66 ARACHIS HYPOG^A (PEA-NUT) 



IS in good tilth, well provided with soluble assimilable 

 elements, and sufficiently rich in organic matter. In fact, 

 these conditions are essential for either a good green or a 

 good fruit crop. 



Uses. — The cultivation of the pea-nut yields several 

 products which are useful both as food for man and fodder 

 for beasts. 



These products are as follows : Seed, oil, oil cake, and 

 fodder. 



The utilization of the seed dates back to the century 

 in which it was first discovered, and it is curious to note 

 that all the uses to which the pea-nut is turned to-day were 

 already known then. 



The Bulletin de Paris, dated 5th Floreal, year X, Xo. 10, 

 states that in Spain oil of splendid quality is obtained from 

 this plant and that it is also used in the manufacture of 

 chocolate; further, when combined in equal parts wilh the 

 flour of wheat, the flour obtained from the residue is used 

 in the manufacture of bread. " The fruit, when roasted," 

 adds the BuUelin dc Paris, " has a fairly pleasant flavour, 

 and there is no reason why it should not be used in the 

 manufacture of chocolate, as in Spain." 



Cossigny relates that citizen Alexandre, of Mont de 

 Marsan, who was a clever chemist, manufactured from pea- 

 nuts " an almond paste, a cream for the complexion and 

 skin chaps, &c., soap, almond syrup, soap extract, hair oil, 

 and finally, by means of the roasted seed, a liqueur." 



The seed may be eaten either raw or roasted. It enters 

 into the composition of numerous dishes in those countries 

 where it is indigenous; in Europe it is chiefly used in con- 

 fectionery and in the manufacture of chocolate. 



An account of its composition has already been given. 

 The various commercial methods of extracting oil from 

 the seed vary in different localities. In countries where it 

 is indigenous the method is primitive, while in the European 

 centres use is made of powerful machinery. 



