332 WALDRON— THE PEANUT 



moisture and darkness. (2) The formation of periderm-like tissue 

 on the hypogeal gynophore and fruit. (3) The formation of hairs 

 on the gynophore-epidermis and pseudoepidermis of the fruit. That 

 water is absorbed by these hairs is undoubtedly true. The most 

 puzzling new structural feature is the second, where thin-walled cells, 

 not suberized, are laid down by a late-formed cambium layer. Such 

 is rare in leaf tissue. The bud scales of Horse Chestnut and other 

 trees produce a limited amount of suberized tissue in this way. Two 

 to three layers are always produced on the gynophore when this 

 organ is subjected to a saturated atmosphere. This suggests a 

 possible water storage tissue, or it may be a result of pressure from 

 within when more water is absorbed. Cells are possibly necessarily 

 cut off to allow for this expansion. 



Finally, it is suggested that if the plant does not require more 

 nourishment from the soil than might be supplied by root hairs, and 

 yet forms such hairs on the gynophore and nearly mature fruit, it 

 may be more advantageous to take some of its food by this special 

 method. Perhaps certain desirable changes are made possible by 

 such foods always being in darkness. Is it then darkness, or extra 

 water supply that the fruit seeks? Whatever the reason, the re- 

 sulting advantage is full maturation and selective survival of the 

 seed, which is highly concentrated in its food constituents. 



Uses of the Peanut 



To most people outside the peanut growing sections of the coun- 

 try, the peanut suggests only an unessential food article, — a delicacy 

 to many, — in the form of the roasted or salted nut, peanut con- 

 fectionery or peanut butter. During recent years, however, and 

 especially in the past year or two it has become of utmost importance 

 as a staple article of diet and otherwise. In the cotton growing 

 states it is saving the day for many farmers who have failed with 

 cotton growing because of the new insect pests or other reasons. 



Uses as Human Food. The following from Beattie^^ in this con- 

 nection is worth quoting: "The use of the peanut for eating from 

 the shell is most important and popular, but the quantity of shelled 

 peas that are first roasted and salted and sold by the pound is con- 

 stantly increasing. Some of the better grades are first shelled, then 

 roasted after which the halves are broken apart and the germ re- 

 moved giving the meats a blanched appearance rendering them very 

 desirable for table use. Great quantities of shelled peas are used 



