Arizona republican., 1898-07-30
THE PEANUT.

Peanut eatiDg is genera iy regard c as pastime, and few of the conspm- CTS are aware that they are actually availing a food valua many psr cent in excess of that contained in butter and at less than one-fifdh the cost.
 While peanuts have been successfully grown in Arizona it is fact that nine-tenths of all consumed here are brought from other states. Now the money so paid out might peter be re- tained here and added to by sending anuts where they cannot be raised so readily and cheaply.
 There is no mystery connected with the culture of the peanut crop or any special secret knowledge as to the preparation Of che land, says R. B. Handy Of the United States depar tn ent of agriculture from whose monogram on the subject the following summary is abstra cted:
 The varieties grown are the Virgin ia, running and bunch; the Tennessee and Georgia, white and red; the North Carolina and the Spanish. The Vir- ginia varieties, being most widely known and popular with the trade, are the ones most commonly planted. There is little difference between the Virginia and Tennessee nuts, both be- ing sold as Virginia hand-picked" paa- nuts.
 The Spanish nut has a small kernel of fine quality, and is in demand as ''confectioDer's stock" being wori several cents per pound more than any other shelled stock
 While an open, sandy soil which does net stain the shell is the ideal one for the peanut, it thrives on any fraible s5il that contains a sufficient quantity of lime and humus The presence Of lime is necessary for the development of the nuts, as without lime there may be luxuriant vines bearing nothing but pops If the soil dces not already certain lime in suffi- cient quantities the deficiency must be supplied by the use of some form Of commercial lime, suct as burnt oyster shells, burnt limestone, or mari
 The soil for peanuts should be well pulverizesl to the depth of four inches. The distance between the rows should be from twenty-eight to thirty-sig inches varying with the fertility of the soil and the variety. Carefully shelled and selected kernels should be used for seed. The seeds should be planted from twelve to twenty inches apart two to the hill and covered about an inch deep. either with a hoe or small turn blow. All grass and weeds must be kept out of the field and the soil kept loose and open, that the tender spikes may meet with no resistance in penetrating the ground.
 In harvesting the crop. the practice is to pass down each side of the row with a blow. without a -nold beard and with a sword" or long cutting | flange to the point.
 The blow is run deep enough tc ssver the tap root, without disturbing the pods The vines are then lifted l from the ground with pitchforks ant placed in rows; they are afterward; stacked around short poles. Twt weeks later the pods should be dr! enough to be picked off. After picking | the S1ts are placed in bags, holding Hour bushels for storing or shipmen as >ay be desired In our issue O June 3Se& a full description was give1 Of peanut factory, from which can b noted the requirements to place then in commercial shape.
 While the larger portion of the cro is sold for "munching," yet the peanu has good values for other purposes. A an oil it is used for lubricating an soap making, and is a good substitut for olive oil for salads and other culi
 nary purposes, and as substitute fo