Abstract: A new and distinct Eucalyptus cultivar named ‘Rengun’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive small, Grey-Green foliage. Plants have a distinctive bushy growth habit, form small to medium sized shrubby trees. The new cultivar is a Eucalyptus, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Abstract: A new and distinct Loropetalum cultivar named ‘SHANG-GREEN’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive upright, dense plant growth. Foliage is small and green. The new cultivar is a Loropetalum, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lantana plant named ‘PIIL-I’, characterized by its low growing, layered and spreading growth habit; leathery, scabrous, lustrous dark green foliage; continuous flowering; and dark yellow flower buds that open to dark yellow and age to orange and eventually to orange-red. There are no other cultivars of Lantana with this combination of characteristics known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new Clematis plant with a compact growth habit, profuse, mauve flowers, and continuous summer flowering. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for cultivation commercial nursery culture. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation from vegetative cuttings.

Abstract: A new Clematis plant with a compact growth habit, profuse, red-purple flowers, and continuous summer flowering. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for cultivation commercial nursery culture. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation from vegetative cuttings.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chamelaucium cultivar named ‘JUPITER’ is disclosed, characterized by a large quantity of very early blooming, medium sized, red-purple colored flowers. Flowers uniquely occur in both terminal and axillary positions. The new variety is a Chamelaucium, normally producing cut flower stems, or as a garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new hop plant named ‘HBC 564’ is disclosed. The cones of ‘HBC 564’ mature in mid-September, and yield a crop of 2200 to 2600 pounds per acre. ‘HBC 564’ is used for its very unique aromatic quality, high alpha acid content and exceptional yield.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Veronica plant named ‘Allchoice’, characterized by its upright plant habit; freely flowering habit; compact and dense inflorescences with numerous soft pink-colored flowers; long flowering period; and used as a garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Gardenia jasminoides plant named ‘PIIGA-II’, characterized by fragrant, double white flowers, abundant large flowers in spring with reblooming to fall, lustrous, dark green foliage, compact upright growth habit, and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 7.

Abstract: The new Shasta daisy plant, Leucanthemum ‘Whoops-a-Daisy’, is a sturdy plant with dark green serrated foliage and strong heavily-branched stems. The numerous inflorescences have ray tepals of near white developing to pale cream and cover the plant in a mound from the top of the plant to the ground. The new plant is useful in the landscape as a long-flowering border, in mass, as accent plants and containerized for patio or indoor use, or as a cut flower.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Valley Buzz’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with purple stripes and a purple with red/purple striped labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Double Delight’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with purple/violet and a red/purple labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Abstract: ‘SPCDW1318’ is a distinctive variety of Vanda which is characterized by greyed-red sepal and petal coloration with greyed-purple spots and dark brown floral lip, as well as the stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation. The new variety is a Vanda, typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct Impatiens cultivar named ‘DHARSSCRLT’ is disclosed, characterized by large scarlet flowers well branched form and good sun resistance. The new variety is an Impatiens, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘Aurora’, characterized by its upright and mounding plant form; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; large rounded inflorescences with white and pink-colored flowers; and resistance to Powdery Mildew.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘Solar Flare’, characterized by its upright and mounding plant form; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; large rounded inflorescences with white and red purple-colored flowers; and resistance to Powdery Mildew.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘Zenith’, characterized by its upright and mounding plant form; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; large rounded inflorescences with large pink-colored flowers; and resistance to Powdery Mildew.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘Daughter of Pearl’, characterized by its upright and mounding plant form; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; large conical inflorescences with white and purple-colored flowers; and resistance to Powdery Mildew.

