VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTUKE. 343 



very much liked. Still, a very slight, scarcely perceptible 

 flavor, or, as the French have it, a soupcon (suspicion) of 

 garlic is not repugnant, but rather agreeable to most 



tastes. 



GROUND PEA-. — (Arachis hypogcca.) 



This plant is likewise known as the Pindar and Pea-nut. 

 Although not exactly belonging to the kitchen garden, a 

 few hills should be allowed a place for the sake of the 

 little folks. It is a trailing, annual, leguminous plant, 



Fig. 123— Spanish Peanut. Improved Georgia Peanut. 



a native of South America, from whence it was trans- 

 ported to Africa and our own country. It is one of the 

 few plants which ripen seed under ground. The yellow, 

 pea-shaped flower springs from the part of the stem near 

 the surface of the earth, and after being fertilized, the 

 flower stem elongates, growing from four to eight inches, 

 turning downward until the small tubercle which is to 

 be the future seed-pod reaches and penetrates the earth. 

 The seed of the ground pea abounds in a fine oil, which is 

 sometimes expressed for table purposes. This oil renders 



