556 



Agricultural Gazette of N .S.W . 



[Aug. 2, 1920. 



The Results. 



All plots were fertilised with superphosphate, the sorghuQi at the rate of 

 1 cwt. per acre, and the maize at 2 cwt. per acre. 



The most noticeable result in the trials was the heavy yields obtained on 

 Mr. Evans' farm, following after lucerne. Not only were the yields there 

 much heavier, but the crop matured very much more quickly on this plot 

 than on the others on the area. 



Yields of Green Maize on Mr. Edwards' farm :- 



Large Macleay Yellow ... 

 Red Hogan ... 



Yellow Horsetooth 

 Learning ... 

 Narrow Ked Hogan 

 Improved Yellow Dent ... 

 Golden King 



The Giant Sunflower as a Crop. 



" 1 SHALL be much obliged if you will advise me as to the price per ton now 

 oV)tainable for the seed of giant sunflowers. I would also appreciate any 

 information relative to the advantages of growing and marketing this crop." 



The foregoing was received from a correspondent recently. He was 

 informed to the following efl'ect : — 



The market for sunflower send is somewhat limited, the commodity being 

 chiefly used for poultry and bird feed, excepting in Great Britain, which 

 country imports a large quantity for its oil, which is used in the manufacture 

 of soap and candles. The latest price we have heard ([uoted in London is 

 about £.50 per ton, but one local firm state that they are buyers at £3.5 per ton. 



The average yield of seed per acre may he put at 1 ,000 to 1 ,.500 lb. As 

 the land required for most successful growth is usually suited to the produc- 

 tion of broom millet or maize, and as the dry stalks of sunflowers after 

 harvesting are too coarse and librous to be of much value for feed, either of 

 the other crops mentioned would proVjably be more profitable. 



The green stalks are sometimes utilised in silage, especially in cold climates^ 

 where the bulk produced is greater tlian that of maize or any other crop. 

 Befoi'e the war, large quantities of sin flower seed were imported into Great 

 Britain at £13 to £15 per ton from clieap producing countries like Russia, 

 Iiulia, Cliina, and Egj'pt, so that none but a liiniteil local market can be 

 depended on. 



