Organic foods have been around for decades, and those concerned about the pesticides and chemicals used in industrial farming have long turned to organics to ensure that the foods they eat are healthy and pure. Increasingly, though, people who don’t consider themselves to be naturalists or environmentalists are embracing eco-friendly foods and home furnishings.

Whether out of a concern for the diminishing rain forests or for the chemicals found in the carpet that their baby crawls on, there is a growing market for eco-friendly furniture and home furnishings. From organic mattresses made from cotton and wool to wood furniture made from reclaimed wood, there is a myriad of eco-friendly home furniture from which to choose.

Typically, manufacturers of eco-friendly wood furniture and decorative wood home furnishings use reclaimed timber. In other words, the wood that is used to make furniture was logged long ago and was once a bridge or other structure. By using reclaimed wood, furniture makers recycle timber that has already been logged instead of cutting down trees. Similarly, makers of eco-friendly bed linens use cotton grown on small organic farms or wool harvested organically raised sheep.

The variety of available eco-friendly wood furniture and other wood home furnishings is astounding. Many of the pieces have artisan craftsmanship, and can be proudly displayed alongside antique furniture. Wood furniture inspired by the Viking and Celtic peoples is very popular. A CD cabinet, for example, might feature Celtic scroll carving embellishments or knobs engraved with a Celtic knot pattern. Likewise, a Celtic desk might include a lattice footrest or brass handles, and be made from antique elm wood.

The popularity of Viking motifs is gaining, especially in decorative pieces. For example, a shield featuring Viking sea dragons inspired by historic carvings found in Sweden dating from between the ninth and twelfth centuries adds a touch of history and mystery to a living room’s décor.

Reclaimed wood is also used to make Egyptian-inspired wood furniture and decorative pieces. An Egyptian jewelry box, for example, might feature miniature hand-paintings and carved hieroglyphs, while Egyptian candlesticks might feature carvings that replicate those found on King Tutankhamen’s ceremonial chair.

From rugs to linens, from carpeting to wood furniture, eco-friendly home furnishings conserve the Earth’s resources while providing consumers with items rich in beauty and historical significance. Whether one’s tastes runs to antiques, to the Viking or Celtic eras, or to the mysteries of ancient Egyptian tombs, there are certainly organic options for home decorating.

About The Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com

To learn more about subjects like furniture please visit the web site at: http://www.celticvikingfurniture.com

For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon’s Home Furnishings directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Home_Furnishings

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Porch Swings are now made from a wide range of building materials. The most common are wood and wicker. Popular woods used are cedar, teak, pine, maple, and oak. The materials vary greatly in terms of strenth and durability. While Oak is the strongest, it also tend to be very heavy. Cedar offers the greatest strength to lightest weight ratio. The wood is very light and has 80% the strength of oak. Cedar also has natural properties that enable the wood to resist rot and decay. In addition, it won’t bow or sag, crack or chip making it one of Outdoor Furniture’s most desired building materials. Pine is lightweight and relatively inexpensive but is soft and dents and cracks easily. The durability of wicker varies depending on the materials used to make the wicker.

Porch Swing physical features like seat depth, angle of the back and space between the slats, length of the seat, and joint construction can vary widely. The depth of the seat is one feature that is very important. Seat depth can range from 18 to 36 Inches. There is no one correct depth. It’s a personal choice based on comfort.

For maximal comfort, the back of the Swing should be slightly tilted. And there should be some space between the slats to allow air to circulate.

Swings can generally hold one to three people depending on the length of the seat. But keep in mind that the longer the seat the heavier the supports that will be required. Generally, a Porch Swing that seats two comfortably is recommended.

Finally, the functional nature of Porch Swings requires that the joints be screwed or bolted together. Joints that are nailed together are not recommended as a Porch Swing is a functional peice of and the nails will come loose with use.

