444 PEAS, BEANS, VETCHES, PEANUTS 



usually shelled. The shelled seed is usually dropped much more 

 uniformly by machinery than when planted in pods. 



Time of Planting. Peanuts, being rather sensitive to frost and 

 cold soil, should not be planted until warm weather. This is usually 

 soon after corn planting period. In Virginia the crop is generally 

 planted in May, but somewhat earlier farther south. Early varieties 

 of peanuts, such as the Spanish, can be planted up to the first of 

 July, but the yield is usually correspondingly decreased if the plant- 

 ing is later than July first. 



Method of Cultivation. The method of cultivation for peanuts 

 is very similar to cultivation for corn or cotton and practically the 

 same tools are used. It is important to keep a loose mulch of soil 

 under the vines, in order that the " pegs " or young pods may be 

 easily pushed into the soil. It is the general custom to use rather 

 narrow shovel cultivators for the early cultivation, and to " lay-by " 

 by throwing a considerable ridge of loose soil 'about the plant. 



HARVESTING 



Time of Digging. It is the general custom to dig peanuts- 

 before frost, in order to save the tops for stock feed. They are 

 generally considered ready to dig whenever the pods nearest the base 

 of the plant show a tendency to shed. Maturity is also shown by the 

 leaves assuming a yellowish appearance. There will always be 

 some green pods on the plant, but digging should take place when 

 the majority are mature. 



Methods of Digging. Various means of digging or lifting the 

 peanuts have been devised. A very common method is to remove 

 the mould board from a common turning plow, and run the share 

 underneath the peanut vine, cutting off the tap root and loosening 

 the plants. The plants are then lifted with a fork and thrown into 

 windrows, or smaller bunches. 



The large horsepower potato diggers have been found very prac- 

 tical tools for lifting peanuts, and this is the most practical and 

 desirable method where the acreage will justify it. Special machines 

 are also in the market for digging and bunching the peanuts, some 

 of which are very successful. 



