Importance of the Sunflower Industry

Southland Times, Issue 13284, 10 August 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

Importance of the Sunflower Industry

The discovery of sunflower oil sb food was an accident. It being recommended to a Russian farmer to prevent sickness, he tested its remedial values, and then began its use as food for bis family and tbe care to tbe stock. So popular for oil and food has .the sunflower and seed industry of Russia become that In 1881-2 there were 367,889 aoros in cultivation, in 1886-7, 704,496 acres is of tbe large and small varieties, the latter used for oil, the former eaten the same ae peanuts, ' A Russian farmer gives the yield of seeds at 14521 b to 16001 b per acre, and nets tbe grower 28do) to 31 dol per tore. Mr Duncan, an extensive cotton planter in the Mississippi bottom, who visited Russia last year for the purpose of gaining information in regard to tbe culture of the senflower in that country, gives bis observations as follows : ‘The Russians who grow tbe plant generally sow tbe soed after a crop of wheat or ryo has buen harvested from the land. Somo sow after oats and buckwheat, but have found it less profitable to sow after the latter ; ae the buckwheat takes up euch a large percentage of potassium from tbe soil tbe flower does not pay. It thrives and,beads well aftercrops of rye and clover. The land intended to be planted is thoroughly ploughed io the fall and left until tbe next spring, at which time tbe seeds are sown, either in drills or broadcast. If in rows they are planted from 12in. to 24in apart depending largely on tbe fertility of the soil. On some of the rich black lands they grow from four to six crops without resting tbe land. ‘ The Russians estimate that the stalks and leaves of one crop, if left on the land, will manure ibe soil sufficiently to yield six or more crops coneecutively without additional fertilising. The roots of tbe stalks eo3n rot in tbe ground and leave about one ton of manure per acre io tha ■oi’, which ;is very fine for the next crop. The plant requires but little attention and labour after planting. When it is abont 10 in. or 12in. high tbe field should bs thoroughly cleaned of grass and weeds. That is all that will be required until harvest. Harvest time varies according to soil, climate, and exposure of the flower to tbe sun. Tbe usual time is fixed from September Ist to October 15th. When the seeds are fully ripe the heads of the flowers are cut from the stalk and placed in drying sheds for tbe purpose of curing them, tbe same as curing leaf tobaccoj When the flower is fully dry the seeds are threshed from the cups and screened and run through a fan mill, and are then ready for tbe seed mill.’

Mr Duncen continues—‘After carefully examining every feature of this new and novel industry, as conducted by the Russians, I am induced to believe that with our improved modes of farming, together wtth our climate and soil, the cultivation of the sunflower can be made one of the best paying crops that tho average American farmer can raise. When we take into consideration the great saving of labour and expense in producing the orop r< aly for

market, as compared with others, it is wonderful.’ An American chemist, living in St Petersburg in 1868, made a compound lard taking sunflower oil as the base, wbioh was pronounced superior to bog’s lard in every respect for domestic purposes Some of this compound was sent to a food exposition in Holland, and took tbe prize as a pure refined hog’s lard.- He then produced from tbe same oil oleo-tnargaiine, which,.also took a premium as creamery butter, From the residiuum of the oil be manufactured fine washing and toilet soaps which are standard brands in Europe and South America. Druggists nse the refined oil in preparing liniments, salves, and hair lotionr. When properly treated it ia used on tbe most delicate machinery as a lubricator. Tbe annua! output of all the sunflower -oil mills in value is estimated at 1,700,000 dollars for the oil only ; oil cake is put at dollars, The oil cake is largely consumed in Russia, Germany, England, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland as feed for cattle. Tbe stock raisers and farmers of these countries regard the oil cako as the best food to be obtained for ca'tle. They claim for it superiority over hemp or rape seed for producing fl->sh on beef cattle, and equ Jly as good for ino.'eas'ag tl.e supply of milk in milch cows. A German farmer r< ports that he increased the flesh on an ox 21b per day by feeding on sunflower oil oake. These people bold it in high esteem as a horse feed. They say it produces flash and gives the hair a lively, slfck appearance. The dried caps are fed to sheep, and lhe faulty seeds are used as feed for the barnyard fowls. In many cases where wood is scares the eUlka and shells are used as fuel, which answer as a good substitute. Tho ash from the sunflower contains a large percentage of potaesiom. Experiments have proved that 10001 b of dried stalks yield 571 b of aeb, and from 10001 b of ash 3501 b of tbe best potassium, and it is also claimed by these scientists that if the soil is very rich the plant will take up 50 per cent of potas sium . The ashes are sold to soapmakersFrom tbe fibre of tbe etalk is manufactured tbe finest varieties of writing paper, which bears a close resemblance in colour and texture to parchment.—Journal of tbe Council of Agriculture, Tasmania.