Contamination of Milk. 



[august, 



number of seed heads on each plant to a very few. The super- 

 fluous heads, when formed, should be removed." 



In a recent number of the Cape Agricultural Journal (January, 

 1908), it is stated that about 10 to 15 lb. of seed per acre is 

 required. The plants take from three to four months to mature. 

 The heads should be harvested before they are thoroughly 

 ripe, and well dried to prevent the formation of mould. The 

 seeds can then be thrashed out with flails, or they may be re- 

 moved by means of revolving cylinders studded with nails. 

 The yield of seed per acre is usually from 900 to 1,500 lb., and 

 the quantity of oil obtained is from 15 to 20 per cent, of the 

 weight of seed. 



Sunflower seed cake does not appear to be used in this country. 

 It is produced principally in Russia and Hungary, Buda Pesth, 

 Riga, and Stettin being the chief markets, and is fed to all kinds 

 of stock. The average composition on the basis of fifty-five 

 analyses by Dietrich and Konig is given as follows : — Water, 

 9 -24 per cent. ; nitrogenous matter, 34 -66 per cent. ; fat, 

 14 -53 per cent. ; nitrogen free extract, 22 -29 per cent. ; fibre, 

 12 -6o per cent. ; ash, 6 -68 per cent. In some experiments 

 made by Dr. Klein, of Proskau, with a view to testing the effect 

 of sunflower seed cake on milk cows, the cake was considered 

 to have increased the flow of milk, but the live weight of the 

 animals and the fat content of the milk were not affected. 

 Dr. Klein considered that the experiment showed this cake to 

 be superior to linseed cake. 



Some further information on the subject will be found in the 

 Agricultural Ledger, 1907, No. 1, which contains an article on 

 the sunflower in India by David Hooper, F.G.S., F.L.S. 



The conditions of the milk supply of the East and West 

 Ridings of Yorkshire have recently formed the subject of an 

 exhaustive investigation on behalf of 

 Contamination of the County Boroughs of Bradford, Hull, 

 Milk. Leeds, Rotherham, and Sheffield, and of 



the County Councils for the East and 

 West Ridings. A Joint Committee was appointed composed 

 of representatives of these local authorities, their medical 

 officers, and of members of the Yorkshire Council for Agri- 

 cultural Education. This Committee appointed Mr. Thomas 



