Abstract: A device for holding and stabilizing nursery pots to protect against blowover from wind and rain. The device comprises a circular base having a central cavity, upwardly extending vertical projections attached to the base and openings between the vertical projections for placement of stakes for securing the device above the ground. The device may further include a ring encircling and attached to the vertical supports for added stabilization.

Abstract: A hanging planter having a bowl shaped container and a suspension assembly is provided. The suspension assembly comprises a plurality of stringers the lower ends of which are attached to the rim of the container. The upper end of the stringers are joined together in a rim shaped hub to which is removably connected a hook so that the hook and stringer assembly are rotatable relative to each other.

Abstract: A sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery, a plurality of indentations in the outer periphery, portions of the sheet of material surrounding the indentations overlapping to form an article having a substantially smooth outer peripheral surface. Methods of forming and using an article, such as a flower pot cover article.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the pot or item.

Abstract: A method for drying grapes from a vineyard using vertical supports extending above the rows of grapevines and porous horizontal trays extending above the grapevines along each row supported by the vertical supports. A black plastic porous tray material defines the trays which stretch between parallel wires supported by a periodic structure for spreading the wires. The tray material may be wrapped about the wires at its outer edges and held by synthetic materials which adhere when pressed together.

Abstract: A burner unit suitable for use in the burning of blueberry bushes comprises a frame having a front end attachable to a vehicle and a support device such as a roller for supporting the frame above the ground, the rear end of the frame carrying a generally vertically orientated combustion chamber supported above the ground. At least a part of the combustion chamber diverges laterally from an upper end towards a bottom outlet while maintaining a relatively narrow fore-and-aft dimension throughout its height, and such that the bottom outlet has a fore-and-aft dimension less than a quarter its width. An oil burner is mounted at the upper end of the combustion chamber and is directed downwardly, the shape of the combustion chamber and the positioning of the burner being such that flames from the burner are distributed across the width of the outlet, and are capable of producing temperatures at ground level suitable for flame cultivation of blueberry bushes, over the whole width of the frame.

Abstract: A tree trunk protector includes a pair of elongate upright members, each of which has opposing end portions. Each of the upright members defines a pair of upright edges such that respective pairs of the upright edges are engageable with one another to form an elongate opening suitable to surround the lower portion of the tree and the elongate opening is substantially the same size along the length of the upright members. Each end portion of each of the upright members defines a respective integral flange that includes a pair of faces where respective pairs of the faces are in face to face abutment when the upright edges are engaged with one another. Each of the faces of the integral flanges define a projection and a hole located such that the projection of one flange is engaged in the hole of another flange when the upright members are engaged with one another.

Abstract: A support plate for flower pots in which water is stored and hidden in an open space between an upper plate element and a lower plate element. If too much water accumulates, a drain hole provided in a lower side of an annular peripheral wall surrounding the upper and lower plate elements can be opened by removing a removable stop so as to drain water accumulated in an open space.

Abstract: A greenhouse and a method for controlling the environment of the interior space of the greenhouse is disclosed. The greenhouse (10) includes an interior insulative panel (22,23) and an exterior reflective panel (26) capable of insulating the interior of the greenhouse and reflecting sunlight into the interior. The greenhouse also includes a closed-system heat exchanger (30,31) having a plurality of spaced water-impermeable water flow passageways (60) through which water flows by gravitational forces and having a means for blowing air (65) between the water flow passageways (60) such that the air does not contact the water and such that the air is either heated or cooled by the water. In addition, the heat exchanger (30,31) may include a water discharge (71) and/or a gas discharge for the control of humidity and gas levels within the greenhouse.

Abstract: An access ladder assembly for an agricultural machine having a body with an elevated operator's station. The ladder assembly includes a ladder that is mounted to the frame of the machine by a pivot mechanism that allows the ladder to be moved in either rotational direction about both a generally horizontal axis and a generally vertical axis. A locking mechanism releasably holds the ladder in an angularly adjusted position about both of these axes. A release mechanism conveniently located relative to the operator's station controls operation of the locking mechanism. The ladder assembly further includes rail structure carried by the ladder and movable about a generally vertical axis to either of two adjusted positions.

Abstract: Grafting a scion on a stock is effected by opening a chuck and inserting bar-like members in a storage chamber successively into the chuck with the front end of such bar-like members protruding out of a front end hole 5D, 105D, closing the chuck 4, 104 to thereby hold the bar-like member 2, inserting the front end of the protruding bar-like member 2 into a graft joint end of the stock, separating the grafting device from the bar-like member, and inserting the other end of the bar-like member into a graft joint end of the scion so as to abut the graft joint ends of the stock and scion against each other. The bar-like member can be simply and rapidly inserted into the stock, so that abutment between the stock and scion can be effected with extreme ease.

