The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-22
The Peannt Culture. ~
NORFOLK, VA, March Is, 1869.


To the Editors of the Dispatch:
We hand you an article on the culture OF
the Virginia peanut clipped from the Suf-
folk (Va.) Christian Sun. 1t is subject OF
80 much interest to our Virginia and North
Carolina planters that we thought you
would take pleasure in placing 1t before
your numerous readers. This crop is cul-
tivated in the counties of Sussex, Iele of
Wight, surry, Southampton, and Prince
George, which, although ii very poor, are pay
ing a better revenue to farmers than any
other counties in the State. The probable
number of bushels raised last year was
some $50, 900, yielding an income of nearly
81 ,O0O, 900. The Virginia peanut is bought
in northern markets in preference to any
other, and the demand continues much
greater than the supply. ..........
The planting season commences about the
lst of May. -
PEANUT CULTURE. . 81
In the counties between Norfolk and Pc
tersburg the peanut has already become
the great crop-the money crop-and this
year larger crop will be seeded than ever
before. The present high prices are stimu-
lating our farmers to increase the CROP
We give some facts gathered from the
experience Of others in reference to their
culture: ...' ......,.
A light sandy soil, with clay sub-soil.
moderately rich, with lime or mari COM
posted with fresh soil from the fence corr
.ners, applied in the drill or broadcast, pro,
duces the largest yield Of brights marketa,
bic peas. A rioh,g dark, loamyy soil viii
produce heavy growth of vines and much
hay, but not q half-crop Of peas. s3os4
Preparation of Soil. nne
Flush, harrow, and bed the land, throw
UP light ridges over rowssathree feel
apart. after putting in first Peruyian!gu guano
ten pounds to the hundred yards, or shell
lime about ten bushels to the acre, Ths
running pea should be planted eighteer
inches apart in the row, and buried only
about one inch deep. Every fifth row, droI
two or three peas three or four inches apart,
for re-setting. ..''.' .'5 ''''''
- 80 : Cultivation. A-G btaeJA
The fat system of cultivation is con
sidered best. The plowing is generally
done with turn-plow. They require about
three plowings and slight hoe work. y0ga |
Harvesting. ;rava..
The harvesting season is from the 1st K
the goth of October. Just before or aftel
the first frost the crop is dug. They are
generally dug and shocked the same day
After being properly shoehed they reeuirs
no further attention until picked off tn.
vines. The unmssured peas CT "pops :, ars
left on the vines. The vines. when dug be-
fore being hurt by heavy frcsts, Is Tortt
more than corn fodder for horses, mules: 9,
cattle. -. ..e..-,.I
now worth in the Norfolk market from
So to S3.l5 per bushel rofowtwenty -twe
pounds. The usual yield is about forty
bushels to the acre, but many OF. our farm
ers gather as. high as sixty, and some som
seventy-fye bushels to the acre oooo
land, with fair season, will DrIng the
farmer from 500 to $3.50 to the acre. bu,
one crop can be raised on the sarns land
the same year when planted in peanuts.
Our people are slow in taking hold O
new crops, as has been shown in this crop
Twenty-Five years ago, DR.. NJ. Harris q
Sussex county, raised peanuts, and maqe
more money than any Of his neighbors On
the quantity of land cultivated and force
employed. And yet few could see the az
vantages Of the crop. Gradually his neigh.
bors took hold Of the crop, and thus has i
spread untilit is now the leading crop In
Sussex and alltthe adjacent connties.bEBu'
the people have heen twenty five years IN
finding, out whatathey ought to have discoy'
cred in one or two years.
a 1--WE believe the above first appeared il
the Petersburg Fader.l 'sSS.s' t..'1 ii