Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs Tommy Irvin, Commissioner Call Consumer Q's Hotline at 1-800- 282-5852.

Consumer Alert/Recall: Harry Potter Bookends Recalled By Giftco Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard 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: Harry Potter Bookends; Units: About 36,000; Importer: Giftco Inc., of Vernon Hills, Ill. Hazard: The paint on the bookends contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Description: This recall involves poly-stone bookends painted and shaped in the characters of the Harry Potter book series. Bookend characters include Harry Potter, Hedwig and Hermione, and Crookshank. Sold at: Elementary school fundraising programs, discount and dollar stores nationwide from June 2004 through January 2006 for between $3 and $28. Manufactured in: Hong Kong; Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled bookends away from children and return them to Giftco for a refund. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Giftco Inc. toll-free at (888) 448-6728 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at http://mail.giftcoinc.com.

Consumer Food Recall: Pumpkin seeds recalled for unlisted sulfites Tommy Irvin, Georgia agriculture commissioner, is alerting consumers about the recall of some pumpkin seeds from China. Fine Land Corp, 239 Bay 20th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11214, is recalling Ying Feng Foodstuffs Brand Pumpkin Seeds because the product contains sulfites not listed on the label. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product. Ying Feng Foodstuffs Brand Pumpkin Seeds is sold nationwide in a 10- ounce, clear plastic package with the code EXP 03 25 2010. It is a product of China. The recall was initiated after routine sampling and laboratory testing by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets revealed the product contained sulfites. "Georgia Department of Agriculture sanitarians will be checking grocery stores and food warehouses to make sure that this product is removed from sale," said Commissioner Irvin. "Consumers who have purchased the product should return it to the place of purchase."

Q: How did the state of Georgia

get its name?

A: Georgia was named after King George II of England, who granted the state its charter in 1732. The ia suffix, meaning "state of," comes from the Greek and was placed on the end of many place names by the legacy of the Romans. The George became popular in Western Europe only after the Crusades.

Q: Are wild blueberries edible?

A: Yes. The cultivated types you buy in the store or at a blueberry farm or farmer's market are merely improved varieties of our native "wild" blueberries. The wild ones may not be as big and juicy as the cultivated types but are edible nonetheless. However, before eating any fruit or plant you are unfamiliar with, please make sure you have it accurately identified before you start adding it to your pancakes.

Q: In England I saw some beautiful, tall delphiniums. Can I grow them here?

A: Generally, the big delphiniums don't do as well in our climate as they do in England. Try larkspur instead. It is a smaller species of delphinium. Larkspur is best grown from seeds sown in September or October. It is best sown in situ (where you want the plants to grow) because it does not transplant well. It will give you blue and purple and white and pink just like the big delphiniums.

Q: How do I store Acorn squash?

A: You can wipe off any clinging soil, but don't wash the squash. Store them whole in a cool (50 to 60 degrees F), dry area. Acorn squash will keep several months if mature and stem is attached.

Q: I'm interested in starting a pine farm. At this point, I would like someone to direct me to the best source of information for this form of agricultural business.

A: While we are able to provide you with some information on pine trees and their related growth problems, the type of information you are seeking would be better obtained from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Their telephone number is 1-800- GATREES or (912) 751-3500 and their website address is www.gfc. state.ga.us.