FORAGE CROPS 
241 
The Virginia Bunch, the Virginia Runner, Spanish 
and the Tennessee Red are among the most popular 
varieties. 
Peanuts are planted either whole or shelled. The 
larger varieties will give a better stand if shelled, be¬ 
cause so many pods do not contain good seeds. The 
last half of the month of April is the most common 
time for planting. The rows are three feet apart, and 
the peanuts are spaced at a distance of about one foot 
in the row, covered to a depth of one inch and a half. 
One peck of shelled peanuts, or one and one-fourth 
bushels of pod peanuts will plant one acre. 
Cultivation is similar to that for corn or beans. After 
the pods begin to form, the vines should not be dis¬ 
turbed. 
Harvesting is best accomplished by cutting the vines 
for hay and turning the hogs in to eat the nuts. A 
plow or potato digger will loosen the vines from the 
soil. After they have begun to cure, the vines may be 
piled for drying. The peanuts are then placed in cocks. 
A long pole is driven into the ground, with two cross 
pieces to hold up the vines, which are then stacked about 
the pole. The shock is capped with hay. The best 
grades of nuts are picked by hand. Spanish peanuts 
are threshed with a machine. The hay is baled for 
feeding. 
Alfalfa. The reason why more people do not grow 
alfalfa is not because it lacks in value as a forage crop, 
but because it is different from those plants which they 
have been growing. It may be grown in well drained 
soils where there is plenty of lime and fertility. The 
creek and river bottoms are the best adapted for alfalfa. 
The soil should be well pulverized, free from trash, 
and rubbish. If possible it should be plowed some time 
