Abstract: A self feeding bunk or barrier used for permitting cattle to eat directly from stacks of forage such as hay, and which comprises a modular member having an upright, slat barrier through which the animals can feed from a forage stack that the sections surround. The barrier modules include a horizontal support deck attached to the upright barrier and held by end frames. The horizontal floor or deck is of sufficient lateral width (outwardly from the stack) so that the animal which is feeding cannot reach through the upright barrier for eating unless it is standing on the deck. The barrier module is securely held by the animal itself as it eats so that the barrier cannot be dislodged.

Abstract: A depth control for grain drills, planters or the like utilizing a press wheel which can be adjusted to control the depth of each individual furrow opener to insure uniform depth of planting across the width of wide machines presently in use.

Abstract: A motor driven inoculator is provided wherein a plurality of bacteriological transfer loops are mounted on a common head and are activated in response to the positioning of a tray of inoculum to cause the head to be lowered and then raised so that the loops pick up a sample of inoculum. The subsequent positioning of an antibiotic or antimicrobic microtube plate, etc. causes the head to be lowered and raised a second time so that the loops are lowered into the plate to place samples of inoculum in each of a plurality of wells in the plate by dispersion. The removal of the antibiotic plate initiates a sterilizing cycle wherein the head is lowered and raised a third time whereby the loops are heated to a very high temperature by passing electrical current therethrough to volatilize all material thereon and then they are subsequently air cooled prior to the beginning of the next cycle. In an alternative embodiment the inoculum on the loops may be dispersed by percussion.

Abstract: A plant stake is disclosed comprising a telescoping post supported on legs that swing pivotally from the base of the post into engagement with the ground. Ground anchor members are provided at the end of the legs for securing the post in a position such that the post may be aligned vertically by adjustment of the legs. A basket is suspended from beneath the post, the basket being used to support or grow tuberous plants. The basket is hoisted from a level slightly below ground level up to the base of the post by means of a hoist such as a threaded shaft having a rotatable flange thereon on which the basket may be secured, the threaded shaft threadably engaging either the flange or the post along the longitudinal axis of the post.

Abstract: A miniature electrical relay, particularly for telecommunications systems, has the armature releasably attached to the armature hinge spring by arranging for the armature and hinge spring to be of U formation, the ends of the legs of the armature and hinge overlapping, and with projections on one of the sets of legs engaging in recesses in the other set of legs. This avoids brazing or other more permanent ways of attachment and reduces fatigue fractures.

Abstract: A feeding control for regulating the feeding of hay or other forage crops into a grinder of the "tub" type wherein a large hopper or tub is used for feeding the forage into a rotating cylinder adjacent the bottom of the tub, and wherein the forage or hay crop is moved across the cylinder for grinding. The feed control comprises a slidable cover plate member that regulates the size of the effective inlet opening to the cylinder to control the amount of forage which can contact the cylinder at any one time.