Micheal Horsford:pro's can sharpen a chain in a few minsgarrisonaw: + Michael Horsford Yes, a pro can sharpen a chain in a few minutes. I know -

I've been a pro for a long time. (I've also watched pros ruin a chain in a few minutes when they thought they were sharpening it, but that's a whole nother story.)

But if you get in the dirt too much, you end up with several problems - and a dull chain is the least of them. 1) The sand wears out the joints in the chain, 

For a green stump, drill holes, fill with sodium chlorate,plug with putty, leave for six months, set fire to stump, watch your garden collapse...

Here's an actual easy way to burn out a stump. It's called charcoal. Let the stump dry out for about a year, no drilling. If it's in your yard, cut off the stump as close to the ground as possible. dig out around the root runners and expose the ones closest to the surface. Line the stump and roots with charcoal. It will take several bags, but cheap charcoal works just fine.

A single layer over the roots and up the sides and double or triple layers over the top. Use regular lighter fluid, soak coals and light. It will flame for a while, but will eventually reduce to a slow smolder.

I live in the city and burned out 3 stumps last year in my front yard. I just camped out in a chair while it flamed and was eventually able to leave it alone only to check on it every hour or so. It burned overnight with an orange glow, but did not spread anywhere. Never even had the cops or FD called on me. I spent about $80 in charcoal and lighter fluid to take out 3 stumps. Fairly cheap!