Another criterium to consider is whether to buy a finished or unfinished Porch Swing. Porch Swings are now available in a variety of finishes. Some are stained, others painted in colors ranging from white to a rainbow of multiple colors. Many Porch Swings are also unfinished. The unfinished Porch Swings provide the most options later and some can be left to age naturally without finishing. Unfinished Cedar, for example, is “Outdoor reaady”. No finishing is required. An unfinshed Patio Furniture Porch Swing also leaves lots of “dress up” options. While it might be difficult to find cushions to match muti-colored Porch Swings, by starting with an unfinished Outdoor Furniture swing, you could pick the stain or paint to match the cushion!

Installion is another important consideration. If you have a covered Porch with exposed joists, your installation job is automatically made easier. However, your options re: length and weight of the Porch Swing may be limited. If you intend on building your own Porch Swing support for the garden or an uncovered porch, more options are open to you as you can build the support according to the weight and length of the Porch Swing.

By considering the building material, physical features, the finish, and your particular installation requirements in advance, your task of choosing the Porch Swing that is best for you will be much easier. And you’ll be enjoying your Porch Swing that much faster with fewer hastles!

Kevin Snook is the owner and operator of Patio Furniture retailer http://www.GoCedar.com, Porch Swing that’s shipped free to homes and cottages throughout the Continental USA and Canada.

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Spring is in my opinion the most wonderful time of year for the gardener. You can shake of that winter weariness and get ready for a new gardening season.

The most difficult part of spring gardening is trying to manage your impatience. Don’t start digging around too early. The soil must be dry enough to have it fall apart when you pick it up. When it still sticks together like glue that’s definitely not the case.

Early spring is the best time of year to change (parts of) your garden design. You can transplant existing shrubs and perennial plants before they begin to leaf out. This also is the time to prune your trees and shrubs. Cut back the remaining dead foliage from last season and remove dead, damaged or diseased branches of trees and shrubs.

And then flowers! That’s really what spring is about isn’t it! There are many that are suitable for cool spring weather. Think of sweet alyssum, some snapdragons, stock and sweat peas. You can also start some perennials like hostas and daylilies.

Start some Violets, Marigolds, Carnations, Geraniums and Impatiens inside to transplant to your flower beds in early spring. Or if you have some space left in your garden you can set up a “Cold Frame”. Ready-made cold frames are available in different sizes. A cold frame “captures” the spring sunlight and warms the soil it surrounds. That way it is ideal to “harden off” houseplants and transplants for your summer garden. You can use the cold frame for direct seeding as well.

If you have unplanted areas in your garden a great spring project is to lay out landscape cloth on that unplanted area. Landscape cloth is an excellent weed barrier. It comes in different weights, heights and fabric choices. This cloth can then also serve as a great map to precisely plant your transplants.

Weeds start to grow very early but still have shallow roots in spring so get them out when you spot them. Getting on top of the weeds now means a lot less work in summer, and I’m sure that digging out weeds in the burning sun in not your favorite pastime.

These two measures will definitely intimidate your perennial weeds to the extent that they will prefer your neighbor’s garden over yours.

And most of all enjoy your spring garden, watch it grow and blossom into summer!

About The Author

Anita Johnston is an enthusiast gardener and one of the authors of http://www.gardening-guides.com and http://www.lawnmower-guide.com/.

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Custom log home design ideas can be used to help create the dream log home you’ve always wanted. Perhaps you have some custom log home design ideas on paper as you’ve been collecting design ideas. That’s a great way to plan and organize your ideas, by making a scrapbook of the things you may want in your log home design. Here are some tips for custom designing your log home:

1. Explore and Select Your Log Home Style - select the log home style that you really want and like, a style that excites you. Will you prefer the manufactured or handcrafted log home style? Manufactured log homes are made with logs that are milled into a desired shape, producing uniform logs without taper. The logs used generally range in length from 10 to 18 feet.

A custom log home design using manufactured logs can vary considerably in shape and appearance because the logs have different shapes and there are different corner styles. You can obtain kits ranging from just the logs and fasteners to more complete systems that include the roofing materials, doors, windows and even more.

