PEANUT 469 



A cultivator or other implement frequently follows the 

 fertilizer distributor, in order to better mix the fertilizer 

 with the soil. When planting on ridges is to be practiced, 

 the land is next ridged, either by means of turn-plows, 

 cultivators with suitable points, or by means of special 

 implements. These ridges, just before planting, should 

 be partially pulled down, and flattened by the use of a 

 weeder or spike-toothed harrow. 



449. Method of planting. On this low, flattened list 

 or ridge the seed are then planted either by means of a 

 planter, which opens, drops, and covers, all at one 

 time, or by means of hand-planting in a furrow opened 

 by a scooter and covered by the use of a double foot or 

 other suitable device. 



On stiff lands a depth of 1J inches suffices early in the 

 season. The depth generally preferred is about 2 inches. 

 When planting is done at a late date or on dry soil, a still 

 greater depth is advisable. 



On very dry soils, especially when planted late, no ridges 

 are formed, the seed being planted about 2 inches below 

 the surface level. 



450. Distance between rows and between plants. 

 With the Spanish peanuts or other erect varieties, the 

 distance between rows is usually 24 to 30 inches, and from 

 30 to 36 inches with the running kind. Spanish peanuts 

 on good land may advantageously be planted as close as 

 4 inches apart in the drill, but cultivation is more econom- 

 ically done if more space is given, usually 8 to 12 inches 

 between hills, with two peas in a place. In experiments 

 at the Arkansas Experiment Station the yield of Spanish 

 peanuts decreased as the space between rows was made 



