The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-20
From the Philadelphia Model Courier
The Pindar Pea.
by A PRACTICAL FARMER

BY A PRACTICAL FARMER.
This is grown in the southern parts Of the United
States and also in the middle States and comes To
perfection where the soil Is iavorable-that is TO
say, light sandy loan, such as produces the best
melons and sweet potatoes In the South il is
called by the different names of Ground pea Pindar
pea, and Gouber pea. The plant is an annual, with
long, trailing branches, and bearing its fruit under
ground. IL a native of Mexico, and extensively
cultivated in the West India islands, where it 10
much eaten by the negroes as an important article
of food. II is now cultivated in the south of France
oil PLAINTIFF oil expressed from the nuts be-
ing almost equal for table use, to that obtained
from the olive. Ii is very excellent for burning.
bushcl of the nuts produce, by cold expression,
a gallon OF oil. BY heat large proportion can be
obtained, but of an inferior quality.
communication published some time since in
the Tallahassee Fioridion, speaks in high terms Of
the ground-nut, or Pindar pea, the oil from which
is described as in some respects uncqualled as an
accompaniment 10 the table, being clear and mild,
with a peculiar taste extremely gratifying TO the
palate rich and buttcry. IL is peculiarly adapted
To the preparation of salads, anchovies, &c.
Among plants, the writer observes, the Gouber
ranks deservedly one of the surest crops, not
withholding u generous yield even poor land,
and amply acknowledging the superiority of rich
land, if light and frable. The pea is easily gath
cred, and with lees labor than any of the seeds or
beans, is ready for the press. When hulled, which
is most readily effected, and ground, the oil hows
most freely and uncommonly clear from the press;
but when submitted TO the known modes of clarity
diately bottled and sealed it retains great fresh
ness, and fine odour highly agreeable 10 the anne
tours of vegetable oils in the preparation Of dishes
The refuse after expression IL admirable for hogs,
and the vine for stock not returned TO the soil in
gathering the pea; il saved and cured, which is
effected with much case, II mixes well in the cut
ting box with the straw of rye, barley, oats and
rice. The product of the fodder alone is estimated
at more than ton TO an acre, and Of peas, when
cultivated alone and properly, fifty TO seventy five
bushels The plant-continues the same writer's
cultivated much north of us but from fair trial il
is found that il delights in the rays of a warm
southern sun, and that the product under such
circumstances IL richer, possessing finer aroma
than the oil from the same plant produced i'm vr-
ginia and Carolina. Oil is procured with less labor
and expense from this pea than from any other
seed, bean pea we know Of IL is hulled and
ground by machinery and the press required for the
extraction is neither very powerful nor expensive
The production of this oil for commerce challenges
the carly attention of planters, and small as well as
large capitalists. Any quantity could be produced
and prepared for market, great part OF the labor
being Of that kind adapted to al classes Chill
dren, old persons, and even cripples--all might be
engaged in the culture and preparation OF this new
and valuable product Of the soil After little use,
there is no doubt that this oil would become sue
eessful rival of the best table oil of Europe.
Meslin.
In the eastern and northern portions of the Uni
ted States, II is a common practice TO SOW broad
cast a mixture of peas and Gate, which, ripenlng
together, mown and saved provcnder; and
very strong and excellent food for horses does this
meslin--as IL is callcd-sfford The seeds are
thresbed out and fed separately from the stems and
straw, which last make good fodder. The pea
generally chosen for this crop is the green pea
from Canada, which rpens about the same time
with the oats; whilst growing, the oats acts the
part OF supporters. Peas and oats often ground
together as food for fattening cattle, and are
sidered valuable, though not perhaps much 80 as
unrnixed Indian meal. Forty bushels Of peas and
oats per acre is reckoned large crop. The com.
mon proportions sown one fourth peas and
| three tourths oats, but some farmers SOW At the
rate of one third peas and two thirds oats.