Multiple cropping in conjunction with various minimum tillage practices is currently a conspicuous agricultural production method in the southeastern U.S. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of 5 years of various tillage practices on the fertility status of an Ultisol continuously double‐cropped to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybeans (Glycine max L.). The tillage treatments for each fall/spring were: no‐tillage/no‐tillage, harrow/ho‐tillage, conventional tillage/no‐tillage, no‐tillage/conventional tillage, harrow/conventional tillage, conventional tillage/conventional tillage. With no‐tillage, soil pH decreased more rapidly with depth than with conventional tillage treatments. Accumulations of Ca, Mg, P, Mn, and Zn occurred in the surface soil with no‐tillage treatments, but surface soil K was lower with no‐tillage compared to conventional tillage treatments. Organic C and N did not accumulate in the soil surface under no‐tillage to the degree reported in other studies. Results indicate that continuous no‐tillage results in increased nutrient concentrations in the surface soil with a rapid decrease with depth, while conventional tillage resulted in a more homogeneous soil with respect to soil fertility status

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A device was designed to permit accurate and rapid measurement of the abscission or removal force of peaches when used with a mechanical force gauge. To handle fruit of different sizes, small and large units were constructed. A detail drawing of the two units is shown. This instrument was used to study the physiology of abscission, chemicals for thinning, and chemicals for uniform ripening of peaches for mechanical harvesting as related to the removal force.

A tool‐bar‐mounted 2‐row cone‐type planter was designed and built to seed experimental cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plots. The unit planters equipped with sword openers, parallel adjustable wings, and split press wheels were fitted with cone‐type seeders, roller chain, and sprockets. Rows ranging from 4.60 to 21.85 m in length and from 50.8 to 101.6 cm in width can be seeded on top of a bed or on a flat seedbed. An endless nylon belt provides raking action in the cone‐type seeder, enhances even distribution of seed into the seed spout, and is the unique feature of our planter which facilitates planting machine‐delinted cottonseed. The plot planter, operated by one person besides a tractor driver, can be attached to any tractor of adequate size that is equipped with a 3‐point hitch.