ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, November 26, 1996             TAG: 9611260129
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MEGAN SCHNABEL

INVESTORS BUY HALF OF DRAGON CORP.

Dragon Corp., a Roanoke maker of lawn and garden products, has completed the sale of more than half the company to Blue Ridge Investors of Greensboro, N.C., the investment group said Monday.

Dragon, founded in 1897, makes insecticides, fertilizers and other horticultural products sold through farm supply and hardware stores. Its annual sales are in the $12 million to $15 million range, said Edward Crawford, chairman of Blue Ridge Investors.

James Wilson, whose father-in-law bought Dragon in 1956, will remain chairman. Steve Ehart, previously with Ortho, has been named president. No changes will be made in day-to-day operations, Crawford said. Several smaller investors also were involved in the transaction, he said.

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