ARACHIS HYPOG^A (PEA-NUT) 65 



We see that in Spain and in Egypt the stems of pea- 

 nuts cut when the fruit has reached maturity only contain 

 31 and T,2 per cent, of water, whilst the proportion of nitrogen 

 is rS; and i'58 per cent. 



According to comparisons which we have been able to 

 make between the figures obtained in Mauritius and those 

 from other countries, such as West Africa, India, and 

 America, the essential difference between various species of 

 pea-nut seems to be not so much in the proximate composi- 

 tion as in the mineral composition. 



The diiYerences which exist, arise, in all probability, just 

 as much from the varieties planted as from the conditions 

 of growth and of climate. The figures cjuoted are sufticient 

 to give an exact idea of the composition of this plant and 

 to guide those who wish to grow- it. 



As the fruit appears concurrently with the florescence, 

 immature pods may be encountered, even when the plant 

 is pulled green. 



In a planting at Reduit, Mauritius, made on December 

 1 2th, between rows of canes, and pulled seventy-five days 

 later, that is to say, when in full growth, the weight har- 

 vested was 9,950 kilos to the hectare, of which the stems 

 and leaves accounted for 84 per cent, and the seeds for 

 16 per cent., thus : — 



Stems and leaves ... ... ... ... 8,350 kilos 



.Seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,600 ,, 



9,950 ,. 



The seeds contained on an average only 8'48 per cent, 

 of fat, and o'92 of nitrogen. The proportion of phosphoric 

 acid reached only 20 per cent., instead of 35 and 40 per cent. 



In the 9,950 kilos harvested the amount of phosphoric 

 acid found, in round figures, amounted to onlv 9 kilos, 

 that of potash 58"3, and that of nitrogen 44' i. 



Thus, when the crop is used as green manure, the 

 demands made are greater ; nevertheless, as we have re- 

 marked already, the yield will be all the greater if the soil 

 5 



