The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-01-21
FARMING in N
THE SOUTH
PEANUT CULTURE.
Varieties-SoiI-Tim OF Planting
cultivstion-Isrvesting-YIeld-
Preparation for Market.
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pertinent station has issued inc iof
lowing on peanut culture, prepared by
w r. Dodson. Director Agricultural
Experiment Stations;.f. -. t-t f,-
In view of the frequent Inquiries re
garding the cultivation OF peanuts, the
following condensed statement has
been prepared giving the most peril
nent facts secured from the Louisiana
Experiment stations and other expert
ment stations in the South;
Varieties-The large peanuts usual
ly seen al 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 a
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 al 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 well drained soil
in louisiana will produce a fair crop
of peanuts. The sandy soil with a
moderate amount OF humus is prefer
red. Stirf 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 a
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 a half TO three feet
apart The closer rows have ;-7
found to give the largest yields. The
hills I'm the row should be from s-X
inches to a foot and half apart. U.s.
ually the short distance is used with
the small varieties and the poor land
and the maximum distance with the
large varieties and the richer land.
Generally two peas are planted to the
hill In early planting cover some
what deeper. 1t is the general prac-
tiee TO shell the peas before plant
ing. Good results are secured by sim
ply breaking the pods. but they do not
come up as quickly when planted this
way as when shelled before planting.
Planting the whole pods delays germi-
nation and generally prevents securing
4 first-class stand Il will require
from one TO two bushels Of peas in
the hull TO plant an acre.
Cultivation-Frequent shallow cul-
tivation up to the time that the vines
begin TO bloom gives the most satisfac-
tory results. No special precautions
are necessary in the cultivation OF the
crop. After the blooms begin TO ap
pear the vines should be disturbed as
little as possible. though the middles
may still be cultivated lightly with
any implement most convenient.
Harvesting Harvesting should be
gin as soon as a large per cent OF
the peas have matured. II the work IL
delayed and unfavorable weather pre-
walls there viii be greater loss from
the termination OF the peas as they
mature than will be compensated for
by the maturity of the later formed
peas. The common method OF har
vesting is 10 on the row with /;
turnplow. Then lift out each hill sep
arately with a ground fork. shakinl
the bunch to release the adherinl
dirt. Two or three rows are punched
together and curing is very much al
ter the order commonly followed II
windrowing hay When a considera
BILE crop is produced they are shock
ed In small shocks around a stick driy
en- in the ground. making the shocks