Abstract: A bakery ingredient including a milled, starch-bearing grain having about 60-80% of its starch enzymatically eliminated by conversion to a soluble form and about 4 to 30% by weight of a caramel-sugar mixture is disclosed along with a process for preparation of the bakery ingredient. The preferred sugar mixture includes at least 70% maltose and less than 5% glucose. The preferred enzyme is an alpha-amylase. Baked goods prepared from the bakery ingredient demonstrate superior crumb strength and are suprisingly resistant to degradation by excessive or insufficient moisture and are characterized by extended shelf-life capability.

Abstract: An improved process for producing baked products such as breads and rolls is provided which gives the products an extremely long shelf life and essential batch-to-batch uniformity. Moreover, the process is susceptible to a high degree of automation, thereby lowering costs. Broadly speaking, the process of the invention is an improvement over conventional sponge methods and involves initially setting the sponge fraction at a temperature of about 72.degree.-80.degree. F. and a pH of 5.2-5.6; the sponge is fermented for a period of about 11/2-21/2 hours in order to elevate the temperature and reduce the pH of the sponge. The sponge is then cooled to eliminate yeast activity, and is mixed with dough fraction components to yield a final dough. The final mixed dough is quiescently held and proofed in an intermediate proofer for 6-8 minutes. Final processing involves molding, baking, cooling and packaging. The process is also characterized by a complete absence of synthetic yeast foods in the sponge fraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vegetation guard to be placed beneath a fence. The device includes a plurality of polygonal sections adapted to be disposed in end to end relationship. Each of the sections presents first and second inclined surfaces disposed in intersecting planes on opposite sides of a generally U-shaped trough portion which extends the length of the section. The trough portion is provided with a plurality of openings along its bottom wall to permit water to drain from the trough and herbicide to be applied through the openings. One end of each of the sections is provided with a tongue portion which is adapted to be placed beneath the opposite end of an adjacent section. A fastener passes through openings in the two overlapping sections which are configured so as to accomodate a limited amount of longitudinal movement between the two sections for thermal expansion and contraction.