CHAPTER XXXVIII 

 PEANUT (Arachis hypogcea) 



THE peanut, also known as ground-nut, goober, and 

 pindar, forms the basis of an important industry in the 

 southern states. It is grown primarily for its seed which 

 are used for human consumption after being parched, or 

 as a constituent of certain confections. The whole crop 

 is rather extensively utilized as a pasture for hogs. The 

 vines make an excellent hay. 



534. Nativity. The native home of the peanut is 

 not definitely known. The early investigations by De 

 Candolle point to Brazil as the natural habitat of this 

 plant, as six or seven other closely allied species have been 

 found there. Some botanists have claimed an African 

 origin for the peanut. Corbett 1 points out that "if Ara- 

 chis hypogcea were not of American ancestry it would be 

 the only exception in the group, which seems improbable." 



535. Distribution. The peanut is grown success- 

 fully only in warm climates with long growing seasons. 

 It is grown extensively in the warmer portions of India, 

 Africa, and South America. The means of its advent into 

 the United States is not clear. Circumstantial evidence 

 points to the introduction of the peanut into this country 

 during its early colonial history as a result of the early 

 slave trade, as it is known that peanuts were used as staple 

 food for the maintenance of slaves on the voyage across 



1 Peanut L. C. Corbett, Bail. Cyclo. of Am. Agr., Vol. 2, p. 514. 



430 



