166 



AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



hitherto been little grown in this country, but in certain 

 soils and situations, they may be introduced as a substitute 

 for clover, where, from any cause, the latter does not grow 

 successfully. All domestic stock are fond of them. 



THE PINDAR, GROUND PEA, OR PEA-NTTT (Arachis hypogcea). 



This is a legumen and is cultivated with profit in the south- 

 ern States, on light, loamy or sandy lands, where it yields 

 from 30 to 60, or even 80 bushels per acre, besides furnish- 

 ing much haulm for forage. It is planted in hills, or sown 

 in drills four to five feet apart, and worked with a light plow 

 or cultivator, immediately after the plants show themselves 

 above ground. They soon overspread the whole surface. 

 When properly matured, the roots are loosened by a fork 

 and pulled up by hand, and after curing, are put under cover 

 for winter's use. They contain a large quantity of oil of a 

 superior quality and flavor, which is suitable for the table 

 and various purposes in the arts. 



The peat-nut is in high repute for its fattening qualities, 

 when fed to stock. Swine are particularly partial to them ; 

 and if allowed to run on a field containing both them and 

 corn, they will remain among the pea-nuts till entirely ex- 

 hausted, resorting to the grain occasionally, for a change of 

 food. They can lie in the ground all winter, uninjured by 

 frosts or rains. They are much used for human food, after 

 drying and baking. 



THE WHITE LUPINE (Lupinus albus, Fig. 42). 



THIS plant is sometimes raised 

 in southern Europe, where the 

 seed is used as human food. It 

 was cultivated by the Romans, and 

 others among the ancients, for the 

 same purpose. It is frequently 

 used as a forage plant, for which 

 purpose the whole plant is cut and 

 fed green, or cured as hay. It is 

 sometimes made use of as a fertili- 

 zer, for which it is well adapted. 

 It requires a similar soil and culti- 

 vation with the pea. 



Fio 42. 



