Abstract: An apparatus and method to germinate and dry grain, such as oats, wheat, barley, etc. in only one apparatus under optimum conditions automatically and on an industrial scale in a short period of time. The apparatus comprises a rotatable drum having a plurality of drain holes pierced through a surface thereof and an insulating cover covering the drum for preventing heat within the drum from radiating or escaping. The apparatus also includes a sprayer for spraying water on the grain and treating structure connected to the sprayer for heating, purifying, and increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, while circulating the water to be supplied to the sprayer. A blower is also provided for heating, purifying, and blowing air into the drum. The apparatus makes it possible to produce germinated grain automatically by using electronic control devices and to produce large quantities of germinated grain in a short period of time without having to move grain from one place to another.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plant's stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.

Abstract: Disclosure of a method for aerial distribution of pollinating agents into a field by either propelling the agent through the air from the field periphery or dropping the agent into the field from above. Aerial distribution of pollinating agents is a particularly effective, efficient, and economic means for achieving uniform saturation pollination of large fields of row crops.

Abstract: The present invention entails a plant/seedling/cutting/plug growing tray and container system that includes a tray with a plurality of individual plant cells and container with each cell and container having an open top and bottom and a detachable screen bottom, and that allows plant removal either from the open bottom of the tray/container or open top of the tray/container. As plant roots emerge through an open-bottom tray or container supported above ground, the roots shrivel due to contacting dry air and temporarily suspend their growth. This bare-root growth phenomenon is known as air pruning. Proper application of root air-pruning process in conjunction with the use of properly shaped tray-cells and containers (small at the top and gradually getting larger at the bottom) significantly increases plant production, improves crop quality and promotes mechanization. Air pruning alone without the right tray and container will not provide these benefits.

Abstract: A soil- and grass seed-less sod precursor containing a non-woven bio-cellulosic fiber mat and grass sprigs. The sod precursor can be used to produce a soil-free sod which is useful for manufacturing athletic fields, golf courses and lawns.

Abstract: A tree stand (10) comprising a base (12) extending about an axis (A) and a tree support wall (14) extending about the axis (A) upwardly from the base (12) to an open top. The top of the support wall (14) and the open top of a receptacle (24) define trunk support portions (26) and liquid storage portions (28) disposed about the axis (A). The trunk support portions (26) are disposed radially closer to the axis (A) than the storage portions (28) and the support portions (26) are intermingled with and alternate the storage portions (28) circumferentially about the axis (A) and the wall (14) undulates continuously and circumferentially about the axis (A) through the support (26) and storage (28) portions.

Abstract: A cover for use with a flower pot having a floral grouping disposed therein. The cover includes a sheet of material having a sheet extension connected to an outer peripheral surface thereof. The sheet of material is formed into a pot cover for covering the flower pot and the sheet extension extends over the floral grouping.

Abstract: A plant support for supporting plants that can be inserted into the soil without deforming. The support comprises a plurality of vertical members with opposite top and bottom ends. The bottom ends are adapted to engage with and penetrate into the earth to anchor the plant support to the earth. There are at least two horizontal members having differing vertical cross-sectional diameters. The horizontal members are vertically spaced apart and attached to the vertical members along the length of the vertical members. The horizontal member attached to the vertical members closest to the bottom ends is a bottom horizontal member and has a vertical cross-sectional diameter that is larger than the other horizontal members. The horizontal members have a central opening dimensioned to allow a plant to grow through the central opening and be supported by the horizontal members.

Abstract: A decorative wrapper for a floral grouping or flower pot wherein a sheet of material having embossed and printed patterns thereon is wrapped about at least a portion of the floral grouping or flower pot. The printed pattern may be in or out of register with the embossed pattern, or a portion of the printed and embossed patterns may be in register with one another and a portion of the printed and embossed patterns may be out of register with one another. The sheet of material may be provided in the form of a pad containing a plurality of sheets of material or in the form of a roll wherein the sheets of material are separable from the roll of material.

Abstract: A Christmas tree watering apparatus which allows the tree to be watered without crawling under the tree. The apparatus includes a funnel, an upspout, two lengths of pipe, and a downspout, all supported by a stand which rests on the floor and has a loop which fits around one of the pipes to hold the apparatus in position.

