INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Then, put a wedge on both ends of the log to lock it in place. These stands should be tall enough to have the log sit close to hip-level, but no taller than that. You should be able to sit astride the log and have your feet flat on the ground.  Sitting astride means placing your legs on either side of the log and sitting on the log itself. If your feet are not flat on the ground, the stands are too tall. You will need to replace them with shorter stands if this is the case. The thumb of your dominant hand should lay on the shoulder of the handle. If you have your thumb around the handle, you risk injuring your thumbnail. Your off hand should be right underneath your dominant hand. Have the bottom of your dominant hand touching the top of your off hand for maximum axe control. If the log has cracks in it going downward from left to right, you must hew away from you on the upper part of the log and towards the lower part. If the log has cracks that go upward from left to right, you’ll have to hew in the opposite direction. Doing this avoids conflicting with the structure of the wood and gives you the cleanest chop possible. This lets you check the quality of the surface you’ve hewn. Chop as evenly as possible to repel water as best as you can. Flakes of wood can create pockets for rainwater, so place the log upside-down before you hew it.

SUMMARY: Place the ends of the log on stands. Grip the part near the head of the axe with your dominant hand. Examine the log to see which direction you need to chop. Move backwards slowly to check your progress.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Line up the device so that the display sits on the top (or backside) of your wrist. This will allow you to get a clear look at the readout anytime, whether you’re out for a jog or just checking the time.  Make sure the display is facing the right way so that it will be visible whenever you look down. It’s also possible to strap your Fitbit to an ankle if you need to keep your hands free, though this may skew your stats. Wrap the straps around either side of your wrist until they overlap. Holding the device with one hand, slide the top strap along the series of holes in the bottom strap until you find the setting that feels best.  Aim for a fit that's snug but not too tight. You should be able to slide the Fitbit about half an inch up or down your arm without difficulty. Insert the double clasp into the two holes that correspond to your ideal fit, then press them firmly until they click into place. If you’re wearing a model with a traditional buckle, like the Charge 2 or Surge, run the top strap through the buckle, then guide the prong into the desired hole and pull to tighten.  Brand new bands can be a little stiff. It may help to flex or practice snapping them closed a few times to loosen them up. To keep the Fitbit from coming undone, make sure the clasps have been pushed all the way through both holes.

SUMMARY: Place the Fitbit around your wrist. Adjust the straps until you achieve the desired fit. Secure the straps.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Synthetic pesticides can be quite strong, dangerous to apply, and damaging to the environment. To ensure it’s necessary to treat your lawn at all, first determine if you have grubs, and then decide if the problem is big enough to require treatment.  Look for indications that there are grubs in your lawn, such as holes, grass with no roots, browning patches, and patches that feel spongy. To determine for sure if you have grubs, dig up a square-foot (30 cm by 30 cm) patch of grass to a depth of two inches (five cm) and look for grubs. Don’t treat your lawn if there are fewer than five grubs, and avoid treating if your lawn is healthy and you find fewer than 10. If there are 10 or more grubs, treat your lawn. When you’ve gone through and determined for certain that you have grubs and need to treat, you can use a curative pesticide that will kill grubs almost immediately. The two types of curative pesticides you can use are carbaryl and trichlorfon (sold under the brand name Dylox).  Water your lawn both before and after applying the pesticide to ensure that the chemical sinks in to the soil to where the grubs are. Apply curative pesticides to your lawn in fall, spring, and before May. You can find these types of pesticides in home and hardware stores. Make sure you wear gloves, a protective mask, and other safety gear when applying pesticides. There is another type of pesticide that can help control grubs, and it’s a preventive pesticide that’s meant to kill upcoming generations. Typically, this type of pesticide is applied in June or July, after you’ve already sprayed with a curative pesticide.  To protect pollinators such as bees from the pesticide, mow your lawn to remove flowering weeds before applying the product.  To stop your grass from burning, water your lawn thoroughly all summer after applying the insecticide. Preventive pesticides include those sold under the brand names Merit and Mach 2.

SUMMARY:
Determine if a synthetic pesticide is necessary. Try a synthetic pesticide for all grubs. Apply a preventive insecticide for next year.