LKGUMIN01 9 CROPS. 571 



Climate. 



The peanut will thrive under a wide range of climatic conditions, l>ut that 

 liest suited to the production of profitable crops is one in which maize will 

 grow luxuriantly. Ideal climatic conditions are an earlyspring, a moderately 

 hot summer of even temperatures with Light rainfall, and a comparatively 

 dry autumn, so that harvesting may take place with the minimum of injury 

 to the nuts and vines. The crop is very susceptible to frost : a climate in 

 which there is a season of live months free from frost is necessary. 



That portion of our own State which most nearly approximates the idea', 

 climatic conditions for the peanut is tl e North Coast. There are, however, 

 other districts where it could be grown with a similar measure of success, 

 particularly for oil production and for feeding to stock. The Departments 

 experience indicates the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and the North and 

 Central Coast as climatically suitable districts, but it is exceedingly likely 

 that the establishment of the peanut in those localities will lead to its 

 profitable production in most parts of the State, with the exception of the 

 highlands and southern slopes. 



The Soil, and its Preparation. 



The class of soil that will produce the most marketable nut for roasting is 

 a light, sandy, calcareous loam, gi'eyish in colour, and with a well-drained 



clay subsoil. 



Although a sandy soil with a moderate amount of humus and rich in lime 

 is regarded as ideal, the largest nuts and often the heaviest yields are obtained 

 on clay soils containing a high lime content. Practically any soil that can 

 be reduced to, and kept in, a friable condition will grow peanuts. 



The factors chiefly influencing the preparation of the soil are its physical 

 nature, the climate, and the time of sowing. The object is to have available 

 at sowing time a deep, friable seed-bed, with 5 or 6 inches of well-worked soil. 



The ploughing should be deep (6 or 7 inches), but the subsoil must not be 

 brought to the surface. After ploughing, harrows and cultivators should be 

 employed to work the soil, which can be allowed to lie idle until sowing time, 

 when, if it has been set by rain, it should be cross-ploughed to a depth of 

 4 or 5 inches, harrowed and sown. If it is still in a fairly loose condition, it 

 will only be necessary to cultivate to prepare for sowing, using the spring- 

 tooth or disc cultivator. 



A proper system of rotation should be followed with peanuts as with other 

 crops. To retain the soil fertility— which is dependent on so many factors — 

 unimpaired, it is necessary to follow a rotation suited to the soil and climatic 

 conditions. 



Varieties. 



The best varieties are Spanish, Valencia, and Virginia Bunch. Of these 

 the former is the more suitable for oil manufacture, and the two latter for 

 the roasting or confectionery trade. At present, seed of these varieties is 

 obtainable only from the Department's Experiment Farms. 



Sowing. 



Peanuts are planted in the spring of the year, but not until all clanger of 

 late frost is over and the soil is warm. If the ground is cold, germination 

 will take place slowly and irregularly. 



