Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 723 



which are equal to maize for ensilage, and that the much greater bulk of sun- 

 flowpr fodder which can be grown in cold climates, as compared with maize, at 

 once places the former crop in a good position if satisfactory silage can be 

 obtained from it at all. The Department has therefore made arrangements 

 to have sunflowers tested as a silage crop on some of its experiment farms 

 this season, and also to get some data as to yields in the colder portions of 

 the State as compared with maize. 



A few hints as to the method of growing sunflowers are given here for 

 those who wish to make a trial oi this crop. 



For fodder or ensilage the rows should be 3 or 3| feet apart and the plants 

 6 to 8 inches apart in the drills. From 10 to 12 lb. of seed per acre will be 

 required, and sowing can be made with the maize drill or with the wheat 

 drill by sowing through three tubes. Under irrigation about 15 or 16 lb. of 

 seed per acre should be used, while in the drier districts about 6 lb. per acre 

 will be sufficient. 



The cultivation should be similar to that of maize, the keeping of the crop 

 clean and free from weeds in the early stages of growth being the first 

 essential. Cutting for fodder or ensilage can begin when the plants begin to 

 flower ; this will usually he about three months after planting. It is 

 imperative that the last of the ci'op should be cut by the time it is half in 

 bloom. A heavy crop is difficult to cut with the maize binder, and unless 

 handled carefully the large heads are somewhat difficult to put through the 

 cutter. 



Until the results of some of the Departmental tests with the production 

 and feeding of sunflower silage are availahle, it would be advisable for any 

 farmers who grow sunflowers this season for silage to mix them with maize 

 in about equal quantities as they go through the cutter into the silo 



The Department has introduced a few of the best varieties from America 

 and Canada for trial, and these will be tested this season at one of the 

 experiment farms for fodder production. 



Minnesota's Dairy Industry. 



The Minnesota Farmers' Institute Annual illustrates the growth of the 

 dairy industry in that State in the following figures : — 



1890. 1918. 



Number of cows ... 566,000 1,368,000 



Milk per cow 1>,800 lb. 4,32.5 1b. 



Butter-fat per cow ... 110 „ 161 ,, 



Earnings per cow ... 151- dollars 801 dollars. 



Gross returns 8,700,000" „ 109,768,000 



It is to be feared that a similar comparison for New South Wales would 

 not be nearly so striking, hut dairy-farmers have tlie opportunity in their 

 own hands. Knowledge of the production of each individual in the herd 

 and of the hereditary value of the bull are the elementary essentials. 



