcai Cantor and we'll OfOUCT HAtf Of THf ma fSOM YOUR PROGRAM Q«ar «M for na* :ustomors onty One coupon m 'usiornar Ee»roaM3 8? awBC-uwmMMiMi* People &. projects Shew Media Group 1002 Fair Quids Page 40 .