Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-04-08
From the Germantown Telegraph
The Sun-FlOWer.


I, is no, perhaps so generally known as it
deserves to be, that the oil of the sun aower
seed is possessed Of highly valuable properties.
Il is stated that c. A. Barni,z, near Balilnnre.
Instituted series of scientific experiments for
the purpose of accurately ascertaiuing the guam
lity ob,ainabe from bushel Of seed, and found
that gallon Of fine oil was the result. The
seed, j, is said. was previously pulled, aud none
was los. by the sa,uralion Of the dry covering
He thinks that, when well managed, a gallon
may be counted upon with safety. There are
probably few productions more easily cultisa-
ted than the Sun-fower. The seed is an ex-
cellent article for poultry its highly oleagi-
nous character rendering i, most valuabIs
substitute for meat-an article which it is ne.
cessary TO provide, and in no stin'ed quan'i'ys
when the fowls are confined aud debarred the
range and freedom of the fields.
Since penning the above, have perused an
article in The New England Farmer. written by
Mr.. lnan, who seems 10 have been acquaint-
ed with the process, and wko obtained no more
The failure of this person is easily accounted
for, however. He did not hull the seed For
burning, the oil of the sun-f1ower is justly pre-
ferred 10 all other articles of The kind, as il burns
with brlllian, and clear flame, and is totally
destitute of any offensive smell. For painting
i, is preferred to linseed-spreading smoothly
and with ease, and drying with rapidily APP
proachable by no other oil in common use. For
culinary purposes, i, is preferred by many 10
the purest olive oil, possessing an advantage
in cheapness, and having more agreeable IA
yor.
have made some few experiments with lhs
sun flower, and have found ii exceedingly pro-
life. In The spring Of 1887. planted Two
hundred and sixty two hills on old, well-worked
soil, and obtained seven bushels Of seed--,wo
plants only TO the hill. Many of The flowers
measured ten inches in diameter The leaves
Of this plant are an excellent food for cat
tie, and are believed TO produce an extra dow
of milk. |, is supposed tha, on soils of ,he
right constitutional conformation, and with prop
er management the sun flower will produce
from one hundred TO one hundred aud fifty
bushels per statute acre. My experiment in
! 1889, corroborates the correctness of this sup
position, although the soil was carefully prepar-
ed and great attention accorded during the en-
tire season. | mention these facts as many
might regard my successful experiment as the
common result and expect The same quantity
of produce from the same number Of plants, on
soils of inferior quality, and without moiety
Of the care in culture or The economy Of the
crop.
An agricultural friend Of mine, assures mo
that he has cultivated the sun-fower for years,
principally as feed for his poultry. The last
year his crop amounted 10 one hundred aud If
ty bushels, from abou. two acres Of land, cost
ing according to his estimate. foriy-fise cents
per bushel and worth for the ordinary purpos.
es of feeding, one dollar.
He regards i, as the mos, profitable produc.
ton Of his farm A Practical FARMER.
| Bald Eagle Farm, Feb TO- lS47.