The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-07-13
1.-The Peanut Industry. -
W Washington Post.

Washington Post.
"Peanuts is the modest title of
little monograph issued by the de-
partment Of agriculture, from which
we learn that the origin Of this dis
tingushed American vegetable IS
Shrouded in mystery. To the widely
known titles of "goober,'' ground
NUT" and ''pindar' has been added
the classical appellation Of Archis
hypogea, but none of these 60 far
toward lifting the veil, though pos
sibly they do prove that man is not
only differentiated from other ami
mails by his clothes-wearing propen-
sites, but by his fondness for new
and strange names.
The peanut may, from several in
dications pointed out, owe its orl-
gin to tropical America. That does
not. however, prevent it from being
mighty good friend and worth eul-
tivating in those States whose soils
are suited to its peculiarities. It ls!a
home-loving tuber, and takes its
characteristics so clearly from the
soil in which it is grown that the
goober produced in one State can
never be mistaken for the plndar
raised in another. It is further claim
ed that the particular name used has
so left its impress on the denlzens
of the peanut country that the
eooberite'' or the ''pindarlte :"
discloses the exact section from
which he halls. Such phenomenon
smacks Of deep underlying slgnlh-
canoes, and recalls the portent Of the
pronunciation Of the word "shib-
boleth" as a tribal test at the pas
saees of the Jordan in the days OF
Israel's judges.
One may be surprised that the
value of the peanut crop for l9o9
was about $12,000,000, but its cultl-
walton is a serious pursuit IN the
Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee and
Georgia, while the possibilities OF the
successful culture, according to nice
|lv shaded areas on a published map,
extend from the New Jersey coast
over a vast stretch Of country south
ward and westward and thence
northward along the coast OF Cali
fornia, with a favored bit Of lsolat-
ed country around Salt Lake City.
Conditions of soil and climate best
suited to the peanut are a rloh,
sandy loan, a long-growing season.
moderate rainfall, abundant sun
shine, and high temperature. In
these respects the peanut makes
claims to an aristocratic ENVIRON
nent. such as is required for the
production Of the best wines. VIII
Waterproof. in his lyrical mono
logue, called for the juice OF the
grape grown fat on Lusitanlan sum-
mers. and the plump head waiter OF
the Cock gravely confirmed his judg-
ment; just such mellowing seasonal
conditions are required for the pea
nut. without which it will be lacking
| in that full unctuous quality TOR
which it is deservedly famed.
Among the various kinds of pea
nuts. the Jumbo, Virginia Bunch,
Tennessee Red and Dixie Giant call
for special mention, if for no other
reason than the happy choice OF
terms. Past experience with the cir
Gus and fruit-stand methods OF dis
tribution leads to the belief that
these are frequently found combined
in the same small paper bag with the
twisted corners. but the inequalities
IN size and flavor serve only to lnclte
the purchaser to renewed feats OF
maStication.
The United States IS heavy buy
er of peanut oil from abroad, despite
the fact that thousands Of acres OF
waste lands in the Southern States
are available for the production Of a
crop that would furnish enough pea
nuts to keep the cottonseed oil mills
running and furnish more than
enough oil for home consumption.
Here is an opportunity for the de-
velopment of a valuable industry to
degree that is, perhaps, hardly ap-
preciated in this country. The add
ed statements that the peanut Is a
soil builder and renovator and that
the value Of the vines for forage
purposes has been fully de;noM>tra-
tied should further tend 10 increase