Abstract: A landscape-edging device is disclosed which may be used to segregate dissimilar landscaping schemes by positioning the device into the soil. The landscape edging is made of flexible strips, designed for continuous end-to-end attachment. The edging is attached to the soil by stakes. The edging system is designed so that stakes are removably attached to the edging portion of the device. By this attachment, the stakes can be conveniently and cost effectively manufactured and shipped together with the edging portion. Stiffening ribs on the stakes increase the strength of the stakes so that they may be made from the same material and thickness as the edging portion.

Abstract: A self-contained automatic watering method and system for plants that includes a container made up of an inner and outer pot nested together to define an annular space which serves as a reservoir for water to be used for watering a plant held in the inner pot. A distributor in the form of an inclined wall is located on the container at least partially surrounding a plant held in the container. A housing is easily detachably mounted on said container and extends into the reservoir. The housing contains a pump, a motor to drive the pump, and a conduit leading from the pump to the distributor for directing water into a plant held in the inner pot, and a controller for controlling the motor to initiate watering cycles according to a preselected program regarding the frequency of watering and quantity of water.

Abstract: The invention concerns intraspecific hybrids of Agaricus bisporus capable of bearing fruit at relatively high temperature and without roughing-in, and the method for obtaining them consisting in a step of cross-breeding in particular between a first and a second Agaricus bisporus, one of which at least belongs to the burnettii variety, and a step of selecting the resulting hybrids having the characteristics mentioned above. The cultivation of the resulting hybrids is easier and less expensive than the standard method of cultivating mushrooms.

Abstract: A landscape barrier device is provided which may be used to segregate dissimilar landscaping schemes by positioning sections of the device immediately adjacent to each other. The landscape barrier device also provides an integral sprinkler system, which allows controlled watering of the landscape scheme on one side of the device by flowing water through the device and out flow ports provided on the device. Used in this manner, the device may be used to satisfy the different watering requirements of the segregated landscape schemes. Alternatively, the device may be used to provide supplemental watering to the landscape schemes on both sides of the device.

Abstract: Improved crop yields are obtained by determining total dissolved solids (TDS) in a representative sample of transplants to determine strike rate as a logarithmic function of TDS before transplanting. Juvenile plants with high strike rate readings are transplanted. A refractometer having a logarithmic scale showing low medium and high strike rates as a direct readout from a juice sample is used. A bioregulator can be used to induce high TDS levels prior to transplanting. Particular application is to transplanting strawberry runners.

Abstract: An improvement in a method of propagating, and an article useful in association with, or produced by, the method of propagating. Plants are produced in mats by steps including: providing a bottom net made of a material that is pervious to moisture, positioning a sheet of a fabric, depositing a layer of planting medium on said fabric, spreading viable wildflower seed over said medium, moistening said medium and said seeds, germinating seeds in the medium, such that roots of seedlings from said seeds intermesh with the fabric forming a sod mat; wherein the bottom net is sufficiently pervious to permit essentially unimpeded root contact with earth below the bottom net.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of preparing a sports surface comprising a transportable turf grass. A sand based root zone medium is employed for the production of the transportable turf grass on a barrier at a place other than the sports site. The present invention is also directed to the sports surfaces made by the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A mulching structure for covering the soil around the stem of a growing plant and over the roots thereof to screen sunlight from the adjacent soil and thus minimize the growth of weeds. The mulching structure also allows water from irrigation or rain to flow therethrough to the soil. The mulching structure includes a first wall made out of a substantially impermeable material. The first wall is provided with a first wall aperture extending therethrough. The mulching structure also includes a second wall made out of a substantially impermeable material. The second wall has a second wall aperture extending therethrough. A wall spacing structure extends between the first and second walls for maintaining the latter in a spaced relationship relative to each other. The mulching structure is so configured as to allow through flow of the water between the first and second wall apertures while preventing through passage of the light rays from the first wall outer surface to the second wall outer surface.

Abstract: A mat for use in horticultural applications is formed of shredded paper. The mat is formed by treating the paper with an adhesive, depositing the paper onto a conveyor, compressing the paper between rollers, and drying the paper using dryers. The mat may also incorporate seed or other additives such as fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides.