470 SOUTUERN FIELD CROPS 



wider than 2 feet and as the distance between plants was 

 increased above 6 inches. 



451. Seed. — To plant an acre of either Spanish or 

 running peanuts rather thicklj-, recjuires about two bushels 

 of unhuUed nuts, or about half a bu.shel of hulled peanuts. 



The seed intended for planting should be harvested 

 before the plants are killed by frost and so stacked and 

 stored as to avoid heating. Varieties ha\ang large pods 

 require the sheUing of the seed peas, but shelling is not 

 necessary wath the Spanish variet}^ The latter is usually 



Fig. 202. — A Peanttt "Popper." 

 A de^ee for shelling peanuts. 



simpljf broken, each piece being planted with the inclosing 

 shell. In this case, some growers find it advantageous to 

 soak the Spanish peanuts for a few hoiu's liefore planting, so 

 as to hasten germination. Shelling affords a more nearly 

 perfect stand and more rapid germination, thus giving 

 the crop an opportunity to begin growth liefore grass and 

 weetls start. 



Shelling of seed peanuts should usually be performed 

 by hand, since the use of machines for this jiurpose some- 

 times breaks the thin coat surrounding the nuts. Any 

 injury to this thin layer is apt to interfere with germina- 



