6 INDIAN-MEAL MOTH AND "' SvEEVIL-CUT ' '' PEANUTS. 



the nuts are held in reserve and only sold as needed. AVliere the nuts 

 are held over the summer, the moths are allowed to breed freely, with 

 the result that many nuts that would otherwise escape infestation 

 are ruined. Storage in dark, dusty lofts or sheds also allows greater 

 increase of the insects by providing a suitable breeding place. Nuts 

 which have been held for several years by growers frequently show 

 large numbers of infested kernels. It is urged in this connection that 

 unles.'^ in exceptionally good condition with regard to broken shells, 

 no nuts should be held in the granary of the farmer later than the 

 1st of June, at which time the injury by the first generation or 

 " brood '* is just beginning. When held later, without proper fumi- 

 gation and attention, the multiplication of the jDest is unchecked, with 

 the result that the grade of the nuts is materially reduced. 



Of primary importance is the proper selection and operation of 

 the peanut picker or thrasher. There are several types of this ma- 

 chine on the market, which with careful use may be depended upon 

 to break a minimum amount of the shells. The almost universal 

 cause of such injury is the practice of crowding the machines in 

 order to thrash a larger quantity of nuts in a short space of time. 

 This practice is reprehensible, as it is revSponsible for the large amount 

 of broken peanut sliells found in machine-picked nuts. "While more 

 |)rofitable to the thrasher, its expediency seems doubtful, as the grade 

 of the nuts is thereby reduced and the opportunity for infestation 

 increased, thus reducing the price obtained for the product. The pea- 

 nut packer will readih^ pay a higher price for an article in which he 

 can be assured of a maximum number of fancy nuts. It is therefore 

 suggested that proper attention be paid to the operation of the picker, 

 and that care be taken that the machine is not crowded. This will 

 result in much less breakage and so diminish the infestation that 

 there will be little need of further precaution in the matter of storage. 



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