Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-07

ticle Of agricultural produce. The deBcrip-
tive terms in general use are ssinferior, cor
dinaTy," "primen and s'fancy;n bat these
are not so defined as to admit of no inter-
mediate grades. Assuming prime to be the
standard, and that the prime are S2.75 per
bushel, then inferior win be worth, say, 81
to $3.50; ordinary 81 to $3.50; and fancy,
So. Seed peanuts command an extra price,
ranging from 1925 to $3.50. These were
the current prices for the crop Of 1868.
VARIETIES.
There are two very distinct varieties OF
the peanut, known respectively by the
names of the Virginia, and the Carolina
or african. The diversity between them,
however, does not amount to a specific DIFF
ference, the chief characteristics being that
the one has large pod and bean, and the
other small one. The Virginia is cultiva-
ted almost exclusively for eating, while the
Carolina is principally used for the manu-
facture of oil, which cannot be distinguished
from olive oil, and is, accordingly, sold as
such. The standard weight of the Virginia
peanut is twenty-five pounds to the bushel;
that of the Carolina twenty-eight pounds.
In the markets they are always sold by
weight.
A matter of primary Importance is to
provide seeds of good quality for planting;
and in order to be assured of their excel
lence, the planter should either raise them
himself, or buy them of person on whose
fidelity be can rely. If, after the vines are
dug and they are lying in the field they
should be exposed to frosty weather, the
terminating principle would be destroyed
or INN svaA AZ mt h rfT
however, their value is not at all affected.
Neither should the nuts become the least
heated or mouldy; nor should they be
picked off the vines while wet, or before
they are thoroughly cured. 1t is obvious,
therefore, that the most careful attention is
requisite in this matter. Previous to plant
ing, the pods should be carefully shelled and
every faulty bean thrown out; not even the
membrane inclosing the seed should be rup-
tured. Il takes about two bushel Of pea
nuts in the pod to plant an acre.
PROFITS.
The relative profits of peanuts and other
leading crops of the district or country in
which they are severally grown may be de-
termined with near approximation to &C
curacy. Assuming that the average yield
Of cotton to the acre is half bale, or two
hundred and twenty-five pounds, and that
it is worth twenty-five cents pound, the
aggregate proceeds would be $5625. An
average crop of tobacco does not exceed six
hundred pounds, nor the average price $40
per hundred; the gross proceeds would,
therefore, amount to $50. An average crop
Of peanuts is fifty bushels per acre, which
may be put at $3.50 per bushel, aggregating
Sl25; so that it appears that at orie-half
the price, or One-half the product, the pea
nut is as profitable as either cotton or to-
bacco. So far as regards the expense of
preparation and culture, the difference be-
tween peanuts and cotton is inconsiderable;
but the picking Of the cotton is by far more
tedious and labOrious than gathering the
peanuts. As to tobacco, the cropis never
off the hands of the planter, and the culti-
yation is the most expensive Of the three,
leaving, therefore, less clear profit.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
The peanut crop is justly considered ex-
hausting, but no more so, it is believed,
than either of the others with which We
have compared it. Planters who have been
long engaged in the culture say that the
same ground may be planted for a success
sion Of years, provided the vines are restored
to the sol, and moderate application is an
nually made OF guaGO, or other fertilizer.
Cotton, under a similar system, may be
planted on the same land for an indefinite
period without diminution of product.
The vines of the peanut make large
quantity Of very nutritious proveRder,
which is eaten with avidity by cattle. If the
crop is dug before frost, it is equal in value
to any other forage plant. AS the pods are
picked of, the vine should be placed under
shelter secure from the weather.
On account of the profit Of the crop it
has taken the place of tobacco TO a consider i
able extent in places where the soil is
adapted to it. This is the case in the large
counties of Amelia, Not
tOway, Halifax and Brunswick, besides !
others of less note. How far north the cul- |
ture may be extended to advantage is at !
present a matter of conjecture; but in the |
ide-water district of Maryland, and also in
Delaware and the southern part Of New |
Jersey, it well deserves a trial.