12 
Tttv 
important part of the handling of the peanut crop. Many 
persons who arc growing peanuts for the first time have an 
idea that the crop may be handled in some easier and cheaper 
way than by stacking, but many years <»f practice has shown 
that stacking around poles is the simplest and best method. 
By placing the vines and peas in the small Marks they are per- 
mitted to dry slowly and at the same time are in so small 
quantity that they will not become musty. 
The proper time for harvesting the peanut crop is indicated 
by a ripening appearance of the vines. This consists <>f a slight 
yellowing of the foliage and a drooping of the stems. A few- 
days later some of the lower Leaves will begin to fall, especially 
if the weather is dry. To the northern limits of the peanut 
territory the harvesting should he clone just before frost. 
Many beginners insist upon digging their peanut crop too 
early and before the peas have fully matured. It is true that 
there may he a pod now and then which bursts and sends forth 
a sprout, hut the number of these are few as compared with 
those of later formation which are rapidly filling. Where good 
peanut hay is especially desirable the crop should he harvested 
in time to secure the hest quality of vine and leaf. 
LIFTING THE PEANUTS FROM THE SOIL. 
The usual custom in the older peanut sections has been to 
simply run a plow under the roots and lift them from the 
23 ground. Sometimes a specially designed plow is used having a 
share or point with a broad wing to extend beneath the plants; 
in other cases an ordinary plow is used, hut the turning or 
21 moldhoard is removed to prevent the furrow being turned, the 
idea being to simply loosen the plants. This practice of plow- 
ing out the crop lias been responsible in a great measure for the 
general depletion of soil fertility throughout the peanut belt. 
By referring to our illustration showing the roots of the peanut 
25 plant with their great load of nitrogen-gathering bacteria, we 
can readily understand that if we are to maintain soil fertility 
these roots must he left in the soil. By the old method of 
plowing out the crop almost all of the roots are removed, and 
ss they have not subsequently been returned to the soil, deple- 
tion of fertility lias been the result. The proper method is to 
employ a tool which will cut off the greater portion of the root 
and leave it in the soil. 1 u several sections the farmers have 
2<> had special tools made for running under the peanut vines, and 
27 some of these are worthy of more general use. 
