CHAPTER XXVIII 

 PEANUT — Arachis hypoggea 



The peanut is the principal sale crop in a number of 

 counties in the southeastern part of Virginia, in the eastern 

 part of North Carohna, and in one section in Tennessee. 

 Virginia and North Carolina produce more than half of 

 the commercial crop of the United States. The peanut 

 is grown for local use and as food for Uve-stock in every 

 southern state, and in a number of states further north 

 and west. 



In America the principal use of the peanut is for eating 

 after being parched. It is also extensively employed in 

 confectionery. It is one of the best foods for hogs and 

 poultry, and is also fed to other classes of hve-stock. 



442. Range. — The peanut is regarded as a native of 

 Brazil, though an Asiatic origin has also been claimed 

 for it. It became an important article of commerce in 

 Africa much earher than in the United States. In this 

 country the growing of peanuts for the market is an indus- 

 try that^has grown up since 1866, partly due to the knowl- 

 edge of the edible qualities of this nut spread throughout 

 the country by the soldiers who had fought in the peanut- 

 growing section of Virginia. 



Although the American crop of peanuts probably ap- 

 proaches twenty million bushels, including those con- 



463 



