Helianthus.

H. annum. Annual Sunflower.

Soil And Situation

A light rich soil, and as unshadowed by trees as possible, suits it best. It is now much cultivated for its oil, and as a food for cattle and poultry. The following directions for its culture on a large scale, are applicable on a reduced extent for the garden: -

The earlier the seed can be got into the ground the better, say the beginning of April, as the crop will be ready to harvest the hitter part of August, which will be of the greatest importance to growers. The necessary quantity of seed required for an acre depends upon the conditions of the soil, and varies from four pounds to five pounds; but, of course, it is advisable to sow a little more than is actually wanted, to provide against accidents. The seed should be drilled into the ground, and the distance from row to row eighteen inches; the plants to be thinned out to thirty inches from plant to plant, and the number of plants at this distance would be about 14,500 per acre; at eighteen inches from plant to plant, 25.000 per acre; and at twelve inches from plant to plant, 32,000. The produce of this 37 kind of grain, like that of most others, varies considerably, according to the state of the soil, climate and the cultivation that is employed; but the average quantity of seed is about fifty bushels per acre. This will produce fifty gallons of oil, and of oil-cake 1,500 pounds.

The stalks, when burnt for alkali, give ten hundred weight of potash.