August 2003

In this issue:

Let Peterson's help you keep your lawn and garden a Summertime Showplace.

A Look Back: Harvesting Grain

Value Bin

So much to do, so little summer!
There’s still time to make the most of your outdoor living space this
summer with a little help from Peterson's Country Mill, where you’ll find everything you need to keep your lawn, garden, swimming pool and pond looking spectacular.

Lawn and garden care: grass seed, fertilizer, soil, shrubbery, mulch
Still dreaming of that picture-perfect landscape? Why dream when you can make it happen? Late summer, when flowers and foliage have reached their peak, is an excellent time to add finishing touches and improvements to your lawn and garden projects.

Retaining walls,
stepping-stones and
lawn edgers
Your home will be a castle when you surround it with majestic walls and stone trimmings from Interlock and other quality producers. Ask our specialists for ideas specific to your landscaping challenge.

Water clarifiers for ponds and swimming pools
Peterson’s can help you keep your pool or pond sparkling clear. Choose from a variety of effective products, from environmentally friendly enzymes to time-released tablets.

Yard tools and equipment: thatchers, spreaders, aerators, rakes and more
Peterson’s has the tools that tackle the tough lawn and garden jobs. Check out our extensive supply of walk-behind and tow-behind equipment by AgriFab and other quality manufacturers for use with smaller-size farm or lawn tractors.

Breathtaking garden bulbs…
Peterson’s perennial bulb collection is better than ever this year. Fill your
garden this fall with a colorful selection of Peterson’s favorite spring bulbs. You’ll
want to check out our exciting new varieties, too!

A Look Back: Harvesting Grain
One in a series of vignettes about the
history surrounding Peterson’s Country Mill.
The process of separating grain from straw with a flail (a piece of wood, 2 ft. x 2 in., attached with leather straps to another piece of wood, 3 1/2 ft. x 2 in.) and winnowing (tossing both grain and straw into the air and letting the wind blow the straw away) was backbreaking work. A man could hope only to collect five to seven bushels of wheat a day with this method.
In 1830, Hiram and John Pitts of Winthrop, Maine, built the threshing machine. This invention made harvesting grain much easier. Though without wheels and much smaller than the subsequent versions, it marked the end of the flail and the beginning of an era that is well remembered and continues to be reenacted today.
Threshing was dusty and heavy work, and the steam traction engine seemed to crawl at a snail’s pace, but the sight of the threshing rig coming down the road was always greeted with enthusiasm. Many neighbors would gather together to help one another, combining their horse teams and wagons. These threshing crews worked from farm to farm while the rest of the families prepared an enormous feast to celebrate a job well done.
The spirit of these times can still be shared at the Threshing Show, August 8-10, in Almelund, located East of North Branch on Hwy. 95

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Fall's ahead! Clean up on savings and great everyday values at Peterson's.

10% OFF!
On select Jersey Gloves from now through August.

10% OFF!
On select horse grooming products from now through August.

Stock Up!
On canning supplies for your harvest season.

10% OFF!
On all lawn and leaf bags from now through August

10% OFF!
On all Carhart Jeans from now through August.

Back to School!
Bring them back to school in comfort with durable Carhart Jeans. Peterson's carries a wide variety of Carhart Jeans from relaxed fit and Western to work and boot cut styles.

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All About Stalls…
Hold your horses? Sure, but there’s more to choosing the right stall than you might think.
Peterson’s features Behlen stalls for every occasion, from easy-to-adjust modular stall systems to completely portable stalls for competitions and shows. Each Behlen quality stall features a 4’ sliding doors and 2’ feeder doors that swing out for easy access. The panels are finished with a premium polyester baked-on powder coating. Talk to Peterson’s horse care specialists to determine the stall configuration for your barn or exhibit space.

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Peterson’s carries kennels, too…
In addition to our wide assortment of Behlen quality horse stalls, Peterson’s offers a popular variety of Behlen dog kennels, which come pre-assembled and may be expanded as needed. Behlen dog kennels are made of poly-coated steel and have a two-year limited warranty.

Exhibit at Peterson’s Garden Gallery
Look forward to Peterson’s Garden Gallery! From June through August, Peterson’s will display images of your pond, gardening or landscaping talent within the store and on the Web at www.petersonscountrymill.com. Simply bring in a 4 in. x 6 in. or larger photo along with the title of your masterpiece and your name and address so that we may return it to you at the end of the season. As a token of our appreciation, exhibitors will also receive a discount certificate to apply toward their next purchase.

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Create Your Own
Wildlife Food Plot
Food plots can be essential to wildlife survival, especially where farm and grazing lands are scarce. This forage land varies in size and is often located within a woodland clearing. Smaller plots of one or two acres are best for viewing wildlife. Wild animals feel safer in smaller plots that are close to tree cover, and will venture out to feed more readily during the day. Depending on the deer population, however, a larger food plot may provide more adequate nutrition. Peterson’s Country Mill carries an assortment of forage grasses and seed mixtures designed specifically for wildlife. In addition, we carry fertilizers, soil tests and additives to care for feed plots before and after planting. If you would like more information on planning and growing a wildlife plot, visit Peterson’s on Tuesday, August 5, at
6:30 p.m. when Rod Ellwanger of Deer Creek Seed Inc. will share insights on how to create a successful wildlife food plot.

FAQs on Controlling Gophers

Q
Can you help me? My lawn is being taken over by gophers. It seems that I can’t trap them quickly enough. I’ve considered
poison, but I worry about pets and livestock. Is there something out there that I haven’t tried?
A
Gopher Getter is a patented and proven way to get rid
of gophers under the ground. The Gopher Getter is driven into the gopher’s runway where it releases pellet bait, well out
of the reach of harmless birds and pets.

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Join our Focus Group

Peterson’s Country Mill is looking for a few neighborly friends to help us plan and promote upcoming exhibits, displays and events. The primary objective of this group is to gain insight into the wants, needs and interests of our community and clientele. We ask that our focus-group volunteers come prepared to share ideas, memories and opinions while having a good time at our monthly meetings. We’re looking for a variety of people to join us; people who are new to the community as well as long-time residents. This is a great way to get in touch with your creative side while you collaborate with colleagues and friends. We promise to keep topics light, cups filled and meetings brief. If you would like to know more about joining Peterson’s focus group, please complete the information and check the appropriate box on the subscription form below. Bring the form with you on your next visit to the Mill, or e-mail us at info@pnbmill.com

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August - October

Peterson's Garden Gallery
on display at Peterson's Country Mill.

Wildlife Plot Seminar
by Rod Ellwanger, Deer Creek Seed Peterson's Garden Center Tuesday, August 5, 6:30 p.m.

October
Peterson's Fall Tack Swap
Look forward to the next issue of "Peterson's Country Mill" newsletter for further details.