Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-02
THE PEANUT AND ITS RESULTS


Though the peanut is regarded as ma
tive OF Brazil. It is widely cultivated In
the cotton states where It Is used as
source of food for stock. and also for the
production OF the nuts for human con-
sumption. II Is a crop which has grown
I'D IN popular favor rather recently. but
thai its cultivation now Is a matter OF
considerable economic importance IS
shown by fact that fully sO.oOOOoo bushels
are annually produced IN the United
states CHIEFLY in the southern states. The
peanut Il a legume. belonging 20 the
same family as the garden pea. beans
and vetches. Like all plants OF this par
tfcular family. Il Is a soil inprover. hav-
fnr the ability under ordinary conditions
Il assfrnilate from the atmosphere tife
greafer part OF The nitrogen needed for
r. development IL diners from most
plants in that Il bears It's fruit under
ground. the flowers being borne on small
stems which spring from the axis OF the
lear ana turn downward after the bloom
+ fertIlized. Shortly after the peg" has
entered the ground K begins 10 enlarge
I'd a pod or shell with the enclosed
seed gradually develops The peanut Is
~ annual. Its growth being confined 70
tie warm season OF the year.
In composition the nuts are rich In
rrotein and fat. and relatively low IN
i4ber The hay Is also rich IN protein,
While peanut meal or cake is one OF the
richest foodstuffs on the market, but II
IS not manufactured 10 any appreciaole
extent n this country. II Is estimated
that crop or g. bushels OF peanuts to-
eether with one ton OF hay VIII remove
from the soil about S pounds OF nitrogen.
Is pounds OF phosphoric acid, Sc pounds
or potash and IS pounds OF lime. The
lime and potash are chiefly found N the
hay. so that II this be fed and the manure
caxffuily preserved and returned 10 the
seii. the crop Is not particularly exhaus-
uvs TO the essential elements Of plant
sooa. since. as already indicated. the
nitrogen required Is chiefly obtained
from the air
While the peanut Is adapted for cult
walton on quite a variety or soils. it does
better on sandy or sandy loan land than
on those OF a heavier texture. Soils
which contain much clay stain the hulls
ard lower the market price These soils.
however. are Just as good for the culu-
vari0n OF peanuts TO be consumed on the
farm BY live stock as those OF lighter
character. No farmer need hesitate.
therefore, 10 plant our considerable
area TO peanuts for grazing by hogs un-
der the impression that his land is too
heavy 10 permit OF the development of
a satisfactory crop. On the other hand,
loose. friable soils permit the pegs 10
strike into the soil much easier than
those OF a heavier texture Since most
OF the soils on which peanuts give their
best results are rather low In lime. it is
necessary TO supply not only phosphor-
ous and potash. but lime as we'll On
soils where there is an insuficiency OF
this element. there is generally pro-
sluced q large proportion OF what are
known as pops" and shells without
nuts. A thousand pounds per acre OF
causttc lime is considered a fair ap-
plication. though one ten once in three
or four years IS probably the more de-
sirable practice. OF course. where lime
= used. IL is necessary 70 supply the
soil with vegetable matter. This is not
. difficult thing 10 do where q proper
rotation OF crops is pursued on the
farm.
The fertilizers most needed by pea
nuts are acid phosphate and potash.
At least zoo to 500 pounds of high
grade acid phosphate with so to 100
pounds OF muriate of potash or its
equivalent in kainit will answer very
well. Some farmers who apply gyp-
sum or sulphate OF lime to land intend
I'd for peanuts would probably secure
better results BY increasing the amount
CT acid phosphate used, and cutting out
the gypsum since each ton Of acid
phosphate contains over 1000 pounds
Of sulphate OF lime The fertilizer
may be broadcasted, but as rule. ii is
better 70 putN II under the drill row
shortly before the time OF planting. In
home soils where peanuts have been
grown previously which are known to be
very low in nitrogen. an application of
come cotton seed meal or other nitro
gen carrier 20 stimulate the early
growth OF the plant viii often be found
advisable.
The preparation OF the land for this
crop IS important All litter and trash
should be removed or turned deeply in
10 the soil and the land should be wen
plowed and narrowed. AS rule. peanuts
are best planted after a hoed crop such
as cotton, and the time OF planting viii
he determined much by the season and
focal conditions It should. of course.
be delayed until danger OF frost is past
The burrows for the crop should be OPP
kned at regular intervals and the manure
and fertilizer deposited therein These
materials should be well mixed with the
subsofl and then low ridge should
be made by drawing two or more fur
rows together. The ridges mould be
Tlatrened slightly before planting by
ecraping on the tap. There are planters
on the market for dropping and covering
the crop which are very satisfactory.
fnoCgh the seed may be dropped by hand
and covered IN the usual way. Two
inches - about the right depth TO plant
IN case OF very dry weather the land
may be rolled and a light harrow run
aver IL to break the crust This brings
ire moisture TO ire surface and aids
IN rapid termination As a rule, the