A handcrafted custom log home design means handcrafters will strip the bark off of whole logs. Using special skills and tools, the handcrafter will fit each log into place. Handcrafted custom log home design and construction is labor intensive, and the construction process takes longer and usually costs more since so much work is done manually. This method attempts to preserve the natural shape of the tree, and each log is carefully trimmed and shaped for a specific location in the log shell. The logs may be assembled at the company’s yard, the pieces are numbered, taken apart and shipped to the homesite to be reassembled.

2. Visualize Home Traffic Flow - a good way to create a custom log home design is to take floorplans you like and pretend you’re coming home, entering and moving around in the home. Come in the front door - where will you place your coat? What do you see in front of you as you enter? Which way to the kitchen and pantry if you are carrying groceries? Visualize sitting in the living room or family room. Will you be entertaining guests? Is having a fireplace high on your list of priorities? Try to note where the bathroom or bathrooms are located. As you finish your shower, where are the towels hanging?

Another helpful exercise when visualizing custom log home design is to examine the things that you like about where you live now. What things would you like to keep and what are things you’d like to change and have in your new home? For example, perhaps you’ll want a much larger kitchen. Pay special attention to the kitchen work triangle - the distance between the sink, refrigerator and range or cooktop. Each one of these areas becomes a focal point in the kitchen and forms the three points of a triangle with different distances between them. Done correctly, proper custom log home design in the kitchen gives you the most efficient food preparation area layout. Walk through each room of the floorplan and see how the room feels and functions and how its location seems in relation to other roms.

3. Plan Your Home Orientation and Layout - when creating a custom log home design, pay attention to your site and how the orientation of individual rooms will be done. Locate the bedrooms towards the cooler, nighttime north. Place your kitchen facing the east to catch the early morning sun. The living room and recreational room can have a kind of transitional orientation, facing the warm noon south sun. And the dining area can be oriented towards the late afternoon western sun. Natural light, window placement, orientation and views are powerful positive factors in human health and the comfort of your new home.

A great way to learn custom log home design ideas is to view log home plans that have been successfully built already. Use the speed of the internet to view plans, plans that you enjoy. Every plan that you review can give you custom log home design ideas that you had not thought of. Instead of trying to create brand new plans from scratch, you can save considerable time and money if you can find great plans that have already been built successfully somewhere. This means the plans will work. Just be sure the plans service can make the changes to the plans so they become exactly what you want. That way, you really can create the custom log home design that will provide you many years of enjoyment.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

About The Author

David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of this popular log home website.

Learn more about log home design, fireplace design, cabin rentals and finding a log home plan just right for you at http://www.yourdreamloghome.com.

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Log home designs can be divided in several ways. Understanding log home designs and basic concepts can help you select the design that is best for you. As you are getting involved in the design process, consider these basic concepts as they apply to your design:

• Shape of Log Used - the logs used in your log home can be shaped in various ways. They can be full round, D-shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped or Swedish cope style. D-shaped logs will have one side of the log flat with the other three sides being rounded. The Swedish cope style has a portion of the bottom of the log cut out so that the log rests more securely on the log beneath it in the wall.

• Type of Log Wood - there are many wood species commonly used in log home designs. There is no such thing as a “best” wood to use, rather, each species has advantages and disadvantages. Wood types include cedar, cypress, Douglas fir, hemlock, lodgepole pine, oak, spruce, white pine and yellow pine. If log home designs, construction and maintenance are done properly, any of these woods will provide many decades of enjoyable log home living. If not designed, built and maintained properly, none of the woods will hold up very well.

• Peeled or Milled Logs - peeled logs used in log home designs will have the bark and outer sapwood removed. This can be accomplished by hand or by the mill’s machinery. Milled logs are run through machines that will create the desired log shape when finished. The log surfaces will be more smooth and uniform in milled logs.

