620 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



the first place, the planting machines now in general use are adapted 

 to handling the shelled seed only. Second, when planting whole 

 pods there is always a doubt regarding their being well filled, and a 

 poor stand may result. Third, pods containing two or more seeds will 

 produce more than one plant in a hill, causing a waste of seed and a 

 crowding together of the plants. Fourth, whole seed is slower in 

 germinating than shelled seed. With the Spanish variety the case 

 is quite different, as the pods are invariably filled, the crowding to- 

 gether of the plants is no great disadvantage, and the few days' extra 

 time required for germination is of little consequence. 



Virginia nuts intended for seed should always be shelled by 

 hand, but the Spanish are sometimes shelled by machinery, although 

 their germination is invariably injured when so handled. Many 

 growers of the Spanish peanut practice soaking the unshelled nuts in 

 water previous to planting. Soaking for a few hours will hasten ger- 

 mination, but if for any reason the seed can not be planted imme- 

 diately it will be lost. Shelled seed should never be soaked before 

 planting. 



Time and Methods of Planting. The time for planting peanuts 

 is in the spring after the soil has become thoroughly warm. In order 

 to secure a good stand, the seed should not be put in the ground until 

 there is sufficient warmth to germinate it quickly. As a rule peanuts 

 should be planted a trifle later than corn and beans. The Spanish 

 variety may be planted somewhat later than the Virginia type, as it 

 requires less time to complete its growth. As previously mentioned, 

 the Spanish and similar varieties may in certain localities be planted 

 after oats that is, from the middle of June to the 10th of July. The 

 Virginias or large sorts should, if possible, be planted before May 20 

 for the best results. 



Distance to Plant. A common distance between rows is 36 

 inches, but this varies somewhat according to the soil and variety. 

 For the Virginia Runner variety on good soil the distance between 

 rows-should be at least 36 inches, and 16 inches between the plants in 

 the rows. Virginia Bunch peanuts may be in rows ac close together 

 as 30 inches, and 9 to 12 inches apart in the rows. The Spanish and 

 Tennessee Red varieties are planted in rows from 28 to 36 inches 

 apart and 9 to 12 inches apart in the rows, according to the fertility 

 of the soil. On rich soils, where the spread of vine will be great, the 

 maximum distance between rows as well as between plants in the row 

 should be allowed. 



Quantity of Seed Required. The quantity of seed peanuts re- 

 quired to plant an acre will depend somewhat upon the distance of 

 planting. As a rule 1% pecks of shelled Virginia peas will plant an 

 acre. One peck of shelled Spanish peanuts, or 1^ bushels in the 

 pods, are required for an acre. The greater the care exercised in 

 planting, the smaller will be the waste of seed, and economy is quite 

 an object when planting specially selected or high-priced seed. By 

 planting the Spanish variety in the pod two seeds will be placed to- 

 gether in a hill, but there can be no very great objection to this, as 



