Abstract: A stone cutting system for efficiently cutting stones of various shapes and sizes. The stone cutting system includes a retaining unit having a plurality of troughs capable of retaining a plurality of stone members, and a cutting unit having a plurality of blades that are extendable within each of the troughs for cutting the stone members.

Abstract: A seed planter unit includes a frame adapted for connection to a prime mover, a furrow opener carried on the frame for opening a furrow in the grond in response to advancing movement of the frame, a seed tape dispenser operative to support an elongated biodegradable seed laden tape, structure for directing the tape downwardly from the dispenser into ground engagement behind the furrow opener and a first press wheel carried on the frame at a position to roll over the dispensed tape and hold it in a generally stationary position against the ground in response to advancing movement of the frame. Soil covering discs and a second press wheel may follow the first press wheel for burying and stabilizing the seed tape within the ground. Fertilizer and agricultural chemicals may be incorporated into the seed tape or separately dispensed tapes for controlled application adjacent the planted crops.

Abstract: A method of cleaning oil slicks or chemical spills on a body of water or on the ground or other floor surface is disclosed. The method includes spreading a poplar bark-based product either onto a floating net on a body of water or onto oil or a chemical spill on a ground surface and absorbing the oil or chemical into the product. The soaked product may then be removed and a substantial portion of the oil or spilled chemical is recoverable from the product, such as by compressing it. The product may be spread onto a beach or shoreline for cleaning up a prior oil spill or the product may be spread on a clean beach or shoreline to protect it from contamination by any future oil slicks or chemical spills. The poplar bark-based product may be placed in flexible elongated socks for convenient handling for cleaning smaller spills from a surface.

Abstract: A method of bedding livestock includes placing an Aspen bark-based pellet product on the floor of a livestock confinement area, arranging the pellets in a layer of a generally uniform depth and housing livestock in the area on the layer of pellets. A sludge treatment method includes mixing the Aspen bark-based pellet product with sludge in a ratio of 1 part pellet to up to 40 parts sludge by weight in composting the mixed pellets and sludge to form a composted product. The Aspen bark-based pellets include between 5 and 45% Aspen bark, the balance including Aspen sawdust, ground wood chips and ground lumber.