Abstract: A sugar cane billet planter has a main bin and a sorter bin adjacent the main bin. Billets are moved by a main bin elevator from the main bin to the sorter bin and, thence, by a sorter bin elevator from the sorter bin to a billet chute. The elevator used to convey billets from the sorter bin to the billet chute uses a chain with conveyor fingers, each finger carrying an individual billet in an end-to-end relationship with adjacent billets. Sorter fingers project perpendicularly from the chain, align the billets within the sorter bin and allow them to be carried by the conveyor fingers. The chains and conveyor fingers are operable within a recess of a width slightly greater than the width of the chain and conveyor fingers.

Abstract: Disk openers and corresponding pivoting press wheels are mounted in gangs on the rear frame portion of a tillage implement such as a field cultivator. Individual press wheel gangs are pivotally connected to the frame by standards which are biased downwardly by spring bracket assemblies. Each gang of openers is connected to the corresponding press wheel drawbars rearwardly of the pivot so that the pivot center of each opener is dependent on press wheel position. Opener down pressure springs act through an effective moment arm which decreases as the press wheel gang pivots upwardly to provide uniform opener depth penetration on uneven ground such as where terraces exist. An air distribution system delivers seed from a tank mounted on the cultivator to the disk openers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroponic culture method for animal food, regrouping semi-automatically and in a single device, five germinating operations, on superimposed trays, namely, propagating the seeds on the trays, soaking said seed directly on said trays, programmed irrigating of the seeds and roots, heating by way of electrical elements incorporated in the trays, and if necessary injecting nutrient solutions by quantity-controlling pumps.The invention further relates to the device usable for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A method and system for implanting a gift or message within a blooming plant includes removing a plug from the base portion of a plant bud to form a channel therein through which a gift or message is implanted within a central portion of the plant. The plug is replaced and sealed with grafting wax. Upon subsequent blooming of the plant, the gift or message is displayed to open sight.

Abstract: A herbicide spreader is provided for pulling by a farm tractor over a tilled field. The herbicide spreader is provided with a pump for projecting water spray from nozzles down against the surface of the earth. Further nozzles and an air compressor apparatus air provided forwardly and rearwardly of the water jets for projecting air jets against the surface of the earth forwardly of the herbicide laden jets to clear rubble from the path of the water jets, and trailing air jets blow the herbicide laden water down into the earth.

Abstract: An improved fertilizer distribution system including a bottom fed distributor manifold for insuring the agitation of the liquid fertilizers and a liquid manometer indicating relative internal pressure. Detachable inlet and outlet assemblies permit the changing of orifices mounted therein so as to accommodate system requirements. The manifold chamber and the individual outlet assemblies are open to the atmosphere to facilitate drain down and flow through the outlet assemblies.

Abstract: A puppet or doll having a plurality of articulated limbs and a pistol grip attached to the puppet body for selectively activating the limbs. The limbs are pivotally connected to the puppet body and the grip includes openings therein for insertion of one's fingers and trigger assemblies actuable from the openings connected to the limbs by strings for activating the same.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of growing a biomass in an aquaculture medium comprising enclosing the aquaculture medium containing seed amounts of a biomass in an enclosure in which the medium containing the biomass fills one-half of the enclosure and a CO.sub.2 and air gaseous layer is above the medium and fills the other one half, growing the biomass in the medium within the enclosure in a predetermined growing cycle enhancing growth of the biomass in the medium by exposing it to continuous agitation by agitation means heat, by heating means, and illumination by a light source capable of causing photosynthesis in the biomass, and whereby CO.sub.2 consumed from the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis in the biomass is continuously replenished by a CO.sub.2 enrichment means and oxygen produced to the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis is extracted by extraction means.

Abstract: A hydraulic weeding apparatus consisting of an elongated hollow tubular shaft being attached to a hand grip type body having a coupling for attaching the device to a source of pressurized fluid such as a common garden hose. A positionally adjustable, hook-type gripping device is spaced from the open end of said tube and is arranged with an outwardly extending free end which is arranged to encircle and grip the base of a weed root when the shaft is rotated. A splash shield is positioned above the gripping device to prevent the fluid from flowing upwardly along the shaft so as to protect the user. A valve can be provided in the body of the device for controlling the flow of fluid through the tubular shaft whereby the open end of the shaft can be inserted adjacent to the root of a weed to a depth where the gripping device can attach to the loose weed so as to easily remove it.

Abstract: A rotary applicator for applying herbicides or other chemicals to vegetation is described. The applicator is especially useful for use in fruit orchards, nurseries and around any plant or bush that grows on or from a stem or trunk above ground.

Abstract: A machine for burying slurry, sewage, or other soil-improving fluids has a hollow straight forward-leaning tine which carries at its bottom end an arched, forward-sloping delta-shaped shoe for lifting the soil into the form of a tunnel. The hollow interior of the tine opens through the roof of this shoe, and slurry is delivered through the tine into the cavity under the shoe. A free-running vibrator on the tine vibrates it and the shoe vertically. The tine is resiliently loaded by a spring to its working position, and the reaction of the spring is applied directly to a reaction lever separately pivoted on a subframe carrying the tine. The spring reaction biases the lever downwards, and the lever is supported at its rearward end behind the tine by a roller which closes the slit formed by the tapered leading edge of the tine.

Abstract: A seedling transplanting implement is provided with increased versatility by substituting a yieldable rubber-like extremity portion on one of a pair of mechanical transplanting fingers. The yieldable finger portion can ride over the top of a planted seedling without causing injury to the planting and thereby enable seedlings to be planted in a row at spacings of two inches or less as compared to spacings of about fourteen inches necessary with similar implements embodying mechanically rigid planting fingers.

Abstract: A herbicide wand and method for making, the wand having a tubular member adapted to receive liquid herbicide and provided with a plurality of bores of predetermined diameter, an emitter of braided cord having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the bores when untensioned and smaller when tensioned, the emitter being threaded through the member in slidable engagement with its wall so that the member has portions within the member immersed in the herbicide and has portions outward of the member to apply the herbicide and the method including forming a plurality of emitters from a length of such cord with each emitter having an integral needle for threading it through such bores.

Abstract: A system for holding down horticultural plastic sheet provides a fastener and tool for driving and removing the fastener; the fastener may be an inverted "L" shape or in "T" shape or in inverted "W" shape according to embodiment with the lower portion wedge shaped and the upper portion held in a form-fitting socket in the head from which it can be removed by sliding in either of two directions or by springing apart of jaws of the tool to release the fastener; special cleat structure helps secure plastic sheet to the earth; in the "T" shaped embodiment and the "W" shaped embodiment, the fastener can hold two or more plastic sheets adjacently laid.