Abstract: In a chamber for cultivating plant growth, a plurality of light fixtures are employed, each containing a high intensity discharge lamp. The bulb of the lamp serves as an inner transparent wall and a globe functions as an outer transparent wall. In the space between the bulb and globe water is caused to flow in order to remove unwanted radiation and heat generated by each lamp before the radiation is transmitted into the growth chamber.

Abstract: Individual seeds are electrostatically diverted from a continuously flowing stream of seeds. Each diverted seed is pneumatically conveyed to a seed distributor which sequentially directs each seed it receives to an appropriate delivery tube leading downwardly to a series of laterally spaced dispensers beneath which is positioned a row of fibrous planting blocks. Provision is made for releasing the conveying air just above each dispenser so that for all intents and purposes the seed is gravitationally deposited on its particular planting block. The various planting blocks are arranged in rows on a tray which in turn is carried on a movable transport table. Provision is made for advancing the table row-by-row beneath the various seed dispensers so that all of the blocks in the tray receive seeds.