The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-01-08
PEANUTS AS 4 CASH CROP
Soils, Fertilizers, Varieties, CuItIva.
ton, Harvesting.

e. OASoSb SOS. I'LL
the boil weevil present in South Caro-
lima, a great many farmers are look.
ing about for some cash crop to take
the place Of cotton. Perhaps no other
crop is attracting so much attention
as the peanut. Our supply Of bulle-
tins on peanuts has been exhausted,
says Prof. @. p. Blackwell. aRrono-
mist, but we are preparing another
bulletin which will soon be ready for
distribution. We are giving below the
answers to the questions We are most
frequently asked:
1. 1t the peanut a profitable cash
oropf
A. Yes, II given the proper atten.
ton, 1t compares favorably with cot.
ton. I recently asked a number of
farmers Of. Georgia and Alabama this
question, and here are some OF their
answers: "The peanut has the best
future to 1t Of any crop we know"
Bankers and business men in peanut
territory will testify in favor OF pea
mats" Banks are more willing to
lend money to the poor farmer and
tenant who 10 willing to grow q good
crop OF peanuts" Cash returns from
peanuts haven't been SO great as
from cotton before tho wesvil infes-
tetion. but We have not become very
efficient in the production of peanuts
yet At the present time peanuts
pay us much better than cotton un-
der weevil conditions" Farmers
here are In much better financial con-
dftfOn thnn
to plant peanuts il weevils were not
here"
2. Do peanuts require as much la
Dor az cotton?
A. No. Different farmers who have
had experience with both estimate
from half as much to the same
amount
3. Are peanuts a sure crop?
A. Yes. They are safer than cot
ton II given as careful attention.
4. What kind of soil 10 best for
peanuts?
A. Peanuts can be grown under a
wide range OF soil conditions. The
best soil Is well drained sandy loan
with reasonable amount OF humus
and plenty Of lime. The heavier soils
will make good yields Of nuts. IL they
have plenty Of humus and are friable,
but they are not so easily cultivated
and they may stain the nuts. This
makes the nuts less saleable but does
not injure them for home use
8. What kind and amount Of fer.
tilizer should be used for peanuts?
A. For the Coastal Plains section
OF South Carolina We recommend an
$50 fertilizer. The amount Will de-
pend on the kind OF soil. Five to
eight hundred pounds will pay best
on the average. On soils that arc
rich in organic matter an s-2-s fertili.
ser viii probably pay best. In the
Piedmont section a s-2-3 will give
good results.
.. 10 lime necessary for peanuts?
A. Soils that are acid need lime.
These are usually the soils that are
poorly drained or have been poorly
drained In tho past II your soil
needs lime, apply 1000 pounds Of
burnt lime or 1000 pounds of ground
limestone per acre.
7. When should peanuts be plant
cd!
A. The best time to plant 10 when
the soil becomes thoroughly warm in
the spring. They may be planted
as late as July the 18th. This means
they can be planted after a crop Of
oats Is harvested.
8. What distance should bo given
thsm?
A. The Spanish variety should be
planted in rows 30 70 IS inches apart
and about 8 inch . between plants.
For the large varieties moro distance
y better.
.. What variety is best to use?
A. The White Spanish is best for
milling and for grasing. The vir-
Ginia Bunch, Red Tennessee and Va
lonsia are good for home consumption
and peanut stands.
10. How much seed are required
to plant an acre?
A. OF >he Spanish variety one
peck shsiled or one and one-half to
two psehs unshsilsd. The Virginia
Bunch requires about one and one.
half peeks shellsd.
II. How should they BE- eultivat-
cdr
A. Cultivation should begin imme.
diately after the plants are we'll up
and should be continued until they
begin to peg" or form pods. After
this they should not be disturbed.
Never let peanuts get grassy or
weedy. They should have frequent
shallow cultivation. The soil should
be moved gradually toward the
plants TO afford loose earth for the
pegs" to penetrate.
IL. Is 1t necessary to cover bios
SONS with soil?
A. No. The pegs" will find their
way into the soil II they receive the
proper cultivation. Covering the
blossoms prevents pollination.
13. Are there machines for plant.
ing. harvesting and picking peanuts
A. Yes. There are several ma.