62 /'/Yvr.v of tlic Ha-a'cxiian Islaiidx. 



SUNFIyOWBR. 



KxoGKN. Bast Kibrk. Compositcc. Hc/ionthus anmais. 



The Sunflower is a robust annual, indigenous to the western 

 states of North America, sometimes attaining in cuUivation a height 

 of twelve feet. The plant is valued in many countries chiefly for 

 its oil, and is grown extensively in Russia and Germany. Many 

 attemjits have been made to grow the sunflower as a fibre plant, 

 but little is recorded of the result of the undertakings, probably on 

 account of their non-success. Specimens of fibre prepared at the 

 Museum from plants cultivated for flower, were found to vary ex- 

 ceedingly. Taken as a whole they were white, thick, coarse and 

 strong. In this lavSt quality a wide divergence was noticeable, 

 some specimens being extremely tenacious and capable of sustain- 

 ing considerable torsion, and others remarkabl}- brittle. This 

 variation was probably due to the different ages of the plant, which 

 before the produdlion of the seed yields a tougher and more pliant 

 filament, some samples even exceeding sisal fibre in strength. 



The producfts of the sunflower are varied. Its oil has obtained 

 a reputation in the manufacfture of soap, although its value for 

 painting, lubricating and table use is exaggerated. Its seeds are 

 an excellent food for poultry, and make splendid oil cake for cattle. 

 Bees are eagerly attrac5ted by its flowers, which yield a pleasing 

 honey, and its fibre is well suited for cordage and paper. Although 

 it does not promise to ever take a prominent place among fibre- 

 producing plants, its growth would probabl}^ be remunerative in 

 small quantities when allied with the raising of bees and poultr5\ 

 This plant yields its products in a few months and is well suited 

 for producing rapid vegetation upon undesirable swampy land. 



In conclusion, it appears well proved that the majority of use- 

 ful fibre-3'ielding plants may be grown in Hawaii, but not with 

 equal success from a pecuniary standpoint. With its advantages 

 of climate this Territory is able to select its vegetable producT:s in 

 a way possible to few other countries, and the inferior and less re- 

 munerative class may thus be ignored. As with most other indus- 

 tries, however, the absence of cheap labor offers great obstacles to 

 the ])rodu(5tion of those fibres depending chiefly upon manual pre- 

 paration. The fibres which will be most successful in Hawaii 



