The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-11

are, therefore, first sold to the clean
ing factories. where they are re-
cleaned. and all dirt and remaining
trash are taken out. and then sold 10
the trade. The fancy grade Is OBJ
tanned by hand separation, and are
then parched and placed upon the
market as the edible nut and greatly
enjoyed by all SO fortunate as to pro-
cure them. The inferior grades are
snelied and the kernels sold TO cndy-
makers and for other purposes. These
grades could also be probably con-
verified into peanut oil and used for
the same purposes as 10 cotton seed
oil and olive OIL. and the resulting
meal would furnish a highly concen-
trated food for both man and beast.
BY slight modification Of the ma
chinery used In crushing and extract
ing the oil from cotton seed. I have
no doubt you would have the neces-
sary machinery for the purpose. Pea
nut butter IL also said to be very
pelatable and nourishing food, and
would be a bi-product in the manu-
facture OF the oil. which would add
to the profits. All OF which would
greatly increase the demand for the
nuts. and would be a safe invest
ment for capital Such factories
should be and / trust will be located
In each of the cities and important
towns OF the peanut section of Viz
ginia, where the nuts are so largely
grown, and the result and demand
would have q tendency to advance the
price paid farmers. which La Of great
Importance as they are not now paid
enough to sufficiently interest them
and call forth their best endsavors-
The Spanish variety is also largely
grown In this section. all of which
are sold to the cleaning factories, and
sheiled before being placed upon the
market They may be grown on
sitter and darker soils than the vir-
ginias. as the color of the hull does
not AFFECT the selling price.
The growing OF peanuts is very e1-
haustire 20 the soil. and IT rs very
essential to property rotate the crops
in such way that the soil may not
be depleted Of it's humus content,
otherwise they cannot be produced in
paying quantities. Liberal quantities
Of acid phosphate should be used in
the growing of the legumes in the
rotation. and lime should be oc-
casionaliy used 10 neutralize acidity.
and thereby increase the activity Of
the bacterial life Of the soil, and i'm
prove its mechanical condition. II is,
however, unwise to use lime excess
sively as IL would cause oxidation of
the vegetable matter in soil more
rapidly than necessary for the re-
quirem ents OF the growing plant.
Lime in the sulphate form is uni
versafiy used on top Of the growing
Virginia nuts TO obviate popping,
that is. empty hulls. The use OF a
fertilizer containing high per cent,
say, six. OF potash. is also used for
this purpose, with satisfactory results.
There Is no section OF our country so
well adapted to the growth of pea
nuts as 6outhside Virginia, and when
We shall have established peanut oil
mills and butter factories as adtuncts
to our cleaning factories, thu peanut
industry will become one of the farx-
est and most profitable industries
carried on in our grand old State.
Such modes OF handling the peanut
Will have tendency to greatly in
crease the demand. and consequently,
the production. as il would In a meas
ure supplant cotton seed and olive
OIL. TO considerable extent. The
farmer should have and receive his
proportional share of the profsts made
on the crop. and in order to accom- :
f!ssh this, there should be cheerful
cooperation with the MANAGEMENT of
such factories mentioned and every
EFFORT should be cxerted to extend the
demand for the finished product.
thereby increasing the price of the
raw material or farmers stock, When
these results are attained, our best in
telect VIII become Interested. and
farming will become one OF the most
profitable Industries of our favored
section.
GEORGE D. GRrZZARD.