HELIANTHI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1662, 31 January 1913, Page 8

HELIANTHI.

VIEWS OF A GOVERNMENT EXPERT.' From timo to time various opinions have ]>ebii expressed as to tho value of Helianthi,. the cultivation of which is similar to that for potatoes, but Mr. E. Clifton, Director of the Fields and Experiments Division of the' Department of Agriculture, is not a great admirer of the tuber for New Zealand conditions. Referring to the variety of Helianthi icsembling the wild artichoke, Mr. Clifton ,says the tubers provide a food of about the same value as potatoes, and the experience at the experimental farms is that stock do not readily consume them. It has been noted, too, that this applies to the artiohoke, which is also not acceptable to stock. .. . ■

Those who are interested in this plant advocate that nigs should lie enclosed on nn area of. Helianthi and be permitted to root up the tubers as they may desire, but at Rnakura, where this was tested, the pigs did not root.up or consume any ,npprcciablo amount of them. The stalks nroduce an enormous weight of matter, but stock have no greater relish for this port of the'plant than for the tuber. This represents the present experience at the experimental farms, but further trials are being made. • It would anpcnr, says Mr. Clifton, that Helianthi frill be discovered to be in the category of plants that arc useful- only whilo ardently advertised.' just as'.with some patent medicines. This is the experience with once well-advertised plants, suoh as prickly comfrey, teosinte, the Wagner fiat pea, and sulla. These were wonrl.T plants, and none remain in farm prnctice. ' It must be remembered, Mr. Clifton adds; that the conditions in the countries where these plants are availed, of with l>"nefit ar» very different to tlin.'p of New Zealand.. There may be aridity, or the stock may be irenernlly stall-fed. Under the first eondition the g''e c n stalks would be readily eaten. 'In stall* stock consume tho roots that mnv be offered, and most.certainly stock would find the stalks palatable. Quite n different condition anplies in New' Zealand. Si-nck aro lrrazed in the field for practically the whole year, they are accustomed to the green rrass. and do not avail themselves of foods of -unusual flavour. The root of Helianthi has the earthin«ss so well kno"-n in the artichoke, and tha stalk a flavour between acridity and pun-rency. ■-'..' ♦,

There nre, says Mr. Clifton, no indications obtained, frofti New Zealand State Farm experience, that' Hie extended cultivation of this nlant should be undertaken. '

, Record entries have been received for the, Feildiug A. and P. Show which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday next, February i and 5. The, exhibits have" been drawn from a much larger area than hithertofore, and-.some.of the best stock in the Dominion will be competing, especially in the Romney' Marsh and Southdown sheep classes. Leaping and' other ring competitions are well filled by somo noted crack horses, and the hacks and harness horses : should be worth going a long way to see. Sheep and dairy cattle havo always.been the great features of this' fixture, and this year will prove no exception to the general rule. Holiday excursion fares, available up to February 13, will be issued by ■ tho Railway Department.. A WINNER OF COMPETITIONS. Tho Egg-laying competitions for 1910-11 and 1911-12 were both won by pens reared on "A. and P." Chick Raiser. The first eisontial for profitable poultry keeping. Obtainable from, all Storekeepers,—Advt."