PREFA C E 



The Peanut — The Unpredictable Legume has brought together 

 between two covers authoritative information on this crop. From a mass 

 of data, much of which is contradictory, inconsistent and erratic, here is 

 presented a consoHdation and interpretation of present-day ideas which 

 forms a sound foundation for further needed research on the economic 

 production of peanuts — the most pecuhar of all major farm crops. This 

 volume is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the peanut 

 plant and its economic production. It should not be construed as an end 

 point to the problems in agronomy, plant nutrition, plant physiology, 

 plant pathology, biochemistry, agricultural engineering and entomology. 

 Many of such problems, however, are clarified by the material presented. 



Generous credit is due the chapter authors upon whom the burden of 

 preparing the subject matter fell. Years of patient work in consolidating 

 and interpreting the results in each field of investigation are represented 

 by THE PEANUT— THE UNPREDICTABLE LEGUME. The con- 

 tributions of the chapter authors have been unselfishly made in the in- 

 terest of the advancement of agricultural science. They deserve the grati- 

 tude of all producers, processors and consumers of peanuts. 



The development of this volume began in 1937 when the great prob- 

 lems of varying results involving fertilizer field trials engaged the atten- 

 tion of the Plant Food Research Committee of The National Fertilizer 

 Association. The need for more research was presented to and approved 

 by the Southeastern Agronomy Research Committee of the Southeastern 

 Experiment Stations, January 31, 1939. Then followed a series of confer- 

 ences of research workers. These scientists contributed data and obser- 

 vations which stimulated new research and clarified previous findings. 

 Annual conferences were held from 1939 to 1944, inclusive, and, after a 

 year's omission, were resumed in 1946 and continued through 1948. 



Personalities involved in the many investigations and contributing to 

 the understanding of peanut production problems at the various con- 

 ferences included many distinguished authorities. 



Chairmen of the conferences during the various years were: W. E. 

 Stokes, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, N. J. Volk, Alabama 

 Agricultural Experiment Station, and R. W. Cummings, North Carolina 



