Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-01-17
i THE 5 BIG sUNFLOWER
THIS VALUABLE PLANT HAS GREAT
ECONOMIC VALUE.

May BE Made q Source of Revenue
to CuItivntors-It In Logically Our
National Flower.
The sunflower might be n most ap-
propfiate choice for the national flower
OF our country, since II originated hers
IN the regions Of the great plains.
Specimens OF it were taken to Europe
by the early Spanish explorers, and ii
was fist cultivated in the old world
il the gardens OF Madrid. The plant
was utilized by the American Indians
long before the days OF Columbus.
Champlain. When he visited Georgian
bay in 1915. found the aborigines Ihere
growing IL aud using the oil made from
the seeds OH their hair. Ii was raised
chiefly for the sake os the food which
lis SEEDS supplied. TO 50 high point
had it been developed by the natives on
this continent thai during the three and
half centuries which have elapsed
since It's adoption by the white men It
hns not been improved to any extent,
merely retaining the original size which
distinguished II from tts wild original.
Ia Russia The plant is Of great eco
nomic Importance. its seeds being eaten
i'll Immense quantities. raw or roasted,
Just rs we eat peanuts. The oil OBJ.
tGlncd by pressing the seeds is also
widely used as an article OF diet The
stniss and oil cakes make excellent fod-
der, lie leaves are employed as sub
stitutc for tobacco, and the fiber OF the
stalks has high value. The oil OF the
suntlcwer IS widely employed in Rus
.la. where the frequent religious feasts
restrict the use OF meat. There are
three principal varieties cultivated in
the cars territory--one with large
white seeds, which are said 10 yield the
most oil; one with smaller black seeds,
which are sweeter and considered the
best fo' eating. and an intermediate
form with striped seeds. used both for
eating and The production OF oil
The slnhower has assumed greater
economic value in Russia than in any
other country. Even by the upper
classes the seeds are much eaten, The
larger and finer ones being equal tc
most nuts in palatabiliiy and whole
somencss. While the poorer and less
perfect seeds furnish an oil which is
somewhat turb.d and bitter, the better
ones Yield n superior quality that is
said 10 compare tavorably with the
olive oil OF commerce. The stalks and
straw Of the sUntlowcr are highly priz-
cd as fuel. being in some parts Of the
empire tho Only available substitute
for wood TO burn. Sunfiower oil seems
Z huyH pr
OF olive oil than any other known SUBJ
stitut". or late years, when purified,
IL has been used extensively 10 adulter-
ate olive oil II is Of IL pale yellowish
color and decidedly paiatable. In
crude state 1t is used by painters, but
10 no very great extent, being mixed
with cheap Iaints and prepared stains,
but it does not equal linseed oil for
Narnls'h The cake left after the ex-
traction OF The oil by pressure Is OK
trcmcly ri"h, being equal in this re-
spect to the maize cake or linseed cake.
Branches md stalks of the plant are
used for fodder and are highly MI.
trltious
One of the many ways OF utilizing the
seeds IS practiced in the poorer dis
tricts OF Europe, where n fair kind Of
bread IS made from them. Many cheap
cigars arc made from the leaves OF the
plant. When properly cured the leaves
make fair wrappers for cigars, and
they are employed to n greater extent
than IL generally thought Pulver,zed
and used with an equal quantity OF 10.
bacco the combination is not so bad for
pipe smoking The sunhOwcr gives a
peculiar aroma to the tobacco which Is
much liked by some smokers. Cheap
cigarettes are often adultera.ed with
| sunlowcr leaves. In China the fiber OF
the stalks, which is 6ue. silky and very
, strong. Is woven into silk fabrics. anu
ir Is believed with the proper machn.
CRY if might be utilized with much
profit in this country.
| IT Is an interesting fact that the va
rlety Of sunflower most grown i'll this
country is called the Russian. Farm
ers say that nothing fattcus chickens
| SO quickly az the seeds Of this plant
which seem 10 encourage hens TO las
| Paper has been made from the stalks.
| but in the treelcss region where the
sundowcr Is most extensively grown
their highest value Is for fuel
| Though the economic value OF tie
suntlowcr has been but recently sub
| jcct Of discussion, Its aesthetic value
| has long been recognized. III Kansas.
the borders OF wagon roads and rail-
| roads are frequently lined for miles
| with the blossoms. which In August
! and September, when the flowers are
| III full bloom, are feature of the
| prairie landscape. These are not the
large flowers grown in our gardens
for ornamental purposes. bur are q
| smaller variety, which grows Wild
| New York Herald.