Abstract: A method of sowing seed (including fertilized pellets, particles, crystals and the like) including accelerating the seed to a speed in the supersonic range and directing the so moving seed to impinge on penetrable sowing ground so that the seed penetrates the ground to approximately the desired depth. The operation is carried out in a relatively low pressure environment and a feature of the operation is that the seed can penetrate the ground without substantial damage to the seed. Appropriate apparatus is provide to accelerate the seed to the supersonic speed range in a low pressure environment, and in one example this includes a rotor wheel receiving seed appropriately from a supply source, a sufficient rotary speed being imparted to the wheel for the necessary acceleration of the seed which is discharged via an outlet in the wheel.

Abstract: An orifice discharge device is provided for use in crop spraying aircraft to provide a downward spray of treatment substance especially liquid for crop or ground treatment. The device comprises an air passage having an inlet portion with a bell mouth, and an outlet portion having an Outlet discharge extending laterally relative to the inlet portion of the air passage, an elbow portion being provided between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. Treatment substance is supplied by a supply conduit to the outlet portion for discharge via a discharge nozzle of the supply conduit. In use, the inlet portion receives a horizontal flow of air and a high velocity downwards discharge of air with treatment substance (liquid particles) occurs from the outlet discharge of the outlet portion of the air passage. The device is preferably of streamline form.

Abstract: A heat-transfer panel or sheet material comprises a woven wire mesh core of high thermal conductivity metal, for example copper or nickel, embedded in a closure layer of plastics material, for example a urethane, so that the mesh and the closure layer extend in the same longitudinal direction. The mesh core defines a nodal network and the nodes are located at or closely adjacent the outer surfaces of the closure layer so that satisfactory heat transfer between opposite sides of the panel is achieved over the whole outer surface area of the panel by virtue of heat conduction by the mesh core.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of processing seeds or cereal to accelerate natural germination in which a bed of seeds or cereal are steeped in water which is oxygenated by circulation therethrough of a stream of oxygenated air, the temperature of the bed is controlled during steeping by cooling the circulating oxygenated air, the body of water is drained from the bed, oxygenated air is passed through the bed to dry the seeds or cereal, and the temperature of the bed is controlled during the drying step whereby the bed of seeds or cereal is pregerminated.Advantages of the invention are that the seeds or cereal are in a condition ready for immediate germination when required but may be stored for a indefinite period of time. Also when the seeds or cereal are or is planted they can grow immediately since they have the correct moisture uptake, and further the germination and original growth phases are uniformly and actively promoted by the oxygenated reaction.