Abstract: A device for encapsulating seeds in a gel. A nozzle with dual vertical, rectilinear, concentric tubes--i.e., an inner tube and an outer tube--is supplied with gel that is fed into the outer tube. The gel goes down the outer tube to an outlet from the inner tube, so that a meniscus of gel is stretched across the outlet. Singulated seeds are fed into an inlet of the inner tube, so that each seed--and only one--drops down upon a meniscus of gel. A slight puff of air is caused to pass down the inner tube and slightly inflate the meniscus upon which a seed has dropped. More gel is fed, to cause the meniscus to separate from the outlet and form a drop of gel with a seed inside, which drops down into a fixative bath that causes the gel to set.

Abstract: A rough terrain vehicle has a frame for supporting lading and equipment especially adapted for off-road, rough country use. The frame is supported on four wheels through pivot arms and hydraulically interconnected expansible chambers subject to manual hydraulic control. The vehicle is preferably self-propelled by an engine that also drives the hydraulic mechanism.

Abstract: A deformeter for testing the firmness of fruit as an indication of its maturity includes a support for an individual fruit effective to convey the fruit to a testing location, at which sensors are urged to contact the fruit surface lightly, preferably on a diameter, to establish a datum position. The sensors are then urged to contact the fruit with a predetermined, deforming pressure. At least one more sensor moves correspondingly into the fruit to establish an indented position. The two sensor positions are electrically noted and are subtracted to afford an indented distance from datum position indicative of firmness and so maturity. A modification uses a pair of first sensors arranged on opposite sides of the fruit in a trailing position, the pairs operating in sequence and being arranged with all sensors substantially in the same, vertically adjustable plane.