Fertilizer

Claim 2

A ONE-PIECE GENERALLY WEDGE-SHAPED SPIKE COMPRISING PARTICLES OF FERTILIZER SOURCE MATERIALS BOUND TOGETHER BY A CURED THERMOSET RESIN, SAID SPIKE HAVING AN ELONGATED BODY WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY ELLIPTICAL IN CROSS-SECTION, A BLUNT END AND A SUBSTANTIALLY HEMI-ELLIPSOIDAL SHAPED END.

Claim 3

The spike of claim 1 wherein said blunt end is a boss integral with the body and the body has an edge adjacent to the boss which is arcuate in cross-section.

Claim 4

The spike of claim 1 wherein the thermoset resin is a cured water insoluble urea-formaldehyde.

Claim 5

The spike of claim 1 which is a briquette.

Claim 6

The spike of claim 1 consisting essentially of granular particles of fertilizer source materials bound together by said cured thermoset resin.

Claim 7

A one-piece generally wedge-shaped spike adapted to be driven into the ground comprising particles of fertilizer source materials bound together by a cured thermoset resin, said spike having an elongated body which is substantially elliptical in cross-sEction, a blunt end and a substantially hemi-ellipsoidal shaped end, and a plastic cap disposed over the blunt end, said cap having a wall which is substantially elliptical in cross-section, an open end about the body of the spike and a closed end disposed on the blunt end of the spike.

Claim 8

A one-piece generally wedge-shaped spike adapted to be driven into the ground comprising particles of fertilizer source materials bound together by a cured thermoset resin, said spike having an elongated body which is substantially elliptical in cross-sEction, a blunt end and a substantially hemi-ellipsoidal shaped end, and a plastic cap disposed over the blunt end, said cap having a wall which is substantially elliptical in cross-section, an open end about the body of the spike and a closed end disposed on the blunt end of the spike.

Claim 9

The spike of claim 6 wherein said blunt end thereof is a boss integral with the body and the edge of the body about the boss is arcuate shaped in cross-section, the closed end of the cap is disposed on the boss and the internal edge formed by the juncture of the wall with the closed end has a smaller radius than the radius of curvature of the edge of the spike body whereby an annular space is provided therebetween, said tubular wall fitting snugly over a portion of the spike body, and the closed end of the cap has a plurality of protuberances which combine to provide a discontinuous striking surface for the cap.

Claim 10

The spike of claim 7 wherein the cap is polypropylene.

Claim 11

The spike of claim 6 consisting essentially of granular particles of fertilizer source materials bound together by said cured thermoset resin.

Claim 12

A one-piece generally wedge-shaped briquette consisting essentially of particles of fertilizer source materials bound together by a cured thermoset resin, said briquette having an elongated body which is substantially elliptical in cross-section, a blunt end and a substantially hemi-ellipsoidal shaped end which adapt it to be hammered into the ground.

Claim 13

A one-piece generally wedge-shaped briquette consisting essentially of particles of fertilizer source materials bound together by a cured thermoset resin, said briquette having an elongated body which is substantially elliptical in cross-section, a blunt end and a substantially hemi-ellipsoidal shaped end which adapt it to be hammered into the ground.

Claim 14

The briquette of claim 10 having a plastic cap disposed over the blunt end thereof having an open end and a closed end disposed on said blunt end of the spike.

Claim 15

The briquette of claim 11 wherein the binder is urea-formaldehyde.

Claim 16

The briquette of claim 10 wherein the binder is urea-formaldehyde.