464 



BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



standard 



Types. — The American varieties may be divided into two 

 large groups: (i) large-podded and (2) small-podded. Each 

 of these is further subdivided into "bush" or "bunch," 

 and "running" types. Well-known varieties in this country 



are Virginia Bunch, Virginia 

 Runner, Carolina, Spanish, 

 and Tennessee Red. The 

 last-named variety has red- 

 skinned seeds. The nuts in 

 the Spanish variety are 

 smaller than those of the 

 other types. Large-podded 

 varieties are sometimes 

 termed "Jumbos." 



Environmental Relations. 

 — The peanut is a tropical 

 plant. Consequently, it is 

 raised where the growing 

 season is long, and warm. 

 It succeeds best south of the 

 36° latitude. 



The plant is favored by 

 ample sunshine and moder- 

 ate rainfall. It is grown 

 successfully on both sandy 

 and clay soils, although the 

 former are preferred, espe- 

 cially when the pods are grown for the market and a bright, 

 clean appearance is desired. 



Uses.— Peanuts are largely used in the roasted state as 

 a human food. Peanut butter has become a very popular 

 food article. One bushel of first-class nuts will yield about 

 12 pounds of butter. Oil, salted peanuts and peanut candies 



Fig. 197. — Flower of peanut (Arachis 

 hypogaea). (After Tanberl.) 



