432 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



The roots are a yellowish color and are abundantly 

 supplied with nodules. 



537. Composition. — All parts of the peanut plant 

 are rich in nutritive qualities. The kernel is especially 

 rich in oil. The meal or " cake" left after the oil has been 

 extracted from the kernels is valuable for its high protein 

 content. Peanut hay is almost as high in feeding nutrients 

 as clover hay. 



Table 40. Food Constituents in Different Parts op Peanut 



Plant ' 



538. Varieties. — There are only five or six distinct 

 varieties of peanuts grown in the United States. These 

 varieties are classified into large-podded and small-podded 

 types. They are further classified into bunch and running 

 varieties. They may be classified according to the color 

 of the skin (testa) on liie seed into white and red varieties. 



For the production of roasted peanuts the large-podded 

 varieties are preferred. For agricultural purposes and 

 for the production of forage the bimch habit is a decided 

 advantage as such varieties can be more closely planted. 

 The leading varieties of peanuts are briefly described be- 

 low: 



' Hunt, " Forage and Fiber Crops in America,'' p. 235. 



