Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-03


throughout the south, the crop now be-
ing worth more than $I2,O00.0o0 year
IL does best on a sandy, lUaming SOIL
usually of a grayish rather than dark
color. Those soils which are dark and
contain a considerable per cent OF iron
stain the shells. Peanuts may be grown
successfully for stock feeding on COM
paratively heavy soils. but for CONNER
cial purposes. a sandy loan with a we'll
drained clay subsoid is the most salts
factory. Only a moderate amount OF
vegetable matter is desired in a good
peanut soil. the mechanical condition be-
ing the firsr reconsideration, since soils
deficient in plant food can be improved
through crop rotation and the judiciOus
use Of commercial fertilizers
The preparation of the land for this
crop will depend on its previous man.
agement Where corn has been grown
followed by crimson Clover. the clover
should be turned under Just when COM
ing into bloom Sod land may also be
broke in the fall or winter. The depth
of blowing will vary with the nature of
the soil Where sandy soil, which is
best adapted for the growth of this
crop. is underlaid with clay, deep plow-
ing which would bring the clay to the
surface would be Objectionable. AS a
rule, 10 inches is about the right
depth TO break soil for this CROP After
blowing the land should be thoroughly
pulverized with a harrow or other suita-
BILE cuItivator until a fine filth is OBJ
tanned
The most successful results in the
cultivation of peanuts will follow on the
farms where a rotation system is fol-
lowed. the plan being to bring peanuts
on the land once in three years. A suit
able rotation is corn with cowpeas be-
tween the rows. Plow under the cow
peas and follow with peanuts. After
the peanuts are harvested sow to rye or
vetch. which may be used as a winter
pasture. Where vetch is grown il may
be cut for hay and the land planted TO
cowpeas 20 be "hogged" of. OF course,
sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes. crimson
clover and other crops may be brought
into this rotation. Where farmyard
manure is used it should be applied the
previous year TO planting the peanuts.
as il has q tendency to produce pops"
As the peanut is a legume 1t can
gather a fair amount OF nitrogen from
the air and only moderate amounts of
this element OF commercial plant food
need be applied. The crop. however, re-
spends readily to the use OF commercial
fertilizers, particularly phosphates and
potash From 500 to 1000 pounds per
acre OF . mixture containing from I TO 3
per cent OF nitrogen. depending on the
previous treatment OF the land and the
crop rotation followed, about 10 per cent
OF phosphoric acid and 10 per cent of
potash viii be found advisable The
nitrogen had best be supplied in some
of the forms which viii render II rea-
sonably slowly available in the soil.
The phOsphates and potash may be de-
rived from treated rock bone or the
well-known German salts Two of the
best sources OF these materials are acid
phosphate and muriate Of potash. Bet
Ter results will be obtained with COM
merciaI fertilizers where a fair amount
OF vegetable matter is contained I'm the
SOIL and more liberal fertilization will
De necessary where the peanut hay is
gathered and fed than where the tops
and refuse are returned 10 the soil. This
Is an important matter 10 bear in mind
since q crop rotation is not followed
On most farms where peanuts are rails
ed, the use OF a complete fertilizer con-
tanning a fair amount OF nitrogen will
De advisable It will be a comparatively
simple matter for the farmer to inau-
eurate test and determine whether
900 or 1000 pounds will prove the rnosr
profitable or course, one should always
bear In mind that the return from com
mercial fertilizers will be measured IN
considerable extent by the preparation
OF The soil before planting and after
cultivation Seed selection is also an
important matter in the yield obtained
with this crop, and IL is quite as i'm
portant 10 use good seed as 10 fertiltze
literally. Many farmers seem to think
that II they put on some fertilizer they
have done all that is necessary, and
then when their crop yields are low, they
are inclined TO lay all the blame on the
Fertilizer. This is unreasonable and
unjust
Like all legumes, the peanut is bene-
fitted by a liberal use Of lime. which is
essential TO the proper nlling and ripen-
ing or the pods. On a calcareous soil, of
course, or where shells are abundant in
the land. lime may not be so essential
but IL the soil is the least bit sour. !. O0l
pounds OF freshly burned or caustic lima
should be applied to each acre every
three or four years The lime should
as rule. be put on I'm the autumn. and
applied as a top dressing The harrow,
will cover IL to a SUFFICIENT depth. The
lime should never be put on the same
time as commercial fertilizer When
there is sorrel or sedge growing IN the
neld. IL is an indication OF the need OF
lime, or OF insufficient drainage.
The yield Of peanuts at the present
time Is VIGOROUSLY low. This is due 10
the poor soil preparation. cultivation and
the restricted use OF fertilizers which
has prevailed in the past. II would take
but little or more effort on the part OF
the farmer to double the yield by giving
attention to the suggestions made in
this paper. II Is true that IL would cost