Abstract: A new apparatus which dispenses liquid agricultural chemicals upon physical contact with foliage and recovers excess chemical for reuse is disclosed. A hollow horizontal cylindrical chamber with an opened section forms a mounting means. An expanded metal section with an external fabric covering is affixed over the opening. Means is provided for spraying agricultural chemical onto the fabric, recovering and recirculating the excess chemical for reuse, and moving the saturated fabric into contact with foliage or plants.

Abstract: A novel process for increasing the solubility of dry oilseed protein is dlosed. Proteins, such as, peanut, pumpkin, and soybean are mixed with 30% hydrogen peroxide at about 1:20 ratio. The mixture is centrifuged at approximately 2000 g for about 15 minutes to clarify the solution. The supernatant is dialyzed against water containing catalase and the dialysate is freeze-dried.

Abstract: A process for using glycolic acid derivatives to control antimicrobial activity is disclosed. The process comprises: Contacting a microbe with an antimicrobial composition containing, as its active ingredient, a member selected from the group consisting of N,N-bis(pelargonoyloxyethyl)pelargonoyloxyacetamide, N,N-bis(lauroyloxyethyl)lauroyloxyacetamide, N,N-bis (oleoyloxyethyl)oleoyloxyacetamide, N,N-bis(trimethylacetyloxyethyl)trimethylacetylacetamide, carboethoxymethyl hydrocinnamate, and bis(carbomethoxymethyl) adipate.

Abstract: A new apparatus for the application of liquid chemicals to plants is disclosed. Plants are treated by selectively contacting a wick saturated with chemical solution. As the chemical is deposited on plants, the solution in the wick is replenished by gravitational flow and capillary action from a reservoir at the upper end of the diagonally-positioned wick. Excess chemical not applied to plants is dripped from the lower end of the wick into a collection reservoir from where it can be recovered and recycled for reuse. Adequate mounting and support is provided for all the salient parts to allow for positioning and portability.

Abstract: A method for separating/classifying closed bolls of a given variety of cotton by maturity is disclosed. Harvested, unopened cotton bolls are immersed in a series of solutions having a specific gravity of less than one. The bolls of cotton are thus identified and separated by means of the different specific gravity readings. The specific gravity readings are correlated with the moisture content of the bolls and subsequently the maturity dates of the cotton. Additional steps for cleaning, washing and drying are provided as needed. Alcohol/water solutions are utilized to prepare solutions with specific gravities of 0.8379 to 0.9455.

Abstract: A process by which 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione (pyrithione) can be deposited in cellulosic textiles in a water-insoluble form is disclosed. A polyamine is used to keep a zinc complex of pyrithione in aqueous solution prior to and during its application to textiles; when the solution also contains urea, heating fabric impregnated with the solution converts the pyrithione complex to an insoluble material. Fabric treated by the process has high bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity, and retains antimicrobial properties after repeated laundering.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for biological control of multiple plant weeds, prickly sida, velvetleaf, and spurred anoda. The control is accomplished using a specific host strain of the fungus Fusarium lateritium to produce typical lesions in and kill the multiple weeds. Fusarium lateritium is on deposit with the USDA-SEA-AR Southern Weed Science Laboratory in Stoneville, Miss.; the Fusarium Research Center, Pennsylvania State University (Collection No. L-105); and with the Agriculture Research Culture Collection (NRRL), Peoria, Ill., and assigned the #12552.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting cellulose to amino acids by radiofrequency plasma of nitrogen and hydrogen gases. Cellulose is placed between the electrodes in a radiofrequency plasma reaction chamber which is sealed and maintained at a reduced pressure. Hydrogen and nitrogen mixture is bled through the chamber and sufficient radiofrequency electric current applied until the cellulose is consumed, thereby producing a mixture of amino acids. The cellulose can be either cotton or wood derivatives.

Abstract: A unique method for detecting and sampling flying insect populations is disclosed. An agricultural area is baited with a specific sex pheromone of a specific flying insect. When the flying insect is lured into range of the bait, a low-frequency sound is transmitted into contact with the insect. The sound is received in a counting means and the detection of the insect stored. Accumulated detections over a period of time form a population sampling of the insect studied.

Abstract: Alginate gel beads containing bioactive materials dispersed therein are the product and the process of this invention. These beads can be made to either float or sink in aqueous environments, and are capable of providing the controlled release of their bioactive materials when applied to terrestrial or aqueous environments.

