Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-08-23
ALL ABOUT PEANUTS.
Where Il IL Grown and how II Is Eaten-The
Trade at Home and Abroad-What
we Coming to.
From the Cincinnati Chronicle.

genteel' article, the peanut, which
finds such an excellent market in the
North.
With view to learning a few of
the facts not generally known out
side Of those actively engaged in the
trade, our reporter called at bust
ness house on Main street. Through
the kindness of one of the gentle
manly proprietors, he was able to
learn what follows.
During the present season 10000
bags, or 10000 bushels, most ly of
the Tennessee kind, have already
been brought to market. OF this
amount, the city consumption reach
es 5, 900 bags, or 25, 900 bushels which
is just double that Of last year. It's
cheapness and the ease with which
its soft shell may be broken make it
favorite with boys, and grown per-
SOUS. The demand is rapidly in
creasing, and it is thought the re-
ceipts next year will reach near 300
600 bushels.
There are many old men and old
women in Cincinnati who make their
living at peanut stands, and their
business is largely advertised at all
public gathering places by the odor
emitted from the breaths and pock-
cts of their thoughtless patrons
The eater, as a general thing, has
pungent odor to his breath, which
makes him almost as great nuis-
ance in a crowd as one who indulg-
es in the questionable luxury OF Linn
burger cheese.
THE TENNESSEE PEANUT.
The Tennessee peanut, which finds
its principal market here, and which
is indeed the only kind that reaches
here in any quantities, excels those
of all other sections in the United
States, with the exception Of the
Virginia nut, which has, at least, the
merit Of being carefully cultivated
and prepared The Tennessee crop
will this year amount to about 300,-
600 bushels, the market being divid-
ed between Cincinnati, Pittsburgh
and st. Louis, a very small proper
ton reaching the latter place, and
less than one-tenth finding its way
to Pittsburgh. Probably $4,000
bushels will cover the receipt at both
places for the year. Much of the
crop which promised we'll early in
the season, and which would have
thrown not less than 100000 bush
els upon this market, has been des-
troyed by frost and thrown away.
Early in the season when great
activity had SGT in, the market was
flooded by an inferior quality. which
has since caused buyers to be eau
tious. During the season the prices
have ranged from three to eight cts.
per bushel for unpicked, and eight to
eleven cents for repicked, which is
considered q good standard.
OTHER KINDS.
The Georgia and Carolina crops,
which find a market in Wilmington,
and which are generally known as
the Wilmington nut" will this year
reach 10000 or 1851 bushels,
which IS a large increase over any
former year. This nut is much small
er than either the Tennessee or Vir-
ginia, and does not command as good
prices.
The Virginia crop, probably AGO.
600 bushels, finds its main market in
Richmond, but also reaches New
York, Philadelphia, and other points
where it is very popular. This nut
is much larger and sweeter than any
other, and is the favorite wherever
used. The superiority doubtless lies
much in the manner of cultivat ton,
the Virginia grower giving great at
tention and care to it. The seeds
are full of oil. which, when express
ed, is said to be delicious.
In this connection it may not be
out Of place to mention few facts
about the peanut which are not gen.
orally known.
THE NATURE OF THE PEANUT.
1t is the seed of an herbaceous
plant. belonging TO the natural order
of teguminoSG, In growing, the ovary
gradually elongates, and, curving
downward, it buries itself in the
earth, where it natures into an OBJ
long pod, with thickened and vcined
valves this, when mature, is of q
pale, yellow color, often contracted
in the middle, and contains from one
to three seeds Of an irregular ovoid
shape. The seeds are full of oil,
which is said to be in no way inferi-
or to the olive.
The plant is tropical, and is large
ly cultivated in hot countries for
food, as in Southern United States,
in South America and in Africa
The seeds are eaten both raw and
roasted.
The growth Of this trade in the
United States is astonishing, and it
is thought by many who have given
attention to the subject that within
very few years it will have doubled
its present proportions. What to
expect, then, if this be true, it is diff
ficult to determine; but when we
consider that our theatres, and other
public gathering places, already have
an atmosphere redolent of peanut
stands, the matter begins to look Sc
rious. To-day we see people MUNICH
ing the "horrid things" everywhere
on the street, in the cars and stages
scattering the shells abroad with
the utmost Indifference. But this is
an age of progress, and these signs
of progression no mstter how dis
tasteful to sensitive people, must be
borne.
t9-No prize will be offered at the
coming State Fair in classes of ma
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