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.�Editors�of�how�to�publications,�such�as�Popular�Mechanics,Page�343check�potential�how�to�articles�by�building�the�furniture�or�equipment�or�by�testing�repair�hints�in�labs�or�workshops�before�articles�are�published.There�are�thousands�of�how�to�articles�published�each�year.�Some�publications�exist�for�the�sole�purpose�of�publishing�how�to�service�articles.�Students�can�write�them�for�other�students.�These�are�good�"training�ground"�features,�in�fact.�An�example:�A�major�university's�student�employment�office�newsletter�recently�published�a�helpful�article�that�focused�on�controlling�stress.�Written�and�edited�by�undergraduates,�the�newsletter�often�uses�articles�of�this�type�to�help�student�employees�cope�with�life�on�campus�a�little�more�easily.�A�recent�article�discussed�stress�caused�by�exams,�term�papers,�campus�jobs,�and�other�conflicts.�The�article�gave�"helpful�hints"�from�experts�about�coping�at�the�end�of�a�semester.Columnist�Heloise daughter�of�the�original�Heloise offers�an�entire�column�based�on�helpful�hints�for�housekeeping�and�home�life�subjects.�Heloise�is�a�contributing�editor�columnist�for�Good�Housekeeping�and�her�long�running�national�King�Features�column�appears�in�500�newspapers.�The�column�is�a�Q�&�A�format�feature�that�solicits�questions�and�suggestions�or�tips�from�readers.�There�are�numerous�other�similar�columns�written�at�the�local�and�regional�and�national�levels�that�have�been�popular�with�newspaper�and�magazine�readers�for�generations.Scripps�Howard�News�Service�writer�Lindsay�Bond�Totten�recently�wrote�a�gardening�feature�that�was�published�in�newspapers�around�the�country�that�told�readers�how�to�add�berms�to�their�landscaped�yards.�The�article�explains�berms�and�how�to�develop�them:Berms�are�the�height�of�landscape�fashion.�When�well�done,�they�can�add�interest�and�relief�to�an�otherwise�flat�yard.�Many�gardeners�build�them�for�privacy.Berms�are�like�any�other�landscape�feature:�in�context�and�in�scale,�they�fit�the�landscape�like�a�glove.�Everywhere�else,�they�look�a�little�silly.To�get�a�feel�for�artistic�berming,�study�a�golf�course.�There�are�few�abrupt�bumps�or�artificial�looking�hills.�Notice�how�the�land�undulates,�as�if�the�contours�had�always�been�there.They�weren't.�When�a�golf�course�is�built,�the�land�is�sculpted�with�a�machine,�gently�rising�in�some�areas,�dipping�in�others,�to�make�the�berms�look�natural.�Gradual�changes�are�the�key�to�blending�berms�into�the�existing�topography.Page�344For�gardeners�with�sloping�properties�or�gentle�hills,�berms�are�a�natural�land�form.�Dirt�can�often�be�re�graded�to�accent�existing�slopes,�following�the�curves�of�the�land.Gardeners�with�flat�land�face�greater�challenges.�It's�very�difficult�to�make�berms�look�natural�when�the�surrounding�landscape�is�completely�flat.A�landscape�architect�or�landscape�designer�could�be�enlisted�to�help�with�the�grading.If�space�permits,�try�to�vary�the�height�of�the�berm.�Seldom�are�hills�without�some�changes�in�height�or�width.�The�sheer�symmetry�of�a�berm�can�give�it�away�by�making�it�look�contrived.Round�off�the�crest�of�a�berm�to�avoid�sharp�points�or�peaks.Gradually�feather�the�soil�into�the�existing�grade.�It�should�be�hard�to�tell�at�which�point�a�berm�begins�and�the�original�grade�ends.Use�landscaping�to�further�blur�the�line.�A�lawn�that�exactly�follows�the�toe�of�the�slope�(the�point�at�the�bottom�of�a�berm�that�meets�the�original�soil)�is�a�dead�giveaway.�Allow�the�lawn�to�cross�the�line�in�natural�"mowable"�curves.Berms�can�be�anywhere�from�several�inches�to�several�feet�in�height.�The�size�of�the�property�and�the�purpose�of�the�berm�will�help�establish�the�appropriate�scale.In�small�gardens,�keep�berms�generally�to�18�inches�high�or�less.�Build�the�berm�entirely�of�topsoil�18�inches�isn't�all�that�deep�and�amend�the�surface�for�planting.Higher�berms�often�contain�a�core�of�fill�dirt�or�rubble,�covered�with�18�inches�of�good�soil.�Expect�some�settling�as�the�topsoil�compacts�and�fills�the�cracks�between�the�chunks�of�rubble.Planting�the�berm�should�be�fun.�Some�helpful�hints:For�privacy�screening,�mix�fast�growing�shrubs�with�slower�growing�trees.�As�the�screen�fills�in,�consider�thinning�or�removing�some�of�the�plants.�A�tight�planting�will�someday�require�frequent�pruning.Avoid�planting�a�row�of�trees�or�shrubs�precisely�at�the�crest�of�the�berm.�Work�on�either�side�of�the�berm,�just�below�the�crest,�to�make�the�design�appear�more�natural.�Plant�in�groupings�rather�than�in�rows.Page�345Select�plants�that�are�relatively�drought�tolerant.�Berms�usually�drain�well�and�dry�out�quickly.�Or,�fit�the�mound�with�a�drip�irrigation�system [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]