Abstract: A new apparatus for the application of liquid chemicals to soil is disclosed. A hand tool opens a slit in the soil by means of an injector blade and places a chemical-laden filament in the slit. The chemical-laden filament is dispensed from a floating spool in a fluid reservoir, through a conduit and to the soil. A handle provides both support for the reservoir and the injector knife as well as a working means for opening the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling staple fibers containing foreign matter is disclosed. A clamping device is provided comprising upper and lower jaws pivoted with respect to each other. The upper jaw is segmented on one end to allow for localized deflection of the individual segments when foreign material is present. On the other end a spring assembly is provided to insure proper clamping pressure during and after the taking of a sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for biological control of multiple plant weeds, sicklepod, showy crotalaria, and coffee senna. The control is accomplished using a specific host strain of the fungus Alternaria cassiae to produce typical lesions in and kill the multiple weeds. Alternaria cassiae is on deposit with the USDA-SEA-AR Southern Weed Science Laboratory in Stoneville, Mississippi; the Mycological Services, Botany Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and with the Agricultural Research Culture Collection (NRRC), Peoria, Illinois and assigned the #12553.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the treatment of cellulose containing fabrics with inorganic phosphorylating agents to obtain durable press or smooth drying fabrics. The method involves treating the cellulose-containing material with 8-16% of an inorganic phosphate, 16-32% of urea, 0.5-2.0% of a catronically emulsified polyethylene fabric softener, 0-6% of a polyacrylate or suitable polymer emulsion (glass transition temperature: -20.degree. to -43.degree. C.), and then drying the fabric at 60.degree.-100.degree. C. for 3-7 minutes. The fabric is crosslinked to obtain durable press or smooth drying properties by curing at 160.degree.-170.degree. C. for 3-9 minutes.

Abstract: The alkali metal salts of fatty acids (soaps) remaining in fatty acid ester products after interesterification and other processing steps are decomposed by dissolving the fatty acid ester product in a suitable solvent, adding water, saturating the mixture with carbon dioxide, removing the water phase containing excess carbon dioxide and bicarbonate of the alkali metal, converting the bicarbonate into carbonate, and using the carbonate in refining, interesterification and other reactions in the processing of fatty acid esters.

Abstract: Zwitterions are employed as catalysts in a chemical finishing process to treat cellulosic textiles with crosslinking agents and produce easy-care properties in the finished materials. The process comprises treatment of the textile material, such as cotton fabric, by impregnating it with a solution containing a cellulose-crosslinking agent and, as catalyst a zwitterion, alone or in combination with a magnesium salt, drying and curing the fabric. Said finished fabrics are characterized by an unusual combination of useful, desirable properties--smooth-drying appearance, wrinkle resistance, serviceable strength, and inoffensive formaldehyde release.

Abstract: The title compounds, having the formula (RO.sub.2 CNHCH.sub.2).sub.3 PY where Y=oxygen or sulfur, are prepared by reacting a tris(N-carbalkoxylaminomethyl)phosphine, having the formula (RO.sub.2 CNHCH.sub.2).sub.3 P, with an oxidizing or sulfurizing agent. The products, after methylolation with formaldehyde, are useful as finishing agents for imparting flame retardant properties to cotton fabrics.

Abstract: An apparatus to uniformly wrap filament around the surface of a spun core yarn is disclosed. Means for fabricating a core yarn is provided. At the critical point of yarn fabrication, the spun core is simultaneously twisted or rotated on its longitudinal axis by means of ring spinning and contacted with a filament introduced by means of over-feed rollers. Helical wrapping of the filament around the surface of the staple core yarn takes place as the filament cohesively contacts the twisting core yarn to form a composite filament wound yarn.

Abstract: This invention relates to the transfer printing of cellulosic fabric by in situ polymerization of monomers to form polyamides and polyesters. The process involves treating the fabric with a diamine or bisphenol and then treating with a diacid chloride, drying, rinsing with neutralizing agent, and then heat transfer printing the fabric after drying. The reverse procedure can also be employed in which case the fabric is treated initially with the diacid chloride.

Abstract: A process for improving the radiation resistance of cellulosic fabrics is disclosed. Fabric is immersed first in a 23% caustic solution for 15 minutes and then in a 5% caustic solution for 15 minutes. The excess caustic is removed and the fabric padded to 105% wet-pickup using neutralized pentafluorobenzoic acid. The fabric is then cured at 130.degree.-140.degree. C. for 6-8 minutes.