21 



A study of the above statement shows that 



(1) The heaviest yielding varieties remain the same, viz, 

 Virginia, Japanese big and Pondicherry, but in the reverse order. 



(2) The average yield of all the varieties is less than that 

 of the previous year as the varieties were sown about a month 

 later. On account of the continuous rainy season it was not 

 possible to prepare beds for sowing ; but the average yield of the 

 heaviest yielding varieties can be safely taken at between 

 3,500 Ibs. and 4,000 Ibs. per acre under favourable conditions. 



(3) The charges of harvesting the varieties have been com- 

 paratively less than those of the last year partly due to the 

 difference in yield and mostly due to the fact that they were 

 harvested soon after irrigation water was applied, &'. e., when the 

 soil was sufficiently moist. Cultivators generally follow this 

 system to minimize the expenditure and sell off their produce 

 soon after it is lifted in order to secure more weight. But this 

 practice will not suit on a farm where fully matured and dried 

 seed has to be collected. This year's experience shows that the 

 produce thus harvested takes several days to dry the nuts on a 

 threshing yard. 



The "lifting" charges have been less for local than for 

 Virginia as the crop was not fully established. 



(4) It will be seen from the statement that many of the 

 foreign varieties are commercially superior to the local in having 

 a higher percentage of seed to husk and also to a higher pe 

 centage of oil in them. In the current year the percentage of 

 oil has remained almost the same in many of the varieties, except 

 the Spanish peanut, where it has fallen by about 3 per cent., and 

 in the Japanese big and local by about 1 per cent, each due 

 mostly to the quality of the produce, 



(5) Some of the foreign varieties, viz., Spanish peanut, 

 Japanese small and big, ripen much earlier than the local, i. c., in 

 about 5 to 7 weeks ; other varieties, too, ripen 2 to 3 weeks earlier 

 than the local. 



On account of the early ripening qualities of the first three 

 they can be grown as a kharif crop without any irrigation, making 

 them most suitable for cultivators who cannot afford to irrigate 

 or who have no wells. Two varieties, Spanish peanut and 

 Japanese small, were tried as kharif crops, and though sown 

 about 3 weeks later than they should have been, have yielded a 

 fairly good outturn which can equal the good profits which can 

 be realized from either Jo war or cotton. One more trial will be 