• Corner Systems Used - here are the four main corner systems used in log home designs:

1. Butt-and-Pass - these corners are formed when one log stops where it meets the intersecting log, and the other log extends past the corner. There are many variations involving the shape of the area where the logs butt. Usually the passing logs have a cutout into which the butt log fits.

2. Dovetail Corners - these corners are used mostly with square or rectangular logs. The end of each log is cut in such a way that produces a fan-shaped wedge. As the logs are stacked, the ends of one wall’s logs will be locked into the perpendicular logs.

3. Notched - notched corners are also known as saddle-notch. A saddle-shaped notch is cut into the bottom of each round log so that this notch on the bottom of the top log straddles the top of the log coming from the perpendicular wall. Both logs then extend past the corner. The saddle-notch is one of the most traditional corner intersections used in log home designs and is favored by many handcrafters. These type of corners are very strong, but they do require more construction time. Notched corners are also easier to seal and hold corner logs better than butt-and-pass.

4. Post Corners - the log ends are cut off perpendicular to the length of the log and joined at the corners using what amounts to vertical posts. This type of construction is not as labor intensive. This corner style sacrifices some of the traditional log cabin or log home look. Using post corners will require a different engineering treatment than other log corners, because the vertical posts do not settle with the horizontal logs.

One of the best ways to learn more about log home designs is to view log home plans that have been successfully built. Every plan that you examine can give you design ideas that you had not thought of. Trying to create brand new plans from scratch can be time-consuming and expensive. You can save considerably if you can find great plans that exist that you like. Just be sure the plans service can make changes to the plans so they become exactly what you want. That way, you really can create the log home design that will provide you many years of enjoyment.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

About The Author

David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - a popular website about log home living.

Learn more at http://www.yourdreamloghome.com/log-home-design.html about log home designs and finding a log home plan that may be just right for you.

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Your garden may be a coastal beach or you have a garden naturalistic wooded landscape, you can easily find some pieces that add the perfect touch to your garden, since wooden garden furniture can suit just about any style.

For example, rustic wooden furniture can add just the right touch to your woodland garden. It is possible to get benches, tables, and seats that are often made entirely from who tree trunks that still have bark on them. Other pieces are a combination of pinewood and tree branches. This style of wooden garden furniture has a natural handcrafted look that makes them an excellent addition to any garden.

A classic combination for coastal gardens is an Adirondack chairs with a matching side table and footstool. These chairs are ideal for a decking area or patio, particularly when they are painted in bright primary colours. They are very comfortable to sit in and the wide arms of the chairs are ideal for holding a glass of something.

A traditional cottage garden makes the ideal setting for the equally traditional wooden bench. Also, a wooden sun lounger will also suit a cottage garden with the classical look. You could than add a wooden table and a few chairs to your patio so that you and your guests can enjoy dinner outdoors. However, make sure you have a parasol for the unpredictable British summers whether to protect from the sun or the rain.

A particularly versatile piece of wooden garden furniture is the wooden picnic table. This can be used in a number of gardens or situations such as a landscaped garden or children’s play area. Remember to add children’s wooden furniture, such as table and chairs to the garden so that your children can enjoy the surroundings.

Once you have purchased your wooden furniture you should make sure that you maintain it correctly by applying a protective finish. This will keep it from deteriorating from sun and rain exposure. There are several good alternatives here such as exterior wood stain, acrylic latex paint or water repellent preservative are all good choices.

Given good care and attention your wooden garden furniture will give you a great deal of pleasure for many years.

Matthew Anthony contributes to several garden and landscape sites such as wooden garden furniture and hammocks.

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International moving is a job for well-organized professionals how can take care after the never-ending amount of details. Yet, thousands of people relocate from one nation to another every day. These people neither have the information, nor the gear to get fully prepared for the upcoming move. International moving .biz has both the tools and the information for the relocating individual and family. The company supplies moving quotes, explain about the different shipping methods, advice you with relocation tips for every major city around the globe and much more. Connect now to http://www.InternationalMoving.biz and have an easy and well-organized move!

