The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-02-01
S FARMING in
} THE SOUTH
varletles--Soll-Tlme Of Planting
cultivatlon-HarvestIns-YIeld--
Preparation for Market.
PEANUT CULTURE.

culture and immigration and the Ex-
pertinent Station has issued the fol
lowing on peanut culture, prepared by
w. r. Dodscn. Director, Agricultural
Experiment Stations:
In view OF the frequent inquiries re-
garding the cultivation OF peanuts, the
following condensed statement has
been prepared giving the most perti-
nent facts secured from the Louisiana
Experiment Stations and other expert
ment stations In the South:
Varieties-The large peanuts usual
ly seen at the confectioneries are the
Virginia" or Tennessee red" or
white" varieties. The Virginia, or
Tennessee red is more popular on the
market and these seem to be better
suited to Louisiana conditions than the
two white varieties. The Spanish"
peanut has a smaller pea and has
more erect habit OF growth, and the
peas adhere to the vines with greater
tenacity In the harvest than Is char
acteristic with the other varieties. The
Spanish peanut is. therefore, easier to
harvest for forage or market than the
other varieties. The Spanish variety
is not quite as rich in oil as some OF
the large varieties. The so-called
Mammoth" varieties are not desira-
BILE so far as the indications of the ex.
periments at the Louisiana Stations
go. The yields are small and many
OF the pods are not well filed. The
Spanish is generally preferred for for.
age and possibly for other purposes,
on account OF less labor involved in
harvesting.
Soil-Almost any we'll drained soil |
In Louisiana will produce a fair crop
Of peanuts. The sandy soil with
moderate amount OF humus is prefer
red. Stiff soils frequently produce good
crops, but It is difficult to harvest the
pea satisfactorily and free Il from dirt.
Red soils, containing a large quantity
OF iron. color the pods and injure the
market qualities. Soils containing a
large amount of stable manure or de-
composing vegetable matter are liable
TO produce excessive vines and a
small yield of peanuts.
Time Of Planting-Peanuts should
not be planted until all danger Of
frost has passed. They may be plant
ed as late as the middle OF June and
good crop made.
Preparation of the Soil-Prepare the
soil as for ordinary staple crops. AS
clean culture is desirable. land that is
comparatively free OF weed and grass
seeds is to be preferred.
Planting-very slight ridges should
be prepared in ordinary soils, in the
more sandy soils. the fiat row should
be used. The rows may be arranged
from two and half to three feet
apart. The closer rows have i-.-a
found to give the largest yields. The
hills in the row should be from 81
Inches to foot and half apart. Us 1
ually the short distance is used with l
the small varieties and the poor land {
and the maximum distance with the I
large varieties and the richer land. Q
Generally two peas are planted to the I
hill. In early planting cover some 4
what deeper. Il is the general prac- '
lice to shell the peas before plant
ng. Good results are secured by sim a
ply breaking the pods. but they do NOT v
come up as quickly when planted this d
way as when shelled before planting. u
the whole pods delays germi- y
lation and generally prevents securing t
/ first-class stand II will require e
rom one to two bushels of peas in I
he hull to plant an acre p
Frequent shallow cul- 9
ivation up to the time that the vines a
'egin to bloom gives the most satisfac- n
ory results No special precautions 0
ire necessary In the cultivation of the
'rop. After the blooms begin to ap-
'ear the vines should be disturbed as
title as possible. though the middles d
nay still be cultivated lightly with Il
my implement most convenient. e
Harvesting-Harvesting should be- u
I'm as soon as a large per cent of p
he peas have matured. If the work is W
elayed and unfavorable weather pre- CT
ails there will be greater loss from 81
he termination of the peas as they ST
nature than will be compensated for m
y the maturity of the later formed ST
eas. The common method of har- "
esting is TO off-bar the row with a to
lrnplow. Then lift out each hill sep.
rately with a ground fork, shaking
he bunch to release the adhering
irt. Two or three rows are punched CT
1gether and curing is very much az cr
Or the order commonly followed in I'll
hay. When considera- re
lie crop is produced they are shock di
d in small shocks around a stick driv- II
n in the ground. making the shocks M