Abstract: A novel coating for crop seeds is disclosed which serves to delay germination of the seeds after planting thereof for significant periods of time (such as over the winter months), and thereafter allows germination and plant development in the normal manner. The preferred seed coatings include a relatively rigid, dried residue of a synthetic resin (e.g., an epoxide) which is filled with a material such as a hydrate former which slowly reacts with moisture from the earth and expands, so that the resin coating will rupture and allow seed germination when soil and climatic conditions are conducive to plant growth. It has also been discovered that a preferred precoating comprising methyl cellulose serves to enhance plant growth and hardiness, particularly in the period shortly after emergence.

Abstract: A rotatable flail-type agricultural implement is disclosed which includes a central axle and a plurality of radially and circumferentially spaced, flexible, hammer-supporting chains presenting a plurality of ground crop-engaging flails upon rotation of the axle. The axle is preferably composed of a pair of elongated, telescopically interfitted sections, at least one of which is shiftable, such that the effective width of the implement can be varied to accommodate different crop row spacings. In addition, the axle sections include complemental, spiral key and keyway structure for maintaining the flexible hammer chains in a substantially constant, spaced relationship to the central axle, irrespective of variances in the axle length.