434 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



The nuts sprout more quickly, if left in the soil after ma- 

 turity, than do those of the larger podded varieties. This 

 is due to the fact that the hull lies in close contact with the 

 peas and moisture is quickly absorbed. Spanish peanuts 

 should be dug or used as hog fee,d soon after ripening. They 

 are easily harvested, as the pods are clustered around the 

 base of the plant and adhere exceptionally well when the 



FIG. 72. Spanish type of peanut. 



plant is dug up. A bushel of Spanish peanuts weighs 28 

 pounds. 



Dixie Giant is a variety of peanuts so called because of 

 the large size of the pods. As it is not a high yielder and 

 requires a long growing season it is not a popular variety. 



539. Improvement of varieties. Peanut plants differ 

 greatly as regards their prolificacy just as^do the plants of 

 corn, wheat, or oats. For this reason it is of paramount 

 importance that planting seed be selected from those plants 