Abstract: A new osteospermum plant particularly distinguished by light violet ray florets with a lighter violet ring and darker at the base, and a semi-upright growth habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: ‘UF12-22-1’ is a new coleus plant distinguished by having consistent bright orange-bronze leaves with distinct red-magenta venation, and a vigorous but compact growth habit, as disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bidens plant named ‘Haflpare’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading to somewhat trailing and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; long flowering period; inflorescences with deep orange and yellow bi-colored ray florets and bright yellow-colored disc florets; and strong peduncles that hold the inflorescences above and beyond the foliar plane.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bidens plant named ‘Haflrest’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading to somewhat trailing and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; long flowering period; large inflorescences with dark orange-colored ray florets with yellow-colored borders and bright yellow-colored disc florets; and strong peduncles that hold the inflorescences above and beyond the foliar plane.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a roofing shingle includes applying an asphalt coating to a substrate to define an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including a headlap portion and a tab portion. Reinforcement material is applied from a spool to the asphalt coated sheet, wherein the reinforcement material is wound in a waywind pattern on the spool payed out from a roll. The reinforcement material is then secured to the headlap portion of the asphalt coated sheet. Prior to applying the reinforcement material to the asphalt coated sheet, the reinforcement material has a first width. The method further includes shrinking the reinforcement material to a second width narrower than the first width upon securing the reinforcement material to the headlap portion.

Abstract: The invention involves generating and presenting, typically electronically, a number of design alternatives to persons who are participating in the design, selection, or market research exercise. The participants (referred to as “selectors”) transmit data indicative of their preferences among or between the presented design alternatives, and that data is used to derive a new generation of design alternatives or proposals. The new designs are generated through the use of a computer program exploiting a genetic or evolutionary computational technique. The process is repeated, typically for many iterations or cycles.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having a rolling basket. A stationary blade is disposed inside an inner chamber of the rolling basket and attached at ends of the rolling basket near the bearings that are connected to the rolling basket. The rolling basket rotates around its major axis via the bearings, while the blade is held stationary. The stationary blade has sleeves at the ends, and each of the sleeves is connected to a post of a support arm and locked into the posts via a pin.

Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.

Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided that includes a compound hinge arrangement that allows for compact folding adjacent frame segments such as wing segments of planting, seeding, or tillage implements. The compound hinge arrangement includes a first pivot axis that can be active when the implement is in an unfolded field-use position in which a second pivot axis of the compound hinge arrangement is locked. The implement may be folded into a folded transport position by pivoting an outer wing about the first pivot axis with a first actuator during a first stage and pivoting the compound hinge arrangement and the outer wing about the second pivot axis during a second stage.

Abstract: An agricultural system including a tractor and an implement powered by the tractor. The implement having a plurality of hydraulic fluid using devices, at least one transducer, and a communications device. The transducer is configured to generate a signal representative of a hydraulic load requirement of the plurality of hydraulic fluid using devices. The communications device conveying the signal to the tractor. The tractor is configured to alter a hydraulic fluid characteristic supplied to the implement dependent upon the signal.

Abstract: A floating manure agitator that floats on the surface of a manure lagoon and that may be remotely controlled to agitate manure supernatant into a slurry with sludge settling on the bottom of the lagoon. The agitator is provided with a plurality of fluid outputs, the direction of which may be controlled to motivate and steer the agitator. The outputs are angled to develop vortices of supernatant into the sludge to further mix the materials into a slurry.

Abstract: A distribution machine including a supply device for a self-regulated pneumatic supply from a main reservoir containing product toward at least one auxiliary reservoir according to its filling rate via a respective tight duct, each auxiliary reservoir including an air exhaust device and a distribution unit for distributing the product including a supply chamber and a rotary regulating element. The air exhaust device is configured to extend substantially below an overflow spot of the supply chamber.

Abstract: An agricultural metering device with a variable geometry meter roller is provided. The agricultural metering device includes a meter roller having a plurality of flutes. An aggregate cross sectional area of the flutes increases along a longitudinal axis of the meter roller.

