Plant Industries and Climatic Plant Formations 357 



downward elongation of the flower stalk after pollination. The 

 fruit does not develop normally unless buried. For this reason 

 sandy soils are preferred for growing them. About one half of 

 the peanut is composed of oil. The bulk of the crop is utilized 

 in making confections and peanut butter. 



Most of the rice produced in the United States is grown on 

 low alluvial lands and on delta soils with heavy clay subsoils 

 that can be readily flooded. Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and 

 California produce more than 35 million bushels. The land 

 is prepared and the seed planted as in growing other grain crops. 

 After planting, however, the land is flooded ; but before harvest 

 time the land is again dried out to permit the use of machinery 

 in gathering the crop. 



The southeastern evergreen forest region produces most of the 

 sweet potatoes. They are largely consumed locally and partly 

 take the place of the Irish potatoes used in the Northern states. 



About one third of the 2 J billion pounds of sugar produced 

 in the United States comes from sugar cane grown in Louisiana 

 and Texas. Sugar cane is a large perennial grass, 8 to 15 feet in 

 height, that accumulates sugar in its stems. After the leaves have 

 been removed, the stems are crushed and the juice is evaporated. 

 The refuse stalks are used as fuel and for making coarse paper. 



Hay and forage crops of cowpeas and other legumes are impor- 

 tant throughout this region, usually ranking third or fourth in 

 importance, following cotton, corn, and sometimes oats. Be- 

 cause of its mild winters, this region is able to supply the East- 

 ern city markets with the first berries, melons, and fruits of the 

 season. Tea has been successfully grown in South Carolina, 

 but the great amount of hand labor required in picking and pre- 

 paring the leaves has prevented production on a large scale. 



The prairie grass region. The northern prairies have become 

 the leading region of spring wheat production. The unusually 

 fertile soils and the bright sunshine in this region give ideal con- 

 ditions for abundant growth, and the dryness of the climate in- 



