SUNFLOWER. 319 



The seeds are afterwards dried in the sun and then, where 

 possible, run through a winnower. 



A bag of seed weighs about 100 lbs., and ten bags per 

 acre is considered a good yield. 



Uses. — (1) The seed is used principally for poultry, but 

 forms a valuable part of the ration for sheep, pigs, and other 

 livestock. 



(2) Silage. — This has been tried in the United States, 

 and as a mixture with beans and maize is said to give good 

 returns. 



In a recent publication^ Dr. Shutt concludes " that 

 sunflowers make a satisfactory, acceptable soiling and silo 

 crop, in districts in which the season is too short, the nights 

 too cool, and the rainfall insufficient for the best results with 

 maize. . . . The exact stage at which to obtain the largest 

 amount of digestible dry matter per acre is not as yet known, 

 but would appear to be when about 10 per cent, of the plants 

 are in bloom. If left much later, the increase in dry matter 

 appears to be more than offset by the marked increase in fibre 

 content, leading to a decided decrease in the digestibility of 

 the silage." 



Composition ]\Iaize and Sunflower Silage. 



From these analyses it will be seen that sunflower silage 

 cut at the right stage is very similar in composition to maize 

 silage, but contains a slightly higher percentage of crude pro- 

 tein, fat, and ash, than the latter. 



The Grootfontein School of Agriculture claims excellent 

 results from ensilaging sunflowers. 



(3) The largest production is in Russia, where the crop 

 is grown to a large extent for oil. The oil is said to be 

 superior to both almond and olive oil for table and cooking 

 purposes, and is also used in the manufacture of soap and 

 candles, and for lighting. 



