Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs Tommy Irvin, Commissioner. Call Consumer Q’s Hotline at 1-800282-5852.

Consumer Alert/Recall: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Sesame Street Toy Sunglasses; Units: About 120,000; Manufacturer: American Greetings Corp., of Cleveland, Ohio; Hazard: The lens in the sunglasses can separate from frames, posing a choking hazard to young children. Incidents/ Injuries: None reported. Description: This recall involves DesignWare child-size sunglasses with Sesame Street character decals. Sold in quantities of four, each package contains a yellow, blue, red and green pair of sunglasses. The bright green cardboard backer has the Sesame Street and DesignWare logo on the front, and model number SUN-1219 on the back; Sold at: Discount, toy, drug, grocery, party and specialty/gift stores nationwide from December 2003 through August 2005 for about $3; Manufactured in: China; Remedy: Consumers should take these sunglasses away from young children immediately. Consumers can contact the firm for a coupon redeemable wherever American Greetings’ products are sold; Consumer contact: For additional information, contact American Greetings at 800-777-4891 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Q: I have a large eucalyptus tree in my yard that needs to be pruned. I would like to know how to preserve the cuttings and keep them supple.

A: Our office of plant protection suggests that the best method for drying eucalyptus tree cuttings is to use glycerin, which is available at drug stores. Glycerin will not preserve the green color, but the foliage will retain its soft, pliable feel and can be painted or used naturally in arrangements. Foliage preserved with glycerin can be wiped or cleaned and last indefinitely. For detailed instructions please contact our office of consumer services at 1-800-282-5852.

Q: My mums are so bushy, can I divide them? When is the best time to do this and how is it done?

A: Chrysanthemums should be divided in the early spring, as soon as new shoots appear. Each new shoot, with roots attached, will become a brand new plant. Dig them up and cut the rootmass into sections, each with a single green shoot. By the end of the summer, the new plants have grown many new stems, which can be divided the following spring.

Q: I would like to register a brand. What is the procedure? Is there a cost?

A: You will need to contact our office of animal health and provide them with your name and address. They will research the brand you submit to ensure that it has not already been registered. There is no charge for this service from our agency; however, you will have to also file this brand with your county where there is usually a filing fee to the probate judge.

Our office of animal health can be reached outside the Atlanta area by calling 1-800-282-5852.

If you have questions of problems with products or services regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, you may write the Office of Public Affairs, Room 224, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334 or call 1-800-282-5852.