Delightful winter issue I'm writing in response to your delightful winter issue. I find the articles in your magazine always interesting, and so well diversified between the practical, the informative and the fascinating. We live on a small acreage in southwestern Ontario. When we were younger with children at home, we had horses, cats and dogs, pet mice and gerbils. Now we are retired and have each other, mice, deer and birds, including wild turkeys, which entertain us as they stomp on the roof of our bird feeder, trying to get at the seed, and jump to reach the high-bush cranberries. Our large vegetable garden is, I realize now, right across an established deer trail. We have a running battle as to who shall harvest my pole beans and Swiss chard. Your article, "Deer oh, dear," (February 2006, page 28) was very useful. I ended up wrapping my pole beans in green plastic mesh and putting a little plastic gazebo-type greenhouse over the chard. After that, the deer were forced to eat the green pepper leaves and even some potato tops. As the article said, they are very adaptable. - Tess Smith Orangeville, Ontario Be cautious with trail materials My wife and I are Justice Institute-trained B.C. Emergency Social Services Directors. Our team is trained to help people in our remote community, should an emergency arise requiring evacuation. Your article about acreage paths (Winter 2006-07, page 16), suggested using chipped or shredded bark, straw, sawdust or pine needles as well as gravel and stones. By suggesting the use of biodegradable materials, you may have inadvertently advocated using these materials close to a home. If a spark lands on bark chips and pine needles, they will burn fiercely, jeopardizing nearby buildings. These materials may be fine for paths, but not for escape routes or in proximity to buildings. We tell people one form of biodegradation is by burning. If material is biodegradable, it should not be near a building. - Jim Edgson Vernon, British Columbia Gloves to love The manufacturer of The Bionic Rose Gloves featured in your story about great gifts for acreage owners (Winter 2006-07, page 26) does not ship to Canada. How can I get these gloves? - Grace Krahn Via e-mail This product is not available at Canadian retail outlets. Order the gloves directly from the company by calling 1-877-524-6642. They will process and mail orders to Canadians. Frozen lines When I went away for a few weeks last winter, I returned to find the septic lines on my acreage frozen. Is there something I can add to the tank during periods of disuse to prevent the problem? - Howie Nickels Portage la Prairie, Manitoba This is a complex matter; do consult a plumber. Our feature, "Septic Tank SOS," is archived on our website. This story has lots of tips for preventing frozen septic lines. In addition, Sandra Busler, at McGill's Industrial Service in Saskatoon, tells me that whatever water is left in lines will freeze. If you are away during the coldest months, blow out your lines with air or blow antifreeze in. Busler suggests pouring antifreeze in the sink to prevent the tank from freezing. Replace the water in toilets with antifreeze. You could also wrap vulnerable lines with heating tape. If the septic tank liquid freezes, hanging a lightbulb down there will thaw it within three or four days. Another preventive tactic is to have someone visit your house daily to run some water through the system. Mind reading I wish you could publish more issues per year: I can't get enough of Acreage Life! It is by far my favourite subscription of the 10 I'm receiving. Each issue has at least one article of major interest to us. It's as though you're reading our minds! Keep up the great work. - Jill Dakers Okotoks, Alberta What do you call your acreage? Re: "What is an acreage?" (Fall 2006, page 39.) Two years ago, we moved from a small town in northeastern Alberta to a nearby acreage. It is a little paradise where we enjoy a lake view, many varieties of birds, and plenty of fresh air and sunshine. The acreage is located at the end of a dead-end road and is on the outskirts of the development. We call it the Backacher, because it is the Back Acre, and also, far too frequently, the cause of backaches! - Barbara G. Palmer Lac la Biche, Alberta We've had our place since the early 1980s. Our neighbours always told us about the moose here, but we never saw any until 2003. So we call our place Lost Moose Meadows. A restaurant in our area is named Lost Moose Lodge, for the same reason. - Theo Kellner Penticton, British Columbia Request for back issues Recently, I came across a copy of Acreage Life at my public library. It is superb! I have since requested a subscription. We are purchasing an acreage we will be developing over the next few years. Your magazine has so many articles pertinent to the questions and ideas we have been discussing. I look forward to receiving my first copy in the mailbox soon. Is it possible to purchase previous issues of the magazine? I have read a few articles from past issues on your website, and I'd really like to have hard copies. - J. Kastendieck Calgary Available back issues may be purchased for $9 per copy (includes shipping). Contact our Subscriptions Department at 1-800-667-6929 or via e-mail: subscriptions@producer.com. Write to us at: The Mailbox, Acreage Life Box 2500, 2310 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2C4 Or e-mail us: acreagelife.editors@producer.com