The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-03

Our ConSui-GenAral at st. Petersburg.
Mr.. j. NJ. Crawford, has drawn up very
interesting report on the cultivation of the
suDfower in Russia and he concludes with
a hint that cultivation with view to profit
might be tried in the United States. Two
kinds of sunflOwer are produced in Russia,
one with small seeds, from which oil is ex-
pressed, and the other with large seeds,
which are eaten by the peasantTy as com-
monty as the peanut is in the United States.
In 1861 there was 703, 494 acres planted
with sunflower. 1t is impossible to obtain
full statistics of tie crop, but it is estimated
that about 10000, 600 pounds of oil are pro-
duced Annually in the mills. the value of
which is S1.000.0O0. About nineteeD-twen-
tieths Of this are obtained in two prov
lnces-Sarat0y and NOroneZh. Nearly mil
lion and half pounds Of oil was exported
ID 1885. but the usual export is far below
this figure. there being ready demand for
the oil In Russia, where II has practically
superseded all other kinds. The price of seeds
mas fallen greatly during the last seven
years, and was as low as ~ cents per
pound In 1889, compared with az cents in
1888 After the oil has been expressed the
seed cake is valuable as food for cattle.
horses and fowls, and the dried seed cups
are found 10 BE- good for sheep. The ashes
remaining when the stalks are burned are
rich In potassium, and the farmers sell
them 10 SoapmakcrS. The oil is declared to be
equal to the French table oil ia color. flavor,
and taste and by the masses 1t is preferred
to every other quality. A fertile soil is nee
essary for successful cultivation, the best
being mold or black earth mixed with sand.
Il large amount of suns ne is also reuuis-
lite. Level country is most suitable, and
shelter from winds has to be studied. The
stalks are often three inches in diameter
and eight feet long, and they bear many
heads Those of a foot in diameter may
contain 1000 seeds.
Bismarck's birthday, as usual, brought
him the cordial fluctuations of the Germans
at home and abroad. 1t is impossible to
forget the distinguished services this states
man has rendered to the Fatheriand, and on
such an anniversary it is convenient and
fraternal to forget the mistakes he has
made. The ex-Cbancellor. 1t is satisfactory
10 know. is in vigorous health. notwith-
standing his advanced age and the worries
that may rankle In his breast at his treat
ment by the young Emperor. OF late there
nave been reports in circulation that he may
again be called upon to take Office.
but IL would almost he a misfortune
that any crisis should arise of grav-
ity sufficient to make this advisable.
Germany would be in very baple5s case, in
deed, II the services OF any one man, how
ever eminent and dominating in ability, are
Is that nobody is Indispensable, and that the
vast mass OF people as they join the majority
are never missed. Prince Bismarck will do
well II in his retirement he writes the his
tory OF his own time in that trenchant, per-
splcuous manner which characterizes some
of his confidential dispatches penned in the
days when Austria was all-powerful in Ger
many and Prussia was paving the way to
seize the leadership. A return to the chan
ceiiorshlp would be fatal to literary tasks.
Chinese merchants In Victoria are said
to complain Of the difficulty they find Ia do
ing business in the United States They
say they have formerly been residents of
this country and are known as such to the
customs officers, and that they are not al
lowed TO return is to them a grievance IL
they are really merchants the business lhey
wish to transact cannot be very urgent or
they would fnd some means of getting IL
transacted. Without stringency and vigil
lance in the administration of the law the
checks upon Chinese immigration would be
materially weakened. 1t Is unfortunately q