Guarantor Subsidiaries And Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 267,287	$ 35,950	$ 134,276
Capital expenditures	(95,640)	(68,957)	(106,491)
Acquisition of businesses	(62,344)	(15,870)	(38,170)
Cash received from sale of real property		8,920
Other investing activities, net	(204)	(7,645)	36
Net cash used in investing activities	(158,188)	(83,552)	(144,625)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(31,000)
Repurchase of common stock		(14,999)	(22,367)
Proceeds from borrowings under non-recourse real estate financings			9,013
Payments of Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings			(58,407)
Proceeds from borrowings under other long-term debt	189,000	140,962	67,280
Payments of other long-term debt	(226,861)	(106,309)	(82,632)
Proceeds from borrowings under the 6.50% Notes	390,000
Payments of tender of 6.75% Notes	(390,000)
Payment of financing costs	(12,400)
Dividends paid	(5,411)
Other financing activities, net	1,971	4,395	4,415
Net cash used in financing activities	(53,701)	(6,951)	(82,698)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	55,398	(54,553)	(93,047)
Beginning of period	14,745	69,298	162,345
End of period	70,143	14,745	69,298
Parent Company [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(2,659)	4,428	(11,385)
Acquisition of businesses		2,193
Net cash used in investing activities		2,193
Repurchase of common stock		(14,999)	(22,367)
Proceeds from borrowings under the 6.50% Notes	390,000
Payments of tender of 6.75% Notes	(390,000)
Payment of financing costs	(9,331)
Dividends paid	(5,411)
Other financing activities, net	1,319	1,109	742
Advances	16,082	7,269	33,010
Net cash used in financing activities	2,659	(6,621)	11,385
100% Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	268,602	31,943	148,703
Capital expenditures	(95,568)	(67,544)	(106,145)
Acquisition of businesses	(62,344)	(18,063)	(38,170)
Cash received from sale of real property		8,920
Other investing activities, net	(204)	(145)	36
Net cash used in investing activities	(158,116)	(76,832)	(144,279)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(31,000)
Proceeds from borrowings under non-recourse real estate financings			9,013
Payments of Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings			(58,407)
Proceeds from borrowings under other long-term debt	189,000	140,962	67,280
Payments of other long-term debt	(226,674)	(106,132)	(82,464)
Payment of financing costs	(3,069)
Other financing activities, net	(1,055)	(7,042)	2,582
Advances	(16,638)	(7,269)	(33,010)
Net cash used in financing activities	(58,436)	(10,481)	(95,006)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	52,050	(55,370)	(90,582)
Beginning of period	11,315	66,685	157,267
End of period	63,365	11,315	66,685
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,344	(421)	(3,042)
Capital expenditures	(72)	(1,413)	(346)
Other investing activities, net		(7,500)
Net cash used in investing activities	(72)	(8,913)	(346)
Payments of other long-term debt	(187)	(177)	(168)
Other financing activities, net	1,707	10,328	1,091
Advances	556
Net cash used in financing activities	2,076	10,151	923
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,348	817	(2,465)
Beginning of period	3,430	2,613	5,078
End of period	$ 6,778	$ 3,430	$ 2,613