Abstract: An agricultural tool for a tractor tool bar comprises a unit, such as a planter unit, that includes a ground contacting member for performing a working operation on the ground for changing the state of the soil, such as by opening a furrow to receive a seed from the planter unit. A downpressure system for the tool includes a two part telescopic air shock extending between the tool bar and a parallelogram linkage that attaches the unit to the tool bar. A sensor is operatively connected to the portion of the air shock that is attached to the parallelogram linkage for sending a signal representative of the length of the shock to an electronic controller. The controller operates through a feedback loop to attempt to maintain the air shock at a predetermined length which corresponds to a desired amount of downpressure.

Abstract: A lawn fertilizing device for installing in a water system. A chemical substrate that is to be applied to vegetation is disposed in an enclosed container. The enclosed container has a plurality of apertures disposed on the container walls to allow water to flow through the container and contact the chemical substrate. The container is placed on a base and covered by a housing. The housing is secured to the base via a screw cap threaded to a base wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to an outdoor power equipment unit, such as a mower, having an electronic controller comprising a circuit board with a plurality of connector pins affixed thereto and with a connector housing surrounding the pins. A Macromelt overmold encapsulates the circuit board and is bonded to the connector housing to form a controller that needs no external housing and no separate wire harness extending from the connector pins to the circuit board. The controller can log the length of time of various operations of the unit as well as the number of various occurrences. In addition, the controller can prevent overheating by automatically disabling operation of the working implement carried by the unit but permitting continued operation of the prime mover when overheating of the prime mover is detected.

Abstract: A walk behind mower is configured to be stored in a vertical position or orientation. In one implementation, the mower disables a brake release based upon positioning of a handle. In one implementation, the mower facilitates oil changes while the mower is in the vertical orientation.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural vehicle includes a controller configured to calibrate alignment of a conveyor outlet of the agricultural vehicle with a storage compartment by receiving a first signal from a user interface indicative of alignment of the conveyor outlet with a first desired point on the storage compartment, determining a first position of the storage compartment relative to the agricultural vehicle upon receiving the first signal, receiving a second signal from the user interface indicative of alignment of the conveyor outlet with a second desired point on the storage compartment, diagonally opposite the first desired point, determining a second position of the storage compartment relative to the agricultural vehicle upon receiving the second signal, and establishing a bounding rectangle having a first corner at the first desired point and a second corner at the second desired point based on the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A method of selectively harvesting fruits includes generating a first series of images of a plant while the plant is moved to expose hidden fruits, identifying an object displayed in the first series of images as a suspect fruit from feature boundary data defined by color regions, comparing a color parameter of the suspect fruit to a criterion associated with a ripeness, advancing an automated picker toward the suspect fruit based on a determined position of the suspect fruit and while monitoring a proximity sensor of the automated picker, detecting a color of the impediment and confirming that the impediment is a fruit, operating the automated picker to pick the fruit from the plant, and while the automated picker is operated to pick the fruit, generating a second series of images of one or more additional plants while the one or more additional plants are moved to expose additional fruits.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus having a frame and a harvesting assembly on the frame configured to accommodate severed crop as the frame is advanced. A fluid delivery system causes pressurized fluid to be discharged in discrete streams each with a component that is directed to at least one of: a) facilitate severance of crop; and b) cause severed crop to be advanced rearwardly in relationship to the frame to a location for further processing. The fluid delivery system has: i) a primary conduit length extending laterally between the sides of the frame; ii) a plurality of laterally spaced outlets from which fluid from the primary conduit length is discharged; iii) a pressurized fluid source; and iv) a distributing conduit assembly that directs pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source to first and second locations from where pressurized fluid is directed in laterally opposite directions into the primary conduit length.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester residue handling selection method having the steps of: selecting a chop/swath residue handling mode resulting in a mode selection; setting a chopper speed range for a chopper in a residue handling section dependent upon the mode selection; and positioning a windrow door dependent upon the mode selection.

Abstract: A clean grain evacuation device for a grain harvester having a threshing system configured to separate grain harvested by the harvester from crop residue and direct a flow of the grain to a cleaning system disposed within the harvester including at least two sieves disposed and configured to sequentially clean the grain. The evacuation device is disposed for receiving a portion of the flow of the clean grain from a first of the sieves, and is configured to evacuate the received clean grain away from the cleaning system. The evacuation device can include a conveyor disposed for directing the evacuated grain directly to a desired location such as a clean grain receiving system on the harvester. The evacuation device can also be located in an air flow path to the sieves.

