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The article focuses on Yan Zhang, the world's foremost Li textile warrior, and extended their skills to include spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery. It mentions weavers add narrow stripes in lighter colors for more interest and highly marketable craft of Li brocade as a means to reduce their poverty. It also mentions book "Li Textile Weaving Techniques" by Zhang on Li textile work.

Gary Shteyngart's article ('Thinking Outside the Bots') depressed me most of all the articles about the future. It celebrates robots using artificial intelligence--an oxymoron--to do all thinking and quotidian or [...]

The article focuses on weaving various kinds of fabrics, including plaids, checks and tartans. Topics covered include the materials used for weaving the fabrics, the weave structure for each fabric and guide on weaving tartans as indicated in the book "The Tartan Weaver's Guide," by James D. Scarlett.

My love of the outdoors, along with my scientific curiosity, can be traced back to my childhood adventures in the woods. The house I grew up in did not have [...]

Chickens bred for the meat industry are not stupid and nasty. These birds have been bred to be too heavy to run or fly, as their wild relatives do. This [...]

The article highlights different kinds of Euphorbias for the garden. The Euphorbiaceae family is composed of more than 300 wild and wonderful genera containing about 6,000 species and common characteristics of the group includes a milky white sap and minimalist flowers called cyathia. The Mediterranean spurge E. characias subsp. wulfenii features sulfur yellow inflorescences while the Euphorbia pulcherrima or poinsettia is the most known of the group.

The article discusses how to make big pruning cuts to clean up a landscape. According to the author, pruning is a necessity in gardens, because gardens by definition, are a product of the will of humans with contrived designs and allotted spaces. The author stresses that pruning keeps plants healthy by promoting good air circulation. INSETS: PRUNING FLOWERING SHRUBS;STAYING SHARP.

The article the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) at the North Carolina State University that offers identification and treatment options services to all residents of the state. It says that the experts of the PDIC can be contacted by farmers, nurserymen and homeowners if they want help in identifying and controlling plant pests and diseases. It mentions that fungal root rots are the most common disease being diagnosed in the clinic by PDIC director Barbara Shew.

The article offers winter container gardening tips. There are three principles to container planting, one of which is to fill pots with as many annuals as they can hold. Aside from pansies, among the plants that could planted during winter are alyssum (Lobularia maritima) and snapdragons (antirrhinum majus). Pots could also be used as a decoration during holidays.

The article presents tips on creating garden paths. First, one must mark out where the path should be placed, using a hose, masons' twine and stakes or spray paint. It also mentions that stepping-stone paths require the least amount of preparatory work, but the stones may be pricey. The process for dry-laid pavers is also listed. Tips on arranging flagstone paths and gravel and mulch paths are highlighted.

The article offers information on succulent plants. There are various species of this plant which include portulacas, sedums and ice plants. According to the author, succulents blends will with other dryland plants which include blue fescue (Festuca glauca), ponytail grass (Stipa tenuissima), and muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris).

The article focuses on sustainable fertilization. It offers a brief history of the fertilizer which evolved from composted manures, kitchen and garden wastes and seaweed to commercial and synthetic fertilizers after World War I. It mentions an incident in which plants died from fertilizer use and recommends the use of organic fertilizers with lower nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content. It adds that gardens can be made sustainable with the annual application of topdressings comprised of organic matter.

The article offers information on succulent plants and its use in mesic landscapes. It says that succulent plants are easy to grow and easy to propagate, and it can be combined with other dryland plants such as prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa). It mentions that succulent plants can be introduced to the mesic and hydric environment by planting it in containers.

The article features the Eelco Tinga family who managed the Tinga Nursery Inc. in Castle Hayne, North Carolina. It indicates that the three generations of Eelco Tingas work together to lead and promote the success of their nursery property. It provides a brief information about the Eelco Tinga family. Moreover, the article offers a profile of the company including the family succession, services or operations, and nursery developments.

The article discusses the factors to be considered in solving puzzling plant problems. Meter readers, the termite- and bug-control guy; the propane deliverer; phone, cable and electricity providers; house painters, gutter cleaners, window washers and other hired help are the outside factors that can cause damage to plants. Other construction-related places may prove detrimental to landscape plants. Several common problems caused by landscapers that can be "invisible" to the homeowner are listed.

The article focuses on challenges facing gardeners and landscapers in Oak Island, North Carolina, a south-facing barrier island at the bottom of the state. The article warns that working the land on the edge of the ocean presents challenges unaddressed by most print resources. The author shares her experience with gardening in a golf-course community with lots consisting of sand and swamp.

The article discusses the presence of frost in relation to gardens. It provides a definition for frost and explains the significance of last- and first- frost dates in relation to bedding plants. It describes the meaning of standard deviation when calculating for the presence of frost. The author warns about the inaccuracy of frost-date calculation due to information from various sources.

The article discusses the four-step integrated pest management approach to pest control for the sustainable garden in the U.S. This includes prevention by putting the right plant in the right place and identification of the problem and its causes. Limits should be set for acceptable damage and when exceeded, control options may be resorted to. It suggests using physical control first before resorting to chemical options. It stresses that sustainable gardening is based on a bio-diverse, non-toxic environment using as few harmful applications as possible.

Reports on the use of HD Q-PAC biomedia by the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky in one of its life support systems to improve the clarity and quality of sea water in its large fish exhibit. Features of the HD Q-PAC; Advantages of the system for aquariums and aquaculture businesses.

The article presents several letters to the editor in response to articles in the May/June 2013 issue, including the article "The American Table," by Michael Pollan, covering his dinner conversation with food writer Ruth Reichl, "Rocket Fuel," about early astronaut space food, and "Pyramid Scheme," on Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass.

The poem "On Walt Whitman's 'Me Imperturbe'" by Kathy Fitzgerald is presented. First Line: When I was young, not knowing—as we do not know— Last Line: Than the trees and animals do.

The poem "Our Dog" by Kathy Fitzgerald is presented. First Line: The dog bed is stained; Last Line: to speak of you.

Presents the poem "Them in the Old House," by Kathy Fitzgerald. First Line: The little old house in which they then lived; Last Line: And, on winter Sundays, profligate in warmth.

The article offers a plant profile of the genus Ruellia caroliniensis also known as wild petunia and Carolina ruellia. This species chooses full sun to light shade and well-drained soil and tolerates whatever environment it finds itself in. It provides information on Ruellia caroliniensis' hardiness, mature height, and mature spread as well as its landscape use and ornamental characteristics.

The article offers information on the Kosteletzkya virginica or Virginia Mallow plant. It says that the plant is a member of the malvaceae family, has clear pink flowers that looks like 2-inch-wide hibiscus blossoms with yellow stamens and pink pistils, and grows five to six feet in height with mid green, spear shaped leaves. Furthermore, the plant has high moisture tolerance, can grow in sandy soil with compost, and is has negligible pest problems.

The article offers information on Lespedeza thunbergii, which is considered as an underutilized plant. It states that L. thunbergii, which is also known as Thunberg bush-clover, is an herbaceous subshrub. It says that the plant starts flowering either in late April or early May in North Carolina. It adds that L. thunbergii is used as a specimen in the landscape.