Abstract: According to the present invention, insulating paper immersed in an oil is heated and deteriorated at a temperature up to 110° C. which is in an operating temperature region for an oil-filled electric apparatus, and the value of the degree of the polymerization which decreases with the deterioration of the insulating paper and amount of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide which is generated by the heat decomposition of the insulating paper and which is dissolved in the insulating oil are used to observe the generation rate thereof. The present invention is a method of evaluating deterioration characteristics of insulating paper from the change of the degree of polymerization with passage of time and from the temperature dependence of the gas generation rate. The deterioration of the insulating paper has different aspects in the regions higher and lower than 110° C., and the deterioration characteristics of the insulating paper on the low temperature side can be accurately evaluated.

Abstract: A method of plant cultivation and growth acceleration includes enclosing the plants within a reflective chamber, controlling the CO.sub.2 concentration within said chamber so as to be at least 200 ppm, and irradiating the plants substantially omnidirectionally with a light intensity of approximately 3000 lux, while stably regulating the ambient temperature, relative humidity and nutrient supply.

Abstract: A system for the automated cultivation of plants includes a plurality of guide rail pairs which support conveyor driven jigs carrying individual plants thereon. As the plants are driven by the conveyors, the driving elements or dogs on successive conveyors are increasingly spaced, so as to allow for the steady growth of the plants. The guide rails are arranged in a radial array to allow for increasing side-wise plant clearance, and are orificed as a means of providing the plants with air and nutrients.