4
b

dozen other varieties tested, none yielded as great a tonnage as the Mammoth Russian.
They also report a new variety known as “Improved Siberian,’ recently imported from
Russia. It is said to be about two weeks earlier than the Mammoth Russian and to
make a sweeter, drier silage.

Yields of sunflowers have been condistently: larger than yields of corn at all of the
experimental stations in Western Canada. The difference in yield varies all the way
from twenty to one hundred per cent. more sunflowers than corn.

In general, very successful results are obtained with corn in the southern areas of
the three Prairie Provinces, and the yield per acre of corn and sunflowers in these dis-
tricts may run fairly equal. In the northern sections of these provinces, where the
season is shorter, and moisture more plentiful, sunflowers find their greatest usefulness,
and the yield may be expected to exceed the yield of corn anywhere from forty to one
hundred per cent., depending on the season, type of soil and cultivation received.

Seed and Seeding—Experiments have been made for the purpose of finding out the
ay time to seed sunflowers, the best rate of seeding and best distance apart to plant
the rows.

The results of the date of seeding tests were clearly in favor of May 10th to May
20th for planting.

The results of the rate of seeding tests showed that 10 to 12 pounds of seed per acre
is ample. Eight pounds would probably be sufficient for seed of high quality.

The best distance apart to plant the rows is 36 to 42 inches. Planting may be done
with the ordinary grain drill. A sufficient number of the feed outlets should be
plugged to permit of planting only in rows 36 to 42 inches apart, whichever is desired.
It is wise to test the seed for germination some time before planting, as weevils are often
present in sunflower seed, and seed of poor germination is not uncommon. The seed
should be planted about 114 inches deep. After seeding, it is advisable to pack and
harrow the soil.

Cultivation—The land for sunflowers should be prepared the same as for corn. If a
crust forms on the soil, a light harrowing either just before the plants come through or
soon afterwards is beneficial. After the plants are 4 to 8 inches high, the ordinary corn
cultivator or potato scuffler may be used. While the plants are young, the field should
be cultivated sufficiently to keep down weeds. When they are fairly well grown, they
will shade the ground so thoroughly that- weeds will not grow.

Harvesting—Unless frost stops growth, the sunflowers should not be harvested
before they are 50 to 60 per cent. in blossom. The nearer the crop can be brought to the
milk stage of the seed, the better will be the quality of the silage it will make. Analyses
at Ottawa of several samples of sunflower silage, ensiled at various stages in the growth
of the plants, have shown that the mature plant has a higher nutritive value than the
young immature plant. In addition, the dry matter content of sunflowers increases as the
crop approaches maturity. Sunflowers are apparently uninjured by several light frosts in
the Fall, but a heavy frost may do considerable damage.

The corn binder is the most satisfactory implement for harvesting sunflowers. It is
asking rather too much of the ordinary grain binder to use it for cutting sunflowers.
Cutting by hand is a satisfactory, but slow and laborious, method of harvesting the crop.

ENSILING SUNFLOWERS

Whatever the method of harvesting, it will be found an advantage to have the
bundles small and securely tied, as this makes easier feeding into the silage cutter. An
ordinary flat hayrack is the best outfit for hauling in the green sheaves.

The crop having been hauled from the field to the silo, the next step is the cutting
and packing into the silo. There are several makes of silage cutters on the market, and
they all seem to give satisfaction. The capacity of the machine to be purchased is an
important point to consider. It should be large enough to do the work rapidly. It is not
wise, however, to get a machine so large that it will overload the motor or engine used.
The power required for a cutter and blower, if a gasoline engine is used, is about one
horse-power for each inch in the cutting cylinder. A fifteen-inch cutter will require a
fifteen-horse-power engine.

Most silage cutters are so constructed that sunflowers or corn may be cut in lengths
from 4% to 1 inch when four knives are used, or twice these lengths when only two knives
are in the machine. Experience has demonstrated that the %-inch cut or even shorter
gives the best results. The finer the crop is cut, the better it will pack into the silo and
exclude the air.

To make good silage, it is necessary that the cut material be levelled and packed
down in the silo as it is being filled. In the case of tower or pit silos, there should be
one or two men in the silo to distribute and tramp the material during the filling process.
In trench silos the packing is very important and can best be done by using a horse.

A loose-leaf binder for holding these Farm News Sheets may be had at the small
price of 50c, postage paid, with index and news sheets issued to date. This special offer
is to encourage the keeping and filing of information for quick reference when wanted.
See the Farm News Service page in our General Catalogue for further information.

If you receive an extra copy of a bulletin, please pass it on to a friend or neighbor.

The information contained in this bulletin is received from reliable sources, but the
Company does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damage which
any person may sustain in carrying out or in attempting to carry out the suggestions. .