Do it Yourself!

Warm weather allure on your outside deck moves an atmospheric notch when you install soft ambient deck lighting. Evening meals "out on the deck"...reading...listening to music...even adding a soft glow to outdoors deck camp outs for the kids all the more possible with the latest generation of long-life easy-to-install outdoor deck lights designs.

Deck Post Lights - With Optional Light Sensor Controls. Any number of deck post light designs can be used to increase outdoor ambience and day-to-night use. Think of flood lights...lantern designs set in as deck post lights or wall mounted...quartz flood lights...LED deck lights. Dawn-to-dusk adaptation becomes a cinch with the use of high tech hi-lo light sensor units...saving energy when you need to, or providing motion detection when people enter the deck area. Deck lamps can be post-mounted, screwed into the deck directly, or wall mounted too adapt to any outdoor lighting need.

Deck Step Lights. Deck stair lights are critical for night time safety. Homeowners should consider a pattern of deck stair lights, with two fixtures on the opposite ends of wide stairs over 6 to 8 feet, or a single center-positioned deck step light for narrower deck stairs.

LED Deck Lighting. Recessed deck lighting got a design boost with the advent of solar powered LED deck lighting systems. A simple kit for 1 or multiple lighting points, LED deck lighting designs exploit the "free energy" from the sun...charging up in under 4 hours...generating up to 12 hours of subtle low-wattage lighting...and the Big Winner is that you're entirely free of troublesome wires and the associated additional wiring costs. Several solar panels "collect" energy during the day. You can program the LED deck lights to come on automatically, or use a remote control for when-needed lighting control.

Low Voltage Deck Lighting. Is your deck shaded and limited in terms of capturing sunlight? If so then the alternative to solar deck lighting is hard-wired low voltage deck lighting. You'll get 100% guaranteed deck light-on-demand with the flick of a wall switch. Around 10 watts of power running through halogen bulbs gives you complete control over your deck lighting needs. Design materials include the range of copper, wood, bronze and mixed materials. Some individual low voltage deck lights can be screwed directly into the deck, be grounded and placed along garden pathways.

Solar Deck Lighting. Residential deck and stairs or even large landscape lighting needs are well met by the new breed of 2 to 4 watt solar deck lighting designs. Typically fabricated in long life anodized metal, solar deck post lights weight less than 2 pounds...each can be located exactly where you need it...self-contained with discrete solar panels combining with LED intensive lights...plus, the huge advantage of "no messy wires and connections" to be made. Charging time of 4 hours equals sufficient stored energy to run for up to 12 hours.

Recessed Deck Lighting - Subtle Designing With Light. In deck lighting, while custom in design and installation, creates the most subtle yet safe way to locate deck lighting so that you and your friends can comfortably see...yet not be blinded. Recessed deck lighting systems safely trail connective wires below the deck, and eye line. Once wired in to a nearby switch box, recessed deck lighting fixtures carry a protective cap so that the accidental step from kids, dogs or guests causes no harm. Alternative to wires? Look into the range of solar deck lights, especially recessed deck lighting kits...easy to install, weather resistant. Learn More About Deck Lighting Designs, Deck Stair Lights, Solar And LED Deck Lighting And Much More.

Please go to the following links for the latest in deck lighting designs and deck lamps technologies for your outdoor living space.

Deck and Patio Lighting: http://www.wise4living.com/hgdeck/patio-lights.htm

Tiki Torches: http://www.wise4living.com/olfeature/tiki.htm

Author Robin Derry is publisher for http://www.wise4living.com/ a specialty knowledge site that gives insights and solutions on outdoor deck lighting solutions, outdoor deck railing ideas, advice on building deck stairs, home and gardening projects such as decks and deer fencing, plasma and LCD TV stand design trends, wall mount and TV ceiling mount systems, HDTV and home entertainment systems, specialty academic camps, auto tire and wheels technology trends, medical spas, technology trends, unique gift designs, technology gifts, tips for families committed to youth summer camps, body health, household, sport, travel, footwear, education, spendthrift trusts and family law legal needs, and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_J._Derry

What could be more relaxing than gardening on a nice summer morning? Listening to your wind chime while you garden! Wind chimes are not only fun to look at but they add much more to your garden then just visual appeal.

Wind chimes have tones and vibrations that soothe and calm the mind helping to release all your stress. When you dig in the garden and connect with the earth, listening to your chimes tinkle in the breeze can help you also connect with your inner spirit. Chimes have been used for much more than just decoration for centuries. In fact, wind chimes are used in many Feng Shui cures. You can hang your chimes inside as well as outside, metal chimes are best for North, Northwest and West while wood chimes are best for South, Southeast and East. The number of rods can be associated with the cure you want. Use 4, 6, 7, 8 or 18 rods for luck and 5 rods to reject bad energy. Use bamboo for outside.

