14 



which is most cultivated in this country at the present day for orna- 

 ment and for production of seeds is known as " Russian. r The sun- 

 flower finds various uses in Russia. The larger and liner sunflower 

 seeds are highly relished as a delicacy by the Russians, even of the 

 upper classes, and great quantities of them are eaten raw. In palata- 

 bility and wholesomeness they are quite equal or superior to the nuts 

 of common consumption. The poorer and less perfect seeds furnish 

 an oil which is somewhat turbid and bitter and is of second quality, 

 while the better and more mature seeds provide the edible oil so 

 extensively used in Russia in replacement of all the vegetable oils 

 formerly used in that country. The stalks, straw, and chaff of the 

 sunflower are highly prized for fuel, furnishing in some localities of 

 the Empire almost all the fuel employed. 



The extent and importance of the sunflower industry in Russia was 

 fully set forth in the report of Consul-General Crawford, of St. 

 Petersburg, a few years ago. 1 This report gives the number of acres 

 under cultivation in the different governments of Russia, the character 

 of the soil and of the fertilizers used, and the methods of sowing and 

 cultivating. The report also calls attention to the chemical composi- 

 tion of the plant and the lime, potassium, and phosphoric acid which 

 it takes from the soil. The method of harvesting and thrashing the 

 seed is also fully described, and attention is called to the use of the 

 cakes, after the expression of the oil, as cattle food. It is stated that 

 the oil produced from the seed is largely consumed in Russia, only a 

 small quantity being exported. The largest amount exported in any 

 one year was 1,490,000 pounds, worth $170,900. 



The publication of this report in 1892 served to call the attention of 

 the people of the United States to this valuable plant and also to 

 encourage the cultivation of it on a much larger scale than had ever 

 before been attempted in this country. 



EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 



Sulzer Brothers, of Madison, Ind., dealers in sunflower seeds, in 

 answer to an inquiry, wrote the following letter, dated September 

 3, 1895: 



We are in receipt of your favor of August 26, and would have answered immedi- 

 ately, but have been awaiting the arrival of the first consignment of our new crop of 

 sunflower seed. The same arrived to-day, and we send 1 pound each of the Striped 

 Russian and the ordinary black. The Russian seed is what is wanted at present, 

 having taken the place of the old-style black. Now, I have read several accounts of 

 sunflower culture in Russia, and I think also in Italy, but am not certain as to the 

 latter country. As to America, I can not find where the oil is being expressed or 

 used. All the use that I can find for the seed is for feeding birds. If there is a mill 

 in the United States that presses sunflower seed I am not aware of it. Last season 

 we handled about 100 tons, and expect to double the quantity this season. It does 



*See Consular Report, February, 1892, No. 137, pp. 233 to 246, inclusive. 



