Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-11-30

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 as lie
| above overflow. The bottom lands
| along our streams usually liz at two
levels. Those of the lowest level, or
first bottom, reck oning out from the
stream, are overfioWed occasionally,
while those on the higher bench, or
second bottom. lie entirely safe above
the line of humiliation.
The eanut does best on 8 sandy loan
soil having in its composition Il reason
ably large per cent. of lime, which ia
strictly the character of the bottom lands
mentioned. 1t is not a crop demanding
heavy aud regular rainfall throughout
the season, but quite the reverse. The
annual rainfall OF Northern and Western
Texas would be Just about right for it .
IL needs rain in the first part of the sea-
son TO give ii d start and establish vine,
but after il has started Its fruit runners
down into the ground comparatively dry
weather is best for the crop. in u region
of regular rainfall throughout the sum-
ner il runs all TO vine at the expense of
heavy fruitege.
Our familiarity with the peanut grow
ing industry in Tennessee leads us TO feel
quite sure that there would lie lots in it
for the UPPER portions of Texas at least.
Doubtless the peanut would grow right
al 81
Why no: try it for profit, somebody, on
q reasonably large scale? There could
be no risk, rs there is always a lively de-
mand for PEANUTS, even on the local
markets. If tests should be made there
is one important matter that must he
held in sight: You must plant some
large-erowing variety. The small Spanish
peanut has been h good deal doomed up
of late, and while it is 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 1t does 10 raise a crop of sweet
potatoes. Getting the crop ready for
market involves Il little more trouble;
but not near much, under correct
management, as one might suppose
scarcely SO much as TO get ready crop
OF cotton. The profits are very much
larger than this profits on cotton An
extremely rich soil is not needed. White,
III his Gardening for the South, says like
clover. the peanut has II long tap-root
which extends deep into the earth draw
ing thence the nutriment 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 o hill. For garden
culture it i. common 10 shell out the
pess, but in case of field crop this
would require too much trouble. There
is nothing gained by the Smelling beyond
getting the plants up Il few days enrlier.
The ground should be laid off level aud
the peas planted in rows four feet apart
ard 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 mill and
keep down weeds and grass. In little
while the vines will have so spread over
the ground as to take care OF themselves.
Some people are under the impression
that II Is necessary to cover up the vines
from time to time TO aid them in setting
lneT UNDERGROUND Ifult. ms 10 al,
and would be decidedly against |
the crops. The vine sends fruit runners |
down into the ground on its Own hook, |
aud wants no help about it.
The vines of the peanut make q fine hay |
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 n
turn pillow close along al each side of the |
row and let persons follow with ''potato
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,
IS in the case OF field peas. then carry or
haul into shelter and place upon scaffolds
to dry. So soon MS dry, the dirt cap he
EASILY shaken from the roots aud the
peas picked off by hand al leisure, leav-
ug the tops for winter Use as hay. This
5 all there is of It. White SAYS, page
I47, 1.-The peanut VIII produce from
twenty Ave 10 seventy or eighty bushels
II nuts TO the acre, according to soil and
'ulture, and is as easily cultivated as
'orn-