Good point, Robert, about the alkalinity. If we used the pine bark and needles formula in the Northeast, then we'd get spontaneous moss-bustion. Don't our alkaline brethern and sisthren use gypsum the way that acidic folks use lime? And folks whose gardens are clay pots waiting to be fired might be surprised that some of us have such sandy loam that we actually add clay to improve tilth. Sometimes I think the simpler answer would be a perpetual series of dump truck runs from New England to the Southwest exchanging soils. For once, the formula would be simple at both locations: one part yours; one part theirs. Perhaps we could get the driver to bring back some of those scrumptious sauces that we hear about but never find in our stores? In the kitchen looking for something else to decorate with "Smokin' Chipotle," Gareth the ChileKnight