440 



PEAS, BEANS, VETCHES, PEANUTS 



others (Fig. 188). The blossoms are borne in the leaf axils in the 

 branches that lie on the ground. The flowers are small, yellow in 

 color, each one borne on the end of a short stem. When the blossom 

 has faded, the stem bends downward and begins to elongate, pushing 

 the sharp-pointed ovary into the soil. If it is prevented for any 



Fio. 188. Three stages in development of the peanut: C, the blossom; B, the "peg" just 

 entering the soil; A, the peanut pod. 



FIG. 189. The peanut plant, Virginia running variety. (From U. S. Farmers' Bulletin 25.) 



reason from entering the soil, the ovary withers and no pod will be 

 produced. The pod usually bears two seeds, though in some varie- 

 ties five or six are developed. 



Classification of Varieties. Only five or six common varieties 

 are found in cultivation. Virginia Bunch and Virginia Runner 

 (Fig. 189) are two very similar varieties, except the former is an 