Abstract: A continuous-operation baler assembly is provided which includes a separate and leading surge bin followed by a baler. The surge bin and baler each comprise a separate pick up mechanism for collecting agricultural material. When the baler has collected material and is ready to finish a bale the surge bin receives a signal and begins collecting agricultural material. Once the bale nears finish, the material collected by the surge bin is metered out into the path of or otherwise transferred to the baler during the next bale formation cycle, where it is picked up and formed into a bale.

Abstract: A tobacco production system is provided for producing useable tobacco material having chemical and physical properties acceptable to tobacco industry stakeholders, by growing tobacco entirely in a directly seeded system, under an intensive biomass growing system, mechanically harvesting above-ground portions of the plant a plurality of times during the growing season, curing tobacco leaves and stalks together, and processing the cured tobacco material to obtain cured leaf material suitable for use in tobacco products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, snus, snuff, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, reconstituted tobacco material, and other manufactured tobacco products.

Abstract: A modular wall assembly for growing and promoting vegetative growth is disclosed. The assembly includes a frame and a growth media disposed within the frame. The growth media includes a wicking matrix, a first nutrient transfer matrix, a second nutrient transfer matrix, and a planting matrix. A modular wall system including a plurality of the modular wall assemblies is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modular device for raising seedling that comprises at least two individual containers to receive a culture medium and a seedling, and at least a coupling member. Each of the individual containers is provided with at least a pair of the coupling bumps arranged on two opposing positions respectively on both lateral edges of the individual container, and is protruded at a predetermined height from a backside of the individual container. Each of the coupling members is provided with a mating groove which is arranged in extending around its longitudinal shape so as to form a serial connection of the individual containers by means of mating the coupling bump with the mating groove within the same coupling member between two adjacent individual containers.

Abstract: Biomass production apparatus is disclosed and comprises a stack of trays, each tray, in use, being in receipt of a respective layer of liquid, the layers being spaced apart from one another such that each layer has associated therewith a respective headspace. Light sources are provided for each layer and are disposed in the headspace associated with said each layer, to illuminate, at least in part, said each layer.

Abstract: A device for protecting the contents of plant containers comprising a top portion, a cut-out with a semi-circular interior portion, and a channel portion. The interior portion and channel portion are shaped to provide clearance and receive the base or stem of a plant. Embodiments of the device may include grooves and apertures to provide flexibility and drainage and the device also includes the capability to accommodate different styles and sizes of containers along with various plants and shrubs.

Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter may be provided with a coupler for bonding to an inner surface of a conduit. The emitter may include for example a button flow restrictor. The coupler may optionally provide an outlet zone on the conduit surface that is large enough for automated perforation. Bonding the emitter to the surface of the conduit may have a minimal effect on the dimensions and/or properties of the conduit. A button drip irrigation emitter may optionally include a two part labyrinth. The labyrinth may for example be confined between a cylindrical surface and a cover and/or wind between intermeshing baffles on the cover and/or the surface.

Abstract: A distribution system and method for simultaneously distributing and reclaiming a liquid with a single, multi-directional system pathway. The system pathway follows a circuitous path for both receiving liquid from and returning reclaimed liquid to a reservoir positioned beneath a ground surface. A distribution pathway, such as a pipe, may carry the liquid with pressure from the reservoir to a distribution outlet. A reclamation pathway, such as a perforated pipe, may encapsulate the distribution pathway, and capture runoff and excessive liquid through at least one aperture for returning the liquid back to the reservoir. In some embodiments, the system pathway may include one perforated pipe that forms a barrier between the distribution pathway and the reclamation pathway. A film may cover the perforations to allow for pressurizing the water. A system of pumps, valves, and a control apparatus help regulate the liquid.