Of course, you should pick chimes that decorate your porch or garden area to your liking. There’s plenty of styles and materials to choose from. I favor the chimes with a stained glass decoration on top that comes in all kinds of whimsical styles. If you are more traditional, you might go for a simple bamboo chime with an Asian flair. You can even get chimes that are hand tuned if you are really into the sound quality of your wind chime.

Hanging your wind chimes is easy. To hang from the top of your porch, you can use a simple C shaped hook that screws into the ceiling. Any type hook can be used as long as it is strong enough to support your wind chime. Be sure you hang it in an area where it’s freedom of movement is not obstructed by anything. You can also buy fancy hangers that screw in or that stick up from the ground. When hanging your chime, try to pick a place that will not get a strong wind – this way you can be sure your chime does not blow off and break.

So, the next time that you get out into the garden, make sure that you hang out some wind chimes so that you can add a new level to your gardening experience!

Lee Dobbins writes for Wonderful-Wind-Chimes.com where you can find all kinds of wind chimes to brighten your day.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Naturally raised cattle and livestock

South African Agriculture Livestock Farming

Livestock is the largest agricultural sector in South Africa, with a population of some 13.8-million cattle and 28.8-million sheep. Stock breeders concentrate on the development of breeds that are well adapted to diverse climatic and environmental conditions.

Dairy farming:

Dairy is produced throughout South Africa, with most farms in the eastern and northern Free State, North West, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the Eastern and Western Cape, Gauteng and the southern parts of Mpumalanga. The four major dairy breeds in South Africa are the Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey and Ayrshire.

The dairy industry is important to South Africa's job market, with some 4 300 milk producers employing about 60 000 farmworkers and indirectly providing jobs to 40 000 people. Milk production for 2003/04 was estimated at 2-billion litres.

Beef farming:

South Africa produces 85% of its meat requirements, with 15% is imported from Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Australia, New Zealand and the EU. Local demand generally outstrips production, even though there are untapped reserves in the communal farming areas.

Cattle ranches are found mainly in the Eastern Cape, parts of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Northern Cape. Popular beef breeds include the indigenous Afrikaner and Nguni and locally developed Bonsmara and Drakensberger. European and American breeds such as Charolais, Hereford, Angus, Simmentaler, Sussex, Brahman and Santa Gertrudis are maintained as pure breeds or used in cross-breeding.

Sheep and goat farming:

South African sheep farming is concentrated in the Northern and Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga, with Ermelo in Mpumalanga being one of the largest wool-producing districts. Fifty percent of sheep are fine-woolled Merinos. Other breeds include the locally developed Afrino, a woolled mutton breed adapted to arid conditions, the South African Mutton Merino, the Dohne and the Merino Landrace. South Africa's mutton is produced from the Dorper - a highly productive and locally developed mutton breed for arid regions - and the woolled Merino.

Karakul sheep are farmed in the more arid areas, with some 20 173 pelts with a gross value of R3-million produced in 2002/03. The indigenous meat-producing Boer goat accounts for about 30% of all commercial goats. The Angora goat is used for mohair production.

Poultry and pig farming:

South Africa's poultry and pig farms are more intensive than the extensive sheep and cattle production, and are found near the metropolitan areas of Gauteng, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The predominant pig breeds are the South African Landrace, the Large White, the Duroc and the Pietrain.

South Africa's annual poultry meat production is 960 000 tons. Broiler production contributes about 82% to total poultry meat production, with the rest made up of mature chicken slaughter (culls), small-scale and backyard poultry production, ducks, geese, turkeys and other specialised white meat products. Income from poultry and egg production amounted to R11.3-billion in 2002/03.

South Africa accounts for 67% of world sales of ostrich products - leather, meat and feathers. The gross value for ostrich feathers and products during 2002/03 was R276.5-million.

Game farming:

South Africa has more game and a wider variety of game species than most countries. Game farming has grown over the years, and today is a viable industry with great economic potential. The country's main game areas are in Limpopo province, North West, Mpumalanga, the Free State, the Eastern Cape, the Karoo, the Kalahari in the Northern Cape and the thorn scrub of KwaZulu-Natal.

A descriptive game-production model has been developed for optimising intensive animal production on game farms, with the potential to increase the global produce of the game industry by between 8% and 15%.

Aquaculture:

The aquaculture industry in South Africa continues to make meaningful progress in cultivation technology, marketing strategy, marketing practice and scientific innovation. Mussels, trout, tilapia, catfish, oysters and waterblommetjies (Cape pondweed) are the major aquaculture species. Mussel farming occurs mainly at Saldanha Bay.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Crawford