International Moving .biz platform is simple and easy to use allowing customers to find the precise information and services they need. One of the most helpful resources is the moving and shipping quotes supplied free of charge. Customer’s fills a short request form with their moving details. Such details include basic moving details (countries, dates), and data regarding your favorite moving methods (air, sea, road). In no time international moving and overseas shipping quotes are delivered. The shipping quote service provided through http://www.OneEntry.com a leading international movers quotes provider. Finding international moving company has never been easier. http://www.InternationalMoving.biz allowing customers to chose from a variety of international moving companies.

Moving to a new country, by your self or with children is a tricky procedure. People are trailing with the new language and with the new customs. Daily routines are dissimilar from country to country, so it would be wise to learn about the culture and daily life of the destination country. http://www.InternationalMoving.biz allowing customers browse through every detail in need, making sure landing will be smooth. International Moving .biz give customers the opportunity to be prepared for the upcoming move, to learn about everyday life of the new country, making a smooth move.

The service is simple and easy giving the freedom to negotiate and wisely choose international moving company. In addition the service by International Moving .biz let people on the move get ready for the life in the new country. It is a helpful resource- gives example to the use of the Internet as a center of global information. Connect now to http://www.InternationalMoving.biz, and start saving time and money.

About The Author

Paul Hawson establishes marketing programs in the field of international moving, shipping and cargo. His main interest is with web sites which compare shipping rates.

Pual Hawson is available at http://www.oneentry.com .

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Log cabin floor plans - how to find special log cabin floor plans that are just right for you? You can try and create brand new plans from the beginning. However, you will save considerably if you can find log cabin plans that have been built successfully already. That’s important, because that means the plans will work. Even if you need to make changes to the plans, it will still be cheaper and faster for you.

Here are tips on finding log cabin planbs that may be just right for you:

• Buy Cabin Plans Books - whether online or in stores, you can find books of log cabin and log home plans. Look through the plans to see which ones you like. If you find one or more, you could order the log cabin plan you wanted by telephone or mail.

• Locate Log Cabin Manufacturers - you will find the manufacturers of log cabin homes in log home magazines. Contact several, get their brochures and review their log cabin floor plans. And at some point, you should visit the companies that have log cabin floor plans that interest you. Speak with the sales people - are they friendly, flexible and able to offer suggestions? Or are they high-pressure and full of claims about the superiority of their log cabin homes? You do want to be comfortable with any log cabin manufacturer that you may do business with.

• View Log Cabin Floor Plans Online - use the speed of the internet to find cabin plans online. Search online by putting quotation marks around your search terms so you will get the best results, like “log cabin plans” or “log cabin floor plans”. See what criteria you can enter so you only get the plans that interest you. You should be able to search by cabin size, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms and so on. See what plans are shown. As you find log cabin floor plans that interest you, note the plans number in case you want to see it again. If you find a log cabin floor plan you really like, then examine the plans company, prices and so on. Here are the kinds of questions you should want answers to:

1. How long has the plans service company been in business?

2. Can the plans service company make changes to plans for you?

3. What are your choices in plan formats?

4. How long do your plans take to be done and arrive?

5. Are lists of materials needed to build available?

As you search online for a great log cabin plan, keep a notebook of the ideas you get when you see features and concepts in log cabin plans that you like. Finding the best log cabin floor plans for your project is so much faster and easier with the capabilities of the internet. Your great log cabin floor plans probably exist somewhere already, which means you just need to go and find them.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

About The Author

David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - a popular website for log cabin and log home enthusiasts.

See quality log cabin floor plans at http://www.yourdreamloghome.com/log-cabin-plans.html and learn more about fireplace design, cabin rentals and creating that special log cabin home.

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Those beautiful bathrooms you see in fancy kitchen and bath showroom

stores that feature elegant crystal clear glass shower doors, polished fixtures,

imported tile and marble always look spotlessly clean. How do they do it?

