It is an ideal crop for some regions because there are few plants which will endure such prolonged droughts and yet recover to grow luxuriantly when rain falls. Further, peanuts enrich the soil instead of depleting it. In addition to several million acres planted in the United States for food and industrial uses, a million or more acres are grown for livestock feed and forage. The late Dr. George Washington Carver, famous Negro agricultural chemist, persuaded southern farmers to diversify their crops and help their land by planting peanuts and sweet potatoes instead of cotton. Then he developed over 300 uses for peanuts, including such products as cheese, milk, coffee, flour, ink, dyes, soap, wood stains, insulating board, and some important plastic materials.
Peanuts are remarkably rich in food values.
They are rich in B vitamins. The lower grades of oil are used for industrial purposes. The stems, leaves and pods make excellent hay. The height of restraint is to eat just one peanut. Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs, Harold Myron, Ph.D., Division Director.