The record-union., 1894-11-29

For the following sketch of the SUM-
flower industry abroad our readers are
indebted to John Trimble, Secretary of
the National Grange:
The discovery of sunfiower oil as
food was an accident. 1t being recon-
mended to Russian farmer to prevent
sickness, he tested its remedial values
and then began to use it as food to his
family and the cake to the stock. So pop
ular for oil and food has the sunfiower
industry of Russia become that in 1881 81
there 367, 1853 acres in cultivation; in
1856 704, ,496 acres. Seed is of the large
and small varieties, the latter used for oil,
the former eaten the same as peanuts. y
Russian farmer gives the yield of seeds
at hoo 10 600 pounds per acre, and nets
the grower SIS to $3l per acre.
An American chemist living in st.
Petersburg III 1868 made a compound
lard, taking suntlower oil as the base,
which was pronounced superior to hogs
lard in every respect for domestic pur
poses. Some Of this compound was sent
TO food exposition in Holland and took
the first prize as pure refined hogs lard.
He then produced, from the same oil,
oleomargarine, which also took a prem
lum as creamery butter. From the re-
siuuum OF the oil he manufactured fine
washing and toilet soaps, which are
standard brands in Europe and South
America. Druggists use the refined oils
in preparing liniments, salVes and hair
lotions. When properly treated, it is
used on the most delicate machinery as a
lubricator.
The annual output of all the sunfiower
oil mills III value is estimated at Sl,700,-
OOO tor the oil only. Oil cake is put at
100000. The oil cake is largely con-
sumed in Russia, Germany, England,
Sweden, Denmark and Holland, as feed
for cattle. The stock -raisers and farmers
OF these countries regard the Oil cake as
the best food TO be obtained tor cattle
They claim for it superiority over hemp
or rape seed for producing flesh on beef
cattle, and equally as good for increasing
the supply OF milk in mllch cows. \
German farmer reports that he increased
the flesh on an OK three pounds per day
by feeding on sunfioWer oil cake. These
people also hold it in high esteem as a
horse feed. They say it produces flesh
and gives the hair a lively, slick appear
ance. The dried cups are fed to sheep,
and the faulty seeds are used as feed
for barnyard fowls. In many sections
where wood Is scarce the stalk and shells
are used for fuel, which answers as good
substitute. The ash from the suntlower
contains large per cent. OF potassium.
Experiments have proven that LOCO
pounds of dried stalks yield fitty-seven
pounds of ash, and from ,000 pounds of
ash 800 pounds of the best potassium is
obtained. According to the analysis OF
chemists, the ash OF the Suntlower con-
tains about 80 per cent. of potassium, and
II Is also claimed by these scientists that
ii the soil is very rich the plant will take
up 80 per cent of potassium. The ashes
are sold to soap-malers. From the fiber
OF the stalk is manufactured the finest
varieties OF writing paper, which bears
close resemblance in color and texture to
parchment.
n ixJa r0la tor.
in the Mississippi bottom, who visited
Russia last year for the purpose of gain
ing information In regard To the culture
OF the suntiower in that country, gives
his observation as follows: the Rus
slams who grow the plant generally sow
the seeds alter crop OF wheat and rye
has been harvested from the land. Some
sow after oats and buckwheat but have
found it less profitable to sow after the
later, as the buckwheat takes up such a
large per cent. of potassium from the
soil that the flower does not pay. 1t
thrives and heads we'll after crops OF rye
and clover. The land intended to be
planted is thoroughly pioWed in the fall
ana lett until the next spring, at which
time the seeds are sOwn, either in drills
or broadcast. If in rows, they are planted
from twelve to twenty-tour inches apart,
depending largely on the fertility OF the
soil. On some of the rich, black lands
they grow from four to six crops without
resting the land"
Mr.. Duncan continues: "The,Russians
estimate that the stocks and leaves of one
crop, if left on the laud, will manure the
soil sufficiently TO yield six or more crops
consecutlVely without additional tertil-
lzing. The roots of the stalks soon rot in
the ground and leave about one ton of
manure TO the acre IN the soil, which Is
very line for the next crop. The plant
requires but little attention or labor after
IL. II -
inches high the soil should be thoroughly
cleaned OF grass and weeds. That is all
that Will be required until harvest. Har-
vest time varies according TO soil, cIi-
mate ana exposure of the flower to the
sun. The usual time is fixed from Sep
tember lSt to October 18th. When the
seeds are fully ripe, the heads of the
flowers are cut from the stalks and placed
in drying sheds for the purpose OF curing
them, the same as curing leaf tobacco.
When the flower is fully dry the seeds
are threshed from the cups and screened
and run through fanmill, and are then
ready for the seedmill.'
In conclusion, Mr.. Duncan saws:
After carefully examining every feature
of this new and novel industry, as con-
Quoted by the Russians, am induced to
believe that with our improved modes of
farming, together with our climate and
soil, the cultivation OF the sunfiower can
the average American farmer can raise
When we take into consideration the
great saving of labor and expense in pro-
duclng the crop ready for market, as
compared with others, it is wonderful"
GIVE THE BEES WATER.
Charles Dadant. writes to the Prairie
Farmer OF the great necessity OF giving
bees plenty of water during the breeding
season, and in this connection saws:
Water is indispensable Tor bees in the
breeding season, and therefore most es-
peclally III the spring. for as soon as the
queen has commenced laying the workers
use water to dilute the pollen, which is
the main food of the larvae during the
last stage of their evolution. The bees
cannot use honey for this purpose, be-
cause 1t is both too thick and too rich in
saccharine matter. During the beginning
OF the harvest, when the honey is very
thin and watery, much less water is used
by them. In place where no animal
can roam. and shadowed by trees, if pos
slble, but so located that the rays of the
sun may shine upon il in early spring
prepare sort OF elevated stand, made TO
support an earthen or glass Jar or q lug
The elevation of the stand should be suf-
ficient that no dog may reach it. Cover a
plate with several thicknesses of thick
woolen stuff, or flannel and invert the
jug upon il, after having previously
filled it with clear water, in which
one or two tablespoonfuls of clear
salt have been dissolved. The water
Will run down and dan. pen the cloth, but
will not overflow Oh account OF the at
mospheric pressure. y glass jar, or an
earthen jar is even better, as water
will flow more freely; but the plate
should be first laid upon the top
before inverting. The water will flow
MI n1 b hnn