DATE:     9/3/96
CONTACT:  Dr. John Albrecht, (803) 662-3526, Ext. 250
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343

Pee Dee REC to Host
Lawn and Garden Day

     FLORENCE -- If you enjoy working around the yard or in the
garden, you should be at the Pee Dee Research and Education
Center near Florence on Sept. 14.
     That's when the second annual Lawn and Garden Field Day is
scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., come rain or shine, according
to John Albrecht, Clemson Extension swine specialist and field
day chairman.
     "We'll have something for everyone during the day," he said.
"We'll offer seminars on landscaping and lawn and garden care,
while the kids take part in educational and fun activities."
     Two wagon tours of field crops are planned. Visitors will
see how peanuts are grown and harvested and how cotton is picked
by machine.
     "You can even try picking cotton by hand," Albrecht said.
     "Two tours along a nature trail will be hosted by experts
who will point out the marvels that we often overlook," he said.
     Homeowners can bring problem plant samples to a Plant
Problem Clinic, where experts will diagnose the troubles and tell
what to do about them.
     The landscaping seminars will offer participants a look at 
uses for native plants, how to grow herbs, English garden design,
landscaping for backyard wildlife, wildlife in the coastal plain
and plants that creep and climb.
     Demonstrations will show homeowners how to plant and
maintain trees and how to care for lawn and garden.
     Seminars on lawn and garden management will offer advice on
diseases and weeds, how to handle pesticides safely, proper
irrigation techniques and how to control fire ants.
     Younger visitors may learn about butterfly crafts, how to
dry fruits and vegetables, how to make a vest, how to collect and
identify insects, and test their knowledge of agriculture while
competing for cash prizes.
     The Pee Dee REC is one of five facilities of the S.C.
Agricultural Experiment Station, a research arm of Clemson
University. To reach the facility, take Exit 169 off of
Interstate 95. At the end of TV Road, turn left onto Pocket Road
and go one mile.
                               END