Abstract: An organoclay composition comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with a combination of quaternary ammonium salts, said mixture comprising: mineral clay (a) comprising about 15 to about 60 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of sepiolite; mineral clay (b) comprising about 40 to about 85 wt. % based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of montmorillonite; an alkyl or alkenyl quaternary ammonium salt and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: An organoclay composition which is a mineral clay or mineral clay mixture that has been treated with at least organic quaternary ammonium compound and a synergist comprising (i) an amine salt of a trimer acid, and (ii) an amine salt of a monocarboxylic fatty acid. The monocarboxylic fatty acid may be (a) at least one saturated carboxylic acid; and/or (b) at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Abstract: An organoclay composition comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with a combination of quaternary ammonium salts, said mixture comprising: mineral clay (a) comprising about 15 to about 60 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of sepiolite; mineral clay (b) comprising about 40 to about 85 wt. % based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of montmorillonite; an alkyl or alkenyl quaternary ammonium salt and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: An organoclay composition which is a mineral clay or mineral clay mixture that has been treated with at least organic quaternary ammonium compound and a synergist comprising (i) an amine salt of a trimer acid, and (ii) an amine salt of a monocarboxylic fatty acid. The monocarboxylic fatty acid may be (a) at least one saturated carboxylic acid; and/or (b) at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Abstract: An organoclay composition comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with a combination of quaternary ammonium salts, said mixture comprising: mineral clay (a) comprising about 15 to about 60 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of sepiolite; mineral clay (b) comprising about 40 to about 85 wt. % based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of montmorillonite; an alkyl or alkenyl quaternary ammonium salt and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: Selected smectites may be synthesized from a wide variety of components. Morphology, purity, size, and/or shape of the selected smectite may be controlled by mixing the clay smectite formatives, and selectively controlling the pH during mixing. The selected smectites may be used in any applications in which naturally occurring smectite may be used. The selected smectite may also be formulated into an organoclay.

Abstract: Selected smectites may be synthesized from a wide variety of components. Morphology, purity, size, and/or shape of the selected smectite may be controlled by mixing the clay smectite formatives, and selectively controlling the pH during mixing. The selected smectites may be used in any applications in which naturally occurring smectite may be used. The selected smectite may also be formulated into an organoclay.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a crude bentonite ore such that it can be used advantageously to prepare unusually high aqueous solution viscosities. This sequence comprises initially subjecting the crude ore to a working or shearing stage, followed by a drying step to about a 5% moisture level. Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is then dry-blended with the material, and the sequence is completed by subjecting the mix to a pulverizing step.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Coreopsis verticillata named ‘Route 66’ characterized it's abundant bright yellow inflorescences with a red eye with the red eye coloration of the ray florets spreading to the tips of the petals as they mature and with cooler fall temperatures, its continuous bloom from early summer until frost, its vigorous and robust growth habit, and its cold hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Zone 5.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Coreopsis verticillata named ‘Sunset Strip’ characterized its large inflorescences that are golden yellow in color with dark orange centers with the dark orange coloration of the ray florets spreading along the veins towards the end of the petals that is especially distinct in fall, its height of 45 to 50 cm and an average spread of 61 cm, its continuous bloom from June until frost, its vigorous growth habit with good growth under greenhouse conditions in winter, and its cold hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Zone 5.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Coreopsis verticillata named ‘Main Street’, characterized by its ray florets that are burgundy red in color with occasional flecks and spots of white near the tips on the upper surface when mature and greyed-yellow and diffused with reddish-purple near the base on the lower surface, its C. verticillata type foliage, its cold hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Zone 5, its continuous blooms from late May/early June until frost, its height of 45 to 60 cm and an average spread of 45 cm, and its vigorous growth habit and ability to propagate well under greenhouse conditions in winter.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Coreopsis verticillata named ‘Broad Street’ characterized by its ray florets that are red in color on the upper surface with flecks of yellow primarily appearing on the tips when mature and greyed-yellow and suffused at base with red on the lower surface, its C. verticillata type foliage, its cold hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Zone 5, its continuous blooms from late May/early June until frost, its height of 45 to 60 cm and an average spread of 45 cm, and its vigorous growth habit and ability to propagate well under greenhouse conditions in winter.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Coreopsis verticillata named ‘Electric Avenue’ characterized by its inflorescences that are clear yellow in color, its thread-leaf foliage, its high bud count, its height of 60 to 71 cm and an average spread of 60 cm, its cold hardiness in at least U.S.D.A. Zone 5, and its vigorous growth habit with heavy shoot production from over-wintered plants.