National Republican., 1884-10-09
OUR CIRCUS FRUIT.
Something About the History, Cuiti-
walton, and Product OF the Peanut
in Virginia aud Elsewhere.

in Virginia and Elsewhere.
Norfot vTrginian.
The peanut is a native Of Africa, and
It's history az an article of traffic is inti-
mately associated with that Of its brother
or better, perhaps, its progonitor, the
negro. Before tho war IL was grown only
in small patches" for family use, but
whom tho Yankees came south TO give
freedom to tho man and brother they
tasted the dainty nut, and whilo thoy did
not fall so much in love with IL ne did tho
soldiers Of Xnoophon with the lotos. they
liked its dainty flavor, and when they got
homo began to olamor for II. This was
tho beginning of tho peanut industry,
and IL is pleasing coincidence that pea
nuts should have raised themselves to
greater things on tho stepping stones OF
their dead brother. tho colored man. 1t
may also bo mentioned that the peanut,
like the colored man. has much improved
its condition by coming in contact with
American civilization, and the Africa pen,
which was once largely imported into this
country, is no longer favorito here rs m
article of diet, but is manufactured into
oil, finding its market principally In Mar
settles, France.
The peanut Is grown in tho counties Of
Southampton, Nansemond, Isle of Wight,
Surry. Sussex, Prince George, Gloucester,
Princess Anne, Norfolk. and few in
Warwick and Charles City. For few
years past they have been grown success
fully in eastern Carolina, and the crop In
that section this year is worry promising.
And, by the way, tho governor Of Della
ware mentioned tho other day that they
are now grown in that state with success.
He declared that some of the farmers mado
100 bushels to the acre. But tho governor
had just exchanged courtesies with the
senator from his state. Tho following
circular with reference to the cultivation
Of peanuts has been prepared by Messrs.
Barham & Pollard, of this city, and Is
formulated from reports of some Of the
most successful growers in the peanut
section:
/. Select land between light and mo-
dium soil
Q. Use lime or mari, say thirty to forty
bushels Of Stacked limo or 150 bushels OF
mari per aero.
3. Plow land in March; drag we'll and
cleanse of all grass Ridge up in three
furrow beds, three feet apart, then cut
down, using n piece OF scantliug, say 2 by
inches, sufficiently long to level two
rows at o time, with shafts attached
drawn by one horse.
4. Plant from 1st to 10th of May, IL
season Is warm and favorable, about four
teen inches apart In the row; cover with
the foot one inch or inch and half deep.
s. Select only the best seed which have
boen tested, as they frequently go through
q heat while curing, which does not i'm
pair the merchantable value, but renders
them worthless as seed.
O. Soon after the seed como up plough
we'll with Iron Age Cultivator rs close as
possible to tho plant. In ten or twelve
days bar off closely with turn plow,
running very shallow, work with hoe. In
about ten days work again with cultivator,
repeating same in about two weeks, again
giving thorough hoe working. This
completes tho work of the crop.
z. Commence digging from 10th tc
Goth of Oct, using double horse plow
with peanut point, running twice to each
row.
8. As soon as dry, shake we'll and
shock same day as digging; put in shock:
six feet high, sizo of large vine, dunnage
well under shocks, letting them stand
ten to twenty days, when they will be
sufficiently cured to pick from the vines
1t is very strange, but it is fact, that
nobody makes it business in this the
largest peanut market in the world to
compile peanut statistics, and it has been
very hard matter to obtain figures
which would indicate the numerical valu,
of last years crop; that is to say, the mum
ber Of bags handled since October last
But tho following statement may bo reliet
on as being very nearly accurate. Th
cleaners buy nearly all the goods shippe,
to this market, SO that their figures will
. very nearly cover tho number Of bag
handled: