476 SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



latter constitutes a good crop to grow on fields where the 

 organisms of either nematode worms or cotton wilt are 

 present. 



457. Varieties. There are but few varieties of pea- 

 nuts grown in the United States. The most important 

 are described below (Fig. 204). 



Virginia Runner. This is a variety having long 

 branches flat on the ground, and bearing pods throughout 

 the entire length. The pods are of light color and usually 

 two or sometimes three in a pod. The pods do not adhere 

 well to the vines in digging. The weight of this and of 

 other large varieties is twenty-two pounds per bushel. 



Virginia Bunch is an erect variety bearing its fruits 

 only near the base of the plant. The nuts are similar 

 to those of the Virginia Runner. 



The North Carolina, sometimes called the Wilmington 

 and sometimes the African, has spreading prostrate stems, 

 and the plant is of somewhat smaller size than the Virginia 

 Runner. The pods and peas are also smaller than those 

 of the Virginia Runner, but larger than Spanish peanuts. 

 The percentage of oil is high as compared with other 

 American varieties, but lower than that of peanuts grown 

 in Africa. The weight of the North Carolina variety is 

 twenty-eight pounds per bushel. 



The Spanish is the earliest variety of American peanuts. 

 The branches grow upright, and the pods are clustered 

 around the base of the plant (Fig. 205). Hence, in sandy 

 soil practically all of the nuts adhere to the vines when 

 the latter are pulled, after being loosened. The pods are 

 short and slender, usually containing two nuts. The hull 

 lies in close contact with the nut, so that moisture is quickly 