Abstract: An improved direct seeding shelter is disclosed. The shelter comprises a base, a side wall, a top including a cylindrical portion and a displaceable cover that is operable, in a first position, to prevent a seed from passing from the interior of the shelter to the exterior of the shelter, through the shelter top. The shelter can be pre-seeded by inverting the shelter, positioning the displaceable cover in the first position, depositing at least one seed into the shelter and into the cylindrical portion, positioning a seed retainer in the cylindrical portion so that the retainer is frictionally engaged therein and is operable with the displaceable cover to define a seed pocket. Direct or spot seeding with the pre-seeded shelter is easily carried out by setting the shelter in the soil and depressing the at least one flap to dislodge the seed retainer. The dislodged seed and the seed retainer fall by gravity to the seeding spot.

Abstract: A plant feeder having a water reservoir and a water conduit connected to the reservoir at one end. The other end of the water conduit is adapted to be positioned adjacent the roots of a plant to be fed. The water conduit has a water permeable plug with water soluble plant food therein whereby water can percolate through the conduit from the reservoir to the roots dissolving plant food on its way, and air and insects are blocked from migrating to the roots.The method provides placing the other conduit end of the plant feeder of the invention below the roots of a recently transplanted plant, percolating water from the reservoir to the roots through water soluble plant food, and blocking the migration of air and insects to the roots through the conduit.

Abstract: A tree trunk shielding device including a cover member. The cover member has a first end edge, a second end edge and a pair of side edges. The cover member has a plurality of alternating folds between the pair of side edges and extending a width of the cover member. Eight rod channels are proportionately spaced between the alternating folds of the cover member. A plurality of snap fastener assemblies are attached to the cover member for securing the cover member around a bottom of a tree trunk. Lastly, eight rod members are positioned through one of the rod channels of the cover member and within the ground when the cover member is secured around the bottom of the tree trunk.

Abstract: A self-watering plant holder including a container constructed for holding a quantity of liquid for watering a plant. The container has an opening generally in the top of the container permitting access to the quantity of liquid contained therein, and a first coupling component. The plant holder further includes a pot constructed to hold the plant holder therein. The pot is sized for close-fitting reception in the container opening and includes a second coupling component interengageable with the first coupling component of the container for drawing the pot into tight, substantially sealing engagement with the container thereby to substantially close the opening in the container for preventing liquid in the container from escaping the container.

Abstract: A plant sprouting apparatus for continuously supplying moisture to seeds, seedlings or plants to enhance the germination and growth of the seeds, seedlings and plants. The plant sprouting apparatus comprises an outer container having moisture therein, a connecting ring, an inner container having soil and seeds, seedlings or plants therein in communication with the outer container, a reinforcing ring, and a cover or dome.

Abstract: A spring scale adapted to weigh containers carrying fluids. In particular, there is a scale for holding hanging plants that indicates when it is time to water the hanging plant. The hanging plant scale has a visual indicator that informs when the plant needs to be watered. Specifically, the visual indicator is a humming bird and a flower. When the humming bird's beak is inserted into the flower a user will know that the plant contains enough water, and when the humming bird is far from the flower it is indicated that the plant needs watering.

Abstract: A device for stringing and supporting growing plants, such as tomato plants, and which is manually operable by a workman includes a handheld, elongated pole having a handle end, an opposite dispensing end, a tip member having an aperture and which is secured to the dispensing end, and a plurality of brackets having eyelets positioned adjacent the handle end and projecting perpendicular from the pole. Further included is a container for attachment to the workman's belt and disposed within the container is a rotatable ball of string which is dispensed from the container during the stringing of the plants.

Abstract: An area scheduled for visiting by persons desiring to pay homage to a deceased human features a group of identified trees, each planted to be an embodiment of the ongoing life of a particular human who has died. A precursor of a tree, such as a seed or a seedling, is planted in a nutrient composition featuring the dirt-like material, preferably ashes, derived from the remains of said deceased human. The Treelets are nurtured during a period of significant growth in the said nutrient composition.

Abstract: An improved cut plant watering apparatus for detecting and indicating a predetermined water fill level to prevent overfilling and spillage when watering a cut plant, such as a Christmas tree, mounted in a container comprising a conduit for carrying water from a fill location to the container, an indicator in communication with and responsive to a detector that, when used to fill the container with water, indicates that the predetermined water level has been reached so that a person does not inadvertently overfill the container, thereby eliminating water damage to surrounding objects or to the carpet and floor.