Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-04

had better opportunities of studying
them than we have had OF studying the
lands along other streams in Texas,
though we are well satisfied from what
we have seen of other localities that the
sandy second bottom lands along most of
our streams present substantially the
same characteristics. The term 'second
bottom" employed by us is intended
simply to mean such bottom lands Us lie
above overflow. The bottom lands
along our stream. usually lie at two
levels. Those of the lowest level, or
first bottom, reckoning out from the
stream, are orerfiowed occasionally,
while those on the higher bench, or
second bottom. lie entirely safe above
the line OF inundatiou.
The eanut does best on q sandy loan
soil having in its composition a reason
ably large per cent. of lime, which is
strictly the character of the bottom lands
mentioned. II is not crop demanding
heavy and regular rainfall throughout
the season, but quite the reverse. The
annual rainfall OF Northern and Western
Texas would be just about right for it.
1t needs rain in the first part of the sea-
sou TO give il a start and establish vine,
but after il has started Its fruit runners
weather is best for the crop. in q region
of regular rainfall throughout the sum-
ner it runs all to vine at the expense of
heavy fruitage.
Our familiarity with the peanut grow
ing industry in Tennessee leads US to feel
quite sure that there would be lots in it
for the upper portions of Texas at least.
Doubtless the peanut would grow right
n limo rpi1 y rrYln MI
Why not try it for profit, somebody, on
a reasonably large scale? There could
be no risk, as there is always lively de-
mand for peanuts, even on the local
markets. If tests should he made there
is one important matter that must be
held in sight: You must plant some
large-Rrowing variety. The small Spanish
peanut has been good deal doomed up
of late, aud while il is a most wonderful
yielder, it is worth comparatively little
on the general peanut market, being too
small to suit customers.
1t costs no more TO raise a crop OF pea
nuts than it does to raise crop of sweet
potatoes. Getting the crop ready for
market involves little more trouble;
but not near so much, under correct
management. as one might suppose
scarcely so much as to get ready a crop
OF cotton. The profits are very much
larger than the profits on cotton. An
extremely rich soil is not needed. White,
in his Gardening for the South, says like
clover, the peanut has long tap-root.
which extends deep into the earth draw
ing thence the nutr!ment that is beyond
the reach of many of our cultivated
crops. The soil should be deep and mel
low and well broken up. Planting
should take place in spring, so soon as
danger of frost is over. Plant the peas,
pod and all, two in hill. For garden
culture il is common to shell cut the
peas, but in case OF a field crop this
would require too much trouble. There
is nothing gained by the Smelling beyond
getting the plants I'D few days earlier.
The ground should be laid off level and
the peas planted in rows four feet apart
and two feet apart in the rows. Cover
two or three inches deep.
The after culture Is extremely simple.
Thin out to two stalks in the hill and
keep down weeds and grass. In little
while the vines will have so spread over
the ground rs to take care Of themselves.
Some people are under the impression
that it Is necessary to cover up the vines
from time TO time 10 aid them in setting
their underground fruit. This is ali q
mistake, aud would be decidedly against
the crops. The vine sends fruit-runners
down into the ground on its own hook,
and wants no help about it.
The vines OF the peanut make fine nay
-as good In every respect as the vines of
the ordinary field pea. To harvest the
hay as well as the nuts, begin little
before time for frost. Run the bar of q
turn plow close along at each side of the
row and let persons follow with "potato
diggers'' or pronged hoes and pull up
the hills. Throw the vines into heaps
with the roots outside and leave until
they have gone through the usual sweat,
as in the case of field peas, then carry or
haul into shelter and place upon scaffods
to dry. SO soon as dry, the dirt cap be
easily shaken from the roots and the
peas picked off by hand at leisure, lesv-
ing the tops for winter use as hey. This
is all there is of 1t. White SAYS, page
l47, 1.-the peanut will produce from
twenty-five 10 seventy or eighty bushels
of nuts 10 the acre, according to soil and
culture, ana is rs easily cultivated as
corn. -