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Arachis hvpogcea (Spanish peanut ; peanut ; goober ; earth 

 nut. Fig. 2). An annual herb, a native of Peru and Brazil, intro- 

 duced very widely in cultivation throughout the Southern States. 

 The peanut is hardy as far north as Maryland. This is one of the 

 most valuable fodder plants for the Southern States. There are 

 two varieties the one which furnishes the peanut of commerce, 

 which requires a long season ; and the Spanish peanut, which 

 matures in about three months. The pods of the latter are 

 smaller, and the seeds fewer and smaller than those of the edible 



FIG. i. Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria). 



variety. Peanut-vine hay is more nutritious than that of red clover. 

 The yield of nuts ranges from 50 to 75 bushels to the acre. The 

 Spanish peanut is the one usually grown for forage. The vines are 

 pulled when the pods are about half-formed, and are converted into 

 hay by a method similar to that used in the treatment of cowpeas. 

 The nuts or beans are rich in oil and albuminoids. Peanut meal 

 makes a richer stock food than cotton-seed meal. A valuable oil 

 can be expressed from the seeds. 



