l80 FARM CROPS 



with all leguminous crops. If the grower fertilizes 

 his peanut land abundantly with phosphorus, potas- 

 sium and lime — for let it be known that peanuts 

 relish lime in considerable quantities — his land 

 ought to be more fertile and productive after each 

 succeeding year. Peanut lands suffer, as a rule, 

 from the depletion of the mineral elements. Of 

 course a considerable quantity of these mineral 

 elements enters into the growth of the kernel. 



Now, as the peanut uses a considerable quantity 

 of mineral materials, it follows that if good growth 

 and productive yields are to be obtained, it is neces- 

 sary to add such elements in the fertilizers. Pea- 

 nut lands also lose considerable fertility and value 

 through the constant washing during the winter 

 season. This is not necessary, because some grow- 

 ing crops can follow peanuts so as to prevent the 

 washing and the leaching of the soil. Crimson 

 clover is a good winter crop. If difficulty is en- 

 countered in securing stands in sandy lands, a crop 

 like rye is excellent for the winter season. Since 

 a rotation of crops is as important in peanut grow- 

 ing as in any other line of special farming, it fol- 

 lows that it is not wise to grow peanuts on the 

 same land every year. Follow rye, therefore, with 

 some crop like cowpeas or some vegetable adding 

 crop or even corn. Of these, cowpeas are, of course, 

 the best. 



Peanuts, while grown most extensively through 

 Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, can be 

 grown in most sections of the country. In fact, it 

 may be said that peanuts will grow everywhere 

 that Indian corn succeeds. A loamy soil of a sandy 

 nature and light and porous, produces the most 

 remunerative peanuts. However, practically any 