In your bath at home it’s probably a different story. Having unsightly water spots everywhere, like your glass shower doors, walls, fixtures, and mirrors, can leave your bath looking embarrassingly unpresentable all the time.

Well, believe it or not, there is an easy way to keep your bath looking “showroom-perfect” all the time. Best of all, it does not take the employment of a full-time cleaning

staff or a huge amount of special effort. The trick is to squeegee the glass shower

doors, tile, marble, and mirrors immediately after bathing, while the surfaces and you are

still wet. The procedure takes just seconds and helps you avoid a huge cleanup job later. And, secret be known, it’s kind of fun ….no kidding!

The only thing you have to remember to do after squeegeeing is to leave the

squeegee in the bath so it is handy to reach the next time you need it. I know what you

are thinking….isn’t leaving an ugly industrial-looking squeegee in the bath kind of like

trading one problem for another? No wants to leave an unattractive squeegee in the

bath….right? No worry, there is one squeegee which has been specifically designed

for the bath and it’s a beauty. It is known simply as the Clerét Bath Squeegee. It is

very unique in appearance - not the typical t-shape, janitorial-looking squeegees

found everywhere - and it almost looks like a statue when stored in the bath because you

can stand it on end. Very cool!

Let’s talk function: one swipe of the Clerét Bath Squeegee shows why it was

awarded the Gold Medal for Design Excellence and selected as Consumer Product Of

The Year by the Industrial Designers Society of America. What’s really neat about this

product is that unlike regular window type squeegees, it has two super-soft wiping blades

that work on both flat and textured/contoured surfaces, providing incredible streak-free cleaning. In addition, its clever, compact form allows one to reach difficult

corners. And last but not least, it has been ergonomically designed to reduce the

strain on the hand and wrist.

So the next time you see one of those fancy bath setups you’ll know how they keep

everything so clean!

AC-0003

About The Author

Al Hansen heads Cleret, Inc., where you can buy the best squeegees for your home, car, boat, and more online. Visit Cleret today at http://www.cleret.com/ to learn more about the squeegees’ unique design and to buy a set for yourself or a friend.

cleret@exclusiveconcepts.com

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Research has shown that earthworm excrement, also called castings or vermicompost, improves the aeration, porosity, structure, drainage, and moisture-holding capacity of soil.

Many studies prove that when compared to conventional composts, vermicompost is less variable and much more stable. Mixing vermicompost into the planting medium essentially eliminated the need for additional fertilizer in the production of tomato plugs as one example.

Studies show that earthworm castings increase height, stem diameter, enhance root growth, increase dry weight, and produce more flowers per plant than peat moss.

Redworm castings are the richest and purest humus matter in the world. Humus is believed to aid in the prevention of harmful plant pathogens, fungi, nematodes and bacteria.

One pound of worms can convert one pound of pig manure into compost in 48 hours!

Worms consume three times their weight a week or more. Red wrigglers are very active, reproduce quickly and consume their own body weight of waste every 24 hours. Therefore ten pounds of worms will eat ten pounds of waste in 24 hours!

Worm castings provide a rich source of a variety of essential plant nutrients.

Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higher than in the soil and organic matter that the worm ingests.”

How to use worm castings:

When planting vegetable and annuals line the rows and holes with about two inches of castings. About every eight weeks side dress the plants with one-half cup of castings per plant or one cup per foot of row.

For perennials work one-half cup of castings into the soil in the spring, middle of summer, and early fall.

For pots and hanging baskets add one-half inch castings to the top and water in. Then reapply every eight weeks.

Roses appreciate four cups of castings per plant.

If starting a new lawn add 15 pounds of casting per 100 square feet when sowing. Once established use seven pounds per 100 square feet.

For more information about vermicompost and castings visit:

http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/earthworm.htm

REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publish this article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter, ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if it remains unchanged and you include the copyright and author information (Resource Box) at the end. You may not use this article in any unsolicited commercial email (spam).

Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney

Please leave the resource box intact with an active link, and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which the article appears to: marilynp@nctc.net

Author: Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

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