New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-09
BUSHELS OF FESTIVE "GOOBERS.'
THESE CHEER THE FUNERAL FEAsTs OF
ALABAMA.

ALABAMA
The much priced peanut the inevitable COM
panion OF every picnic and pleasure excursion, Is
In the main product Of the Southern states, but
that It can be raised on Long Island was. 1t Is
said once demonstrated by Cornelius Vanderbilt.
The story runs that old Commodore Vanderbilt
gave to his Cornelius tract of land on Long
Island which ne found to be Of such sandy nature
that II would not noursh any crop he planted.
Ranied but not discouraged. he read up the sub
ect Of sandy soil and the crops that hourIsh
therein and learned that 1t was just the soil FOR
peanuts So he planted the tract with them.
The soil responded as expected, and magnificent
crop was realized, amounting. II is said to N50O
clear profit the first year
In all the sandy bottoms OF the South peanuts
are raised in great abundance. field or them
looks Ike field OF potatoes. but the foliage OF
the plant is finer and smaller than potato leaves
They grow like the potato. In punches on hills.
When the nuts are formed the negroes pull the
punches up by the roots, and hundreds OF nuts
are clinging TO the roots OF each plant The outer
shell OF the peanut In the raw state Is white ana
s,,cxv and the inner red covering OF the nut
almost impossible to remove while fresh Inc nuts
are unwhoesome while in the green raw state.
The negroes hang the punches on the rafters OF
the cabins until the outer shell is dry and nard'
then parch them Peanut farmers have the nuts
removed from the roots and laid on warm barn
floors to dry. -
f,hrouehout the Southern States they bear DIFF
ferent names. In South Carolina they are caie1
.ninders" in Alabama, "goopers" and ground
peas" In Georgia ground beans and ground
nuts' and "goobers" The residents of the state
Of Georgia get a name for meanness from tne
Ing that they will grab anything. or everythhlnE,
and the expression, oh you ole gooper-gra pper'
Is used in dersion and fun.
The negroes of the South cultivate the nut IN fir
quantities. they are fond OF IT, ana IL iotms pfi
from its sale The times when negroes most use
this much-prized food are at weddings ana iu"ef"
feasts especially the latter 49,. 1870,
curious custom In Alabama and other COTTON
States Is not to have the funeral services unti SIX
rnonths or wear after the burial; then they nave
great feast II mourning weeds nave oeen ia.u
which take place in sope country neighoornoaod
often miles away from the graveyard. The tesuVi
hes take the form of camp. meeting picnic. a
baoven II Is considered inconsiderate or the Fam
Ilv and n damper on the funeral picnic TO 'preach
him" in any other place. so whatever the life or
The negro has been. II his or her last words nave
baen good talk" they are preached In heaven"
THE FUNERAL FEAST.
The feast consists OF fried chicken. caks Ice
cream and peanuts ad libitum. Baskets and bags
OF the beloved nut carried 10 the feast and all
have plenty. and more to carry home
In Alabama the funeral festivity OF the hus-
band OF an old cook was postponed for two years;
then all preparations were made for grand teast
Bushels OF COOLERS We're iaid oy TOT tne sr ,ss
''goobers" could not tempt her-saying am
gwine ter no SIGH ixins, cause dey waited TOO
long 10 preach him Ole man Is dald an bured
an forgot about. an now dey wanter brung MN
IN again an my mournin' Is all wore out waltin J..
l amt gwine ! tells yer."
y And she did not go