In a message dated 6/7/2006 7:08:17 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, wpoulsen@pacbell.net writes: --this is the same promise we were made about Heronswood Nursery 6 years ago), and now this, I don't much like what it sometimes does to things that were functioning perfectly well as they were. In fact, it irks me a lot. Today's column by Anne Raver in the NY TImes sheds a bit more light on the Heronswood saga. Among the quotes cited in the column: Dan Hinkley said: he and Mr Jones spent "six years waiting for the crash you know is coming." Apparently it was evident less than 6 months after the Burpee purchase that it would not work out. George Ball said: "It wasn't profitable a profitable business when we bought it" Business was so bad, Mr. Ball said, he asked the former owners to buy Heronswood back for $2,000,000. "They took a day to think about it, and said no." Burpee bought the business for $4,500,000. The most striking quote, and I admire Mr. Hinkley for being forthright and blaming himself for being naive: " Mea culpa," he said "This entire set of circumstances comes down to me, and my decision was wrong." Mark Mazer Intarsia Ltd. PO Box 142 Gaylordsville, CT 06755