MISCELLANEOUS CROPS 623 



to the proper depth it is possible to sever the main root of the peanut 

 just below where the pods are formed and thus leave considerable 

 of the accumulated nitrogen in the soil. It is estimated that the 

 nitrogen left in the soil by this system has a fertilizing value of from 

 $3 to $8 an acre. 



Several local devices have been constructed, usually upon the plan 

 of an ordinary plow, but having a U-shaped blade or cutter with one 

 edge sharpened and so mounted that it may run underneath the pear 

 nut plants. It is desirable to use a double team, straddling the row, so 

 that the digger will run at a uniform depth. Almost any blacksmith 

 can construct a tool of this kind and it should not cost more than $5 

 or $6. Any device that will sever the roots of the peanut just below 

 where the peas are formed will answer the purpose and prove better 

 adapted to the work than the plow. Past methods as practiced in Vir- 

 ginia, where the peanuts are removed by means of an ordinary plow, 

 taking most of the nitrogen from the soil, are largely responsible for 

 the rapid depletion of soil fertility in those lands. ^ 



Curing Process and Care of Crop After Digging. After the pea- 

 nut vines are loosened from the soil they are allowed to lie either 

 spread upon the ground or in small bunches for three or four hours, 

 and are then placed in small stacks around a central stake to cure. If 

 the peas are allowed to lie exposed to the weather for any length of 

 time after digging, the pods become discolored and lose in weight. 



A better grade of peanut hay will be secured if the vines are 

 placed in the small stacks as soon as the leaves and stems are thor- 

 oughly free from dew or other surface moisture. Most growers follow 

 the practice of putting the peas in stacks the same day they are re- 

 moved from the soil, or those dug during the morning are stacked in 

 the afternoon and those dug later in the day are stacked the following 

 morning as soon as they are free from dew; however, any dew or rain 

 will discolor the pods. 



The essentials in caring for the crop during the curing period are 

 that the peanuts be kept in small stacks, given an abundance of air, 

 and protected from both the weather and injury from animals. 

 Owing to the fleshy nature of the stems they cure quite slowly and are 

 liable to mildew if placed in large lots. 



The supply of stakes should be ready in advance and may be 

 kept for use from year to year. These stakes should consist of split or 

 round poles about 3 or 4 inches in diameter, 7 feet in length, and 

 sharpened at both ends. For setting the stakes in the ground a 

 pointed bar of iron or a crowbar with which to make the holes is used. 

 The stakes should be set in the ground to a depth of 12 to 14 inches 

 and well tamped to make them firm and solid. 



Before starting the stack one or two pieces of lath about 18 

 inches in length are nailed at right angles to the stake 8 inches from 

 the ground, in order to prevent the peanuts coming in direct contact 

 with the soil. In starting to build the stack a few vines are laid across 

 the pieces of lath and the stack then built up by successive layers of 

 vines, the pods being kept well to the center against the stake and the 

 tops to the outside. The stems should have sufficient outward slope 



