626 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Oct., 1918. 



Uses of Sunflower 5eed. 



The oil obtained by expression from tbe seeds is the most important 

 product of the sunflower, and is valuable for many purposes. The chief 

 industrial uses of the oil are for woollen dressing, in paints, illumination, 

 and candle and soap making; for the latter purpose it is superior to 

 most oils. When properly treated it is used on the most delicate 

 machinery as a lubricator. Cold pressed oil from seed of good quality is 

 almost tasteless, and the better grades of oil are consequently suitable 

 for use in the manufacture of butter substitutes, for culinary purposes, 

 and as a salad oil. Druggists use the refined oil in perfuming linaments, 

 salves, and hair lotions. It may also be used in the making of demulcent 

 and soothing emulsions. Roasted and ground, the seeds are used as a 

 substitute for coffee, and a fine sweet bread may be made from the flour 

 of the seeds. In parts of Russia the seed is preferred for consumption, 

 as the peanut is treated here. In some parts of Europe a bouillon is 

 made of them which is used as food for infants. The seeds usually 

 consist of about equal proportions of husk and kernel; the husk being 

 tough, fibrous, and rather absorbent, should be removed before expressing 

 the oil. The weight of a bushel of sunflower seed varies from 25 to 

 35 lbs., according to the quality of the seed, but 30 lbs. may be taken 

 as a fair average. 



The composition of the seeds and kernels is shown in the following 

 table (Wiley, loc. cit. 27) :— 



Moisture 



Fat .. 



Crude proteins 



Carbohydrates, &c 



Crude fibre 



Ash . . 



The sunflower is a good bee plant, and when in bloom yields a large 

 amount of honey and pollen. Few economic plants are more valuable 

 than the sunflower, and it would appear to deserve greater attention for 

 commercial purposes than has so far been accorded it in the Common- 

 wealth. 



TURKEY BREEDING. 



Hints to Beginners. 



By A. Hart, Chief Poultry Expert. 

 Though turkeys can be reared in any part of Yictoria, they are very 

 susceptible to cold, and consequently thrive best in the northern districts, 

 where, in addition to the advantages of warmer weather, there is an 

 abundance of insects, and, in many places, of thistles. Turkey rearing 

 can be carried on most easily and profitably on large farms, for if given 

 a free range of a wide, rich pasture, the birds will find most of their own 



