The Illinois River runs cool and clear past this corner of Delaware County, and on a June morning the mist lifts off it before the sun clears the ridge. Todd Tackles It gets the mowing going early on days like that, cutting through the dew, then trimming the banks and borders, edging the walks, and gathering the clippings so nothing ends up in the gravel. River-bottom ground grows grass in a hurry and grows weeds just as fast, so feeding and weed control are steady work rather than an occasional favor. Fall in these hills comes down heavy with leaves, and they come off the lawns before the first hard frost mats them flat. Few things sit better than a river-country yard mowed straight and trimmed close, with the whole day still ahead of it.