Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-09

ALL ABOUT THE PEANUT.
Where II Ii Grown aDa how II Is Eaten-The Trade at
Home and Aboaa-Whst are we COMING tor

Where II il Grown asa how It Is Eaten-The Trade 1t
Home and Aboad-whst are we Coming TOT
In the present article we propose to
treat somewhat of that very 'sungenteel"
article, the peanut, which finds such an
excellent market in Cincinnati.
With view to learn few facts not
generally known outside of those actively
engaged in the trade, our reporter called
at business house on Maine street, and
through the kindness of one of the gentle
manly proprietors, was able to learn what
follows
During the present season Sc, 200 bags,
or l50, 900 bushels, mostly of the Tennessee
kind, have already been brought to mar
ket. Of this amount, the city consump-
ton reaches 5000 bags, or %, 900 bushels,
which is just double that of last year. Its
cheapness and the ease with which its soft
shell may be broken make it favorite
with the boys, old persons. and, indeed, in
many classes. The demand is rapidly in
creasing, and it is thought the receipts
next year will reach near 300, 900 bushels.
There are many old men and old wo-
men 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
patrons. The eater has. as general
thing, pungent odor to his breath, which
makes him almost as great nuisance in a
crowd as one who INDUCES in the ques-
tionable luxury of Limburger cheese.
THE TENNESSEE PEANUT.
The Tennessee Peanut, which finds its
principal market here, and which is in
deed the only kind that reaches here in
any quantities, excels those of all other sec
tions in the United States, with the excep-
ton Of the Virginia nut, which has. at
least, the merit of being carefully cultiva
ted and prepared. The Tennessee crop
will this year amount to about 100000
bushels. the market being divided be-
tween Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and ST.
Louis. very small proportion reaching
the latter place, and less than one-tenth
finding its way to Pittsburgh. Probably
1000 bushels will cover the receipts at
both places for the year. Much Of the
crop, however, which promised well ear
ly in the season, and which would have
thrown not less than 200, 900 bushels upon
this market, has been destroyed by frost
and thrown away.
Early in the season when great activity
had set in, the market was flooded by an
inferior quality. which has since caused
buyers to be cautious. During the sea-
son the prices have ranged from three to
eight cents per bushel for unpicked, and
eight to eleven cents for repicked, which
is considered good standard.
OTHER KINDS.
The Georgia and Carolina crops, which
find a marketin Wilmington, and which
are generally known as the "Wilmington
| y 81 I
900 bushels. which is large incr ease
smaller than either the Tennessee or Vir-
ginia, and does not command as good
prices.
The Virginia crop, probably 100000
bushels, finds its main market in Rich
mond, but also reaches New York, Phila-
delphia, and other points, where tits very
popular. This nut is much larger and
sweeter than any other, and is the favorite
wherever used. The superiority doubt
less lies much in the manner of cultivation,
the Virginia grower giving great attention
and care to it. The seeds are full of oil,
which, when expressed, is said TO be de-
licious.
In this connection it may not be out of
place to mention few facts about the
peanut which are not generally known.
yet which all should be familiar with.
THE NATURE OF THE PEANUT.
1t is the seed of an herbaceous plant.
belonging to the natural order of legu'ni-
nos9. In growing, the ovary gradually
elongates, and. curving downward, it
buries it, elf in the earth, where it natures
into an oblong pod, with thickened and
veined valves this, when mature, is of
male vellOw 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, when
expressed, is said to be in no way inferior
to the olive.
The plant is tropical. and is largely
cultivated in not countries for food, as in
the Southern United States. in South
America and in Africa. The seeds are
eaten both raw and roasted, the latter be-
ing the tavorite.
The growth of this trade in the United
States is astonishing, and it is thought by
many who have given attention to the SUBJ
ject that within few years 1t will have
doubled its present proportions. What to
expect, then, if this be true, it is difficult
to determine but when we consider that
our theaters, and other public gathering
places, already have an atmosphere
redolent of the peanut stand, the matter
begins to look serious. To-day we see
people munching the horrid things"
everywhere on the street, in the cars, in
the stages-scattering the shells abroad
with the utmost Indifference. But this is
an age of progress, and these signs OF
progression, no matter how distasteful to
the sensitive nature, must be borne.
| From, the Cincinnati Chronicie.