PEANUT. 199 



The preparation of the field is very similar to that 

 of the usual field crop, with the exception that it should 

 be more thorough. Deep plowing is essential where 

 drought may occur during growing season. 



PLANTING. 



Before planting, the pods are broken open between 

 the thumb and fiagers ; care being taken not to injure 

 the kernels. After seed has been prepared it must be 

 stored in small packages to keep it from heating, but 

 care must also be taken to keep it from becoming too 

 dry. When many acres are planted b> one person it 

 becomes quite a task and also a risk to keep the seed 

 after it is prepared. While the seed is being hulled 

 it is at the same time selected ; all the poorly formed 

 and bad kernels being thrown out. Two bushels in 

 the pod will give seed enough to plant an acre. 



In Virginia and the Carolinas, it is necessary to be 

 very careful about the time of planting ; if a cold spell 

 follows the planting, the seed is liable to fail ; if the 

 planter waits until cold weather is past, the heaviest 

 portion of the crop is liable to be frozen in the fall. 

 The matter of replanting in those States is a doubtful 

 investment. In Lower South there is no disadvantage 

 in waiting until the weather and soil are warm enough 

 to ensure speedy germination. The seed should be 

 tested, however, before it is committed to the ground ; 

 it will relieve much uneasiness. This can be done easily 

 in a cold frame or a large shallow box, which can be 

 protected from the cold. 



The rows are made about three feet apart and the 

 seed planted one to two feet apart on the row. The 

 land being in a good state of cultivation, it is not dif- 

 ficult to lay off the rows and then make dots in which 

 to drop the seed. On clay soil the row must be raised 

 slightly above the general level, so the seed will be 



