The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-28
POINTS ON PEANUTS.
ONE OF THE CURIOSITIES OF THE
VEGETABLE KINGDOM.

PecuIia1itics OF the Forming Pod "-Cui-
tnre. Planting and Harvesting-Tbe Cali
fornia Metho<l-white and Red Varieties.
Peanut OIL and Peanut Flour.
The peanut Is a leguminous plant, botanic
ally known os the arachis hypogGa- IL has
several other common names than that by
which we are accustomed TO call it, among
them being ground pea and ground nut. In
the southern states it is known as pindar and
COULTER, while by the French it is called the
pistache de terre. 1t is generally believed to
he indigenous to Africa, although there are
FIVE or six species OF the genus found grow
ing wild in Brazil Ii has been successfully
introduced into Spain, has for several years
been raised in the states Of Virginia, Georgia,
Tennessee, and has more recently been cult
waited in California. A small variety also
| grows in China.
Roughly speaking, II might he said that
| the peanut looks like clover and grows like
sweet potato but for those who prefer
stricter and more botanical description, the
following may be quoted: The plant is
difusely branched, trailing annual, with alb
ruptlv pinnate leaves with four leaflets the
small yellow flowers are in auxiliary heads
or spikes; calyx with one narrow lobe max
ing a lower lip, the upper lip four toothed
and with a long thread like tube; heel Of the
corolla incurred and pointed: stamens united
into n tube by their ailments, each alternate
! shorter than the others; oyary at the bottom
of the long calyx tube. After the flower
falls away the forming pod is forced into
the SOL 10y the elonSation Of the rigid de
Goxed stalk 20 which IL is attached. The
forming pod then rapidly enarges and forms
thick shelled indehiscent pod, with d
strongly Melted surface, often contracted lie
tween the seeds, Of which it contains two or
three These have very thick cotyedons
and an extremely short radicle.
THE FORMING POD
The burying Of the forming pod or nut
by the "eorgation Of the rigid, deflexed
stalk is the popularity Of this plant, and i
one II the cu'iosities Of the vegetable king
dom. Tho flower and leaf stalks are Of en-
trely ferent characters. The flower stalk
is n trailing vine like that of the melon and
cucumber the blossoms appearing at short
intervals along its length. The flower opens
and blossoms close down 10 the stalk, and il
is not until after the petals have fallen and
the seed pod is formed that the pushing
power is made manifest Gradually the seed
pod or nut is lifted away from the stem and
little stalk shows itself As this stalk
grows 50 the nut at the end Of il is pushed
forward until it curves over like a fish hook,
with the little nut in the place OF the point
and barb Gradually the nut is pushed
down to the ground, and then pushed into it.
If by any accident this is prevented the fruit
ceases 10 grow.
The culture Of the peanut is not difficult
Good corn land is generally selected in this
country, care being taken tina: there Is moth
ing in the land that would stain the shells.
In this state a sandy loan that never suffers
from drought should be chosen In fact,
good melon land is generally good peanut
land. The bottom lands Oh the borders Of
rivers that receive a winter or spring over
flow are admirably adapted for the growth
Of this nut. The plan Of planting adopted in
the south is 10 mark off the land in burrows
three feet apart, and in these two peas are
dropped at intervals Of eighteen inches and
covered az inch and q half deep.
When the nuts are ripe, which will bc in
October. the California peanut farmer runs
q furrOw on each side Of the row Of vines
with bull tongued pillow, close enough to
loosen the soil aud plants. Then he takes q
light aud narrow grubbing hoe, digs up the
vines and turns them over 10 dry. taking caro-
never 20 gather IN rainy weather or when the
ground is very wet After allowing the vines
10 lie IN the sun for day the best plan is 10
stack them, after the dew has dried, in the
following fashion: Drive a stake of four or
five feet long firmly into the ground, spread
ing dried grass or hay around il, 50 as 10
keep the vines from the damp ground. Then
las TIE vines around the post with the roots
inward taking care 10 leave a space around
tho stake for purposes Of ventilation, and
when the tack is of q proper height thatch il
with a straw cap tied to the stake let the
vines remain in stack from three 20 five
weeks aud then pick tho nuts and send 10
market
WHITE AND RED VARIETIES
a clean. bright appearance OF the pods is