The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-16

this year promises to be larger by many
thousands Of bushels than that Of any year
heretofore. Consequently, the nuts will be
cheaper, and this is some consolation in
these times Of high prices. As matter OF
fact, peanuts are not the insignificant product
that many persons imagine. In this case, as
in many others, figures are interesting. Ten
nessee, Virginia, and North Carolina supply
nearly all the peanuts consumed in the
United States and Oanadas. For the ten
years 1870 1880 the total number Of bushels
raised was $3.50, 900, OF which Tennessee sup
piled 100000, Virginia 4,3S5,O0O, and North
Carolina $4,000. In 1880 the crop was
2,l2O,OO0 bushels, and owing to the plentiful
supply, the prices were low. Last year,
owing to a drought, the crop was only one
half Of what was expected, and prices rose In
proportion. Until last year Spanish peanuts,
which are smaller than the peanuts grown
here, were imported for use In confectionery
Three years ago Spanish peanut seed was
sown IN Virginia, and it is expected that the
crop this year will supply the demand OF
confectioners In 1873 80 TAG pounds OF sheled
peanuts and other ground nuts, worth s., 1877
we're imported. In 1881 the figures dropped
to 5,754 pounds worth $432. In the same
years the comparison Of peanuts and other
ground nuts, not shelled, WAS 1882 pounds,
worth $3.50. TO 1888 pounds, worth $723.
Europe is supplied by the west coast of
Africa. South America also raises large
quantities African and Spanish peanuts are
the only ones imported now. Curacao for
merly sent some here, but she has dropped
out Of the market entirely In this country
we have Virginia, Wilmington, and red and
10 Uir,ri mi "a
command the highest price. Most Of the
| Wilmington nuts go westward One firm In
| this city handled $4,000 bushels last year.
The total consumption of peanuts In the
United States in 1878, 1879, and 1880 was 4,373,-
900 bushels, which, ut the average price OF
| 81 10 bushcl, or five cents u pound, realized
at Wholesale $4slO,3oO, or an average of
| 81 ,603, 1873 a year. The consumer can ponder
over these significant figures. In round
numbers 139,956,Ooo quarts, or 279,s72O00
pints, or $50, IA, 900 half pints were eaten, be-
Ing an average Of 90, 29O,6 66 pints year
AS an article Of food the peanut Is the most
popular nut raised, and, it ID said, is now
more universally eaten than ever before.
With the exception OF coating it with sugar
| in various forms Of confectionery, it ID eaten
| in the same manner to-day as IL was when
first discovered; and the demand for peanuts
with O clean, white, brittle shell, and a
plump, crisp kernel is so great that cultiva-
tors take as many precautions in raising their
crops as they would in raising grapes. The
seed must be sown after shallow ploughing in
a light sandy or loamy soil that has sufficient
calcareous substance. They are hardy nuts,
growing from half an inch to an inch and a
half under ground; and unless the soil is
weak nitrates arc not needed. Two varie-
ties are cultivated, one growing from a
| trailing vino and the other from n bunchy
vine. At each joint OF the vine point
sprouts, penetrates the ground, and the for
nation Of the peanut begins, one kernel
forming at time. In due course of time q
plough, somewhat like O potato plough, is run
under the ridges, and the nuts are looscned
from tho ground. Then stakes are driven
into the ridges, and connected by rails In
sets Of four about two feet and q half apart
The vines are gathered In shocks on the
rails 80 that the leaves can shield the nuts
while they are drying, without being burned
too brown or spoiled by too much dampnGss
They remain in shocks for nearly three
weeks before they are harvested,
Taking into consideration that there IL
|
peanut, there Is no doubt that its future Is
not unimportant. In France 1t Ii chiefly
used In making oil by compression, and the
principal use Of the oil is in tho making o
soap. There the kernels are also, 1t Is said
used in tho making Of chocolate. Wher
lubrcating oils were high In this country
during the civil war, peanut oil was com
pressed in small quantities, but not any il
made now, 1t is believed. In one shape OF
another the consumption in this country il
by devouring. There is n suspicion that som,
of the nuts not fit for eating raw or roastct
find their way into peculiar mixtures
reminds one Of tho story OF II speculate
who for long time had several barrels o
sailed cells on his hands. Ho could not fine
n customer, and everybody wondered hoV
no would take his loss. One day the barrels
were missing and the speculator was smiling
Some time afterward the sausages that thu
merchants had for breakfast wcro cxtrcmcl,
, salty but the speculator never thought |
necessary to explain. The suspicion Ia car
: ried by some to imported olive oil and vari
Gus other articles One would suppose tina
, the kernols might he roasted brown enough