436 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



that produce a large number of mature pods. In this way 

 the plants of low producing power are gradually eliminated 

 and larger yields to the acre are obtained. 



CULTURE OF PEANUTS 



540. Soil. Peanuts having the highest market value 

 are produced in light colored soils of a sandy or loamy 

 nature. Reddish colored soils having a high content of 

 iron are likely to stain the pods, in which case the market 

 value of the crop is reduced. The same is true of very 

 dark soils. When the crop is grown for agricultural pur- 

 poses, the staining of the pods is of little consequence. 

 High yields are often produced on clay soils, and when the 

 crop is grown for hog pasture, as is often the case, the se- 

 lection of the soil for the crop is a less difficult matter. 

 Peanuts should never be planted on poorly drained or 

 sour soils, or on soils that easily become hard owing to the 

 inability of the ovary-bearing peduncles or "pegs" to 

 enter the soil. 



541. Rotations. The peanut can be made to fit well 

 into a large variety of rotations, but it should invariably 

 follow a clean-cultivated crop which has been kept free 

 from weeds. Among the crops that may precede peanuts 

 in a good rotation are corn, cotton, sweet potatoes, or 

 Irish potatoes. The peanut is also admirably adapted to 

 combination cropping. The most important companion 

 crop is corn which is often planted in alternate rows with 

 the peanuts. In the South Atlantic and Gulf states pea- 

 nuts are extensively planted between the rows of corn when 

 the latter crop receives its last cultivation. When the corn 

 is harvested the peanut vines are pastured off by cattle. 

 Hogs are then turned in to utilize the remainder of the 

 crop. 



