From: PATRICIA WINKLER Date: 4/27/2010 11:46:47 AM To: iadecatu@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IADECATU] DALE CEMETERY - HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. I'm new to this but wonder how this chalking works. Are you holding the chalk sideways and rubbing on the flat part of the stone, which makes the untouched part more readable? pat ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Yes.. thus my fingernails on my right hand are worn down... smile.. Some people frown on using chalk on old headstones, but it is non-toxic and is made from calcium carbonate -- or lime.. It washes off easily.. The Lichens that grow on porous headstones made of marble and sandstone are a type of fungus that grows in mats that look like moss. I don't know if they do any damage, other than becoming so thick they have to be scraped off.. All of these types of stones age over the years.. Granite stones are completely polished and are hard, so the Lichens don't grow on them. Well, I'm not much of a Scientist, but this is my understanding anyway. Nancee