The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-12-10
PEANUTS.

Tile Oh bndL aTllCle III tE6
past ten years. Although to many the
peanut is an extremely disagreeable
product and an object of aversion, yet
it is safe to say that the majority Of
those whose digestive organs are in a
normally healthful state, especially the
younger portion of the race, are fond
of peanuts. and instances could be cis-
ed where they are eaten regularly in
great quantities. Wsatever may have
been the origin of the peanut-this be-
ing a disputed point-the peanut plant
has gradually made its way over an ex-
tended area of the warmer parts Of
both the old and new world, and in
North America has gained a perma-
nent foothold in the soil of the south
Atlantic and gulf states. Nor has ii
yet reached its ultimate limits, for cul-
tivation and acclimation will inure it
to a sterner climate, until it becomes
an important crop in ATTITUDES consider
ably further north than Virginia.
This is indicated by its rapid speed
within the past few years. Remaining
long in comparative obscurity, it was
not until a recent period that the pea
nut gained prominence rs IN agri-
cultural and commercial staple. but
since it fairly started its progress has
been rapid and sure. The peanut will
thrive on any suitable soil within the
limits of the United States as far north
as a line extending eastwardly from
the northern limits of Iowa to the
south of the great lakes and thence to
the vicinity of Cape Cod. The cultiva-
ton of the peanut, in short, is possible
in by far the greater portion OF the en-
tire country. Any section having a
growing season Of five months exempt
from frost may raise the peanut
Planted in June, cultivated until Au-
gust or a little later, and harvested the
last of September, it a be perfected
in four months, though the Virginian
planter takes five months for it. Any
good c~alcareous soil that is not too ele-
waited will grow the peanut.
Some idea of the magnitude OF the
industry may be gained from the fact
that the total consumption of this
country for the year 1866 from Oct,
1. 1885, to Oct, /, 1856 was ~2,715,000
bushels as compared with 1,1S7, 900 for
the year 1896 an increase of over 100
per cent i'll the last ten years. The
supply available for consumption dur
ing the ensuing year. from Oct. !,
1886, TO Sept. 80, 1887, is estimated at
nearly 8, 48O. 900 bushels. Peanuts are
cultivated also in Europe, Asia, and
Africa. Among many of the negro
tribes of Africa peanuts constitute an
important article of food. They are
grown in large quantities for the
manufacture Of an essential oil which
is largely used in adulterating olive oil.
Peanut oil is regarded by many equal
in all respects to sweet or olive oil, and
may be employed for every purpose to
which that is applied. A bushel Of
peanuts, it is estimated. will yield one
gallon of oil. For burning it is highly
esteemed, but the chief consumption OF
the oil is in making soap. For the pro-
duction of OIL for soap-making. there
were imported into Marseilles. France,
from the west coast of Africa. ia a
year, peanuts to the value OF over i've
millions of dollars. The residuum, or
oil-cake, may be sold for cattle-feed.
Almost every person residing in this
locality must necessarily know some
thing Of the value of roasted peanuts.
One can not pass along the streets OF
any city without encountering at every
turn the peanut-stands, where roasted
peanuts are sold by the pint. They
are retailed in numerous stores. are
peddled on the railroad cars. sold to
the loungers in every depot, are eaten
on the streets, at home, in the office,
and, greatly to the annoyance OF some
individuals, in public halls. Even
ladies are fond of them and frequently
have them at their parties. Peanuts
are healthful and f~attening. From a
pig to a school boy no diet will fatten
sooner than roasted peanuts. A per-
son, it is said, can live on them alone
for an indefinite period, if eaten regu-
larly and with moderation. Wherever
they have been introduced they can
not well be dispensed with. Peanut
candy is another article in the manu-
facture of which they play an imports
ant part. The peanut fills a useful end
in peanut coffee. 1t makes quite a
good and palatable beverage. Even
bread can be made Of peanuts. Ii
first mashed or ground into a pulp end
then worked into the dough in the
process of kneading no lard will be re-
quired to make good biscuit, which will
have an agreeable flavor. The skin Of
the kernel must first be removed or il
will impart a bitterish and nutty taste.
Good soap can be made from the pea
nut, but whether the manufacture of
such an article would be profitable at
present prices is another question
For the higher grades OF toilet soap it
might be. AS feed for stock it is very
useful. Every kind OF stock. horses.
cows. sheep, hogs. and poultry, are ex-
-on1tanl-. fn-I 80 IL a.n~rtn ard 4ntIIM