february. 1943 · pounds of ground dolomitic limestone in the row. . 3. choice of avariety (see...

FEBRUARY. 1943

NORTH CAROLINA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERINGOF THE

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINAAND

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. CO-OPERATINGN. C. AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICEI. O. SCHAUB. DIRECTOR

STATE COLLEGE STATIONRALEIGH

DISTRIBUTED IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ACTS OF CONGRESS OF MAY 8 AND JUNE 30. 191d

Producing Peanuts For Oill

The National Program for the war effort requires peanuts foroil, and North Carolina has been given a goal which will requirethe maximum effort of the farm group. It is expected that eco-nomic adjustments will be made to encourage the growing ofmore peanuts in 1943 without the confusion that existed in somelocalities in 1942.

l. CHOOSING PROPER SOILSelect well drained, sandy, fine sandy, or very fine sandy loam

soils. Heavy soils, such as silts and clays, very fertile soils, orsoils high in organic matter produce large tops usually asso—ciated with poorly filled nuts. Clay soils present difficulties incultivation and many nuts are lost at harvest due to the soilclinging to the nuts and breaking the stem which attaches thenuts to the vine. Soils which form a hard crust are not suitablebecause the fruit stems 0r “pegs” are prevented from enteringthe soil.

2. LIME REQUIREMENTSPeanuts require limestone or calcium in both the root zone and

in the area of the bed where the peanuts are forming. Peanutsare grown in rotation with crops of lower lime requirementssuch as corn, cotton, small grains and tobacco. The soil shouldbe limed by broadcast applications to take care of the lime re-quirements of the crops grown in rotation with peanuts. Fourhundred pounds of ground dolomitic limestone should be appliedin the row and mixed with the soil with a fertilizer distributorbefore planting. This places the lime in the root zone thus takingcare of the extra lime requirement of the peanuts without thenecessity of broadcast applications above the requirements of theother crops in the rotation.As stated above peanuts also require lime or calcium in the

bed where the peanuts are developing. This requirement is com—monly met by the application of burned lime, potash lime orgypsum (land plaster) on top of the row. Where the calcium1Compiled by E. R. Collins, In Charge Agronomy Extension, in cooperation with L. L.

McLendon, Extension Agronomist; G. K. Middleton, W. E. Colwell, E. F. Shultz, Jr., andN. C. Brady, of the Agronomy Department of the North Carolina Experiment Station.

4 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICErequirement of the root is met by the application of dolomiticlimestone in the row, the calcium supply of the soil will take careof the calcium requirements in the bed except under the follow-ing conditions for Virginia type peanuts:

1. Soils low in calcium as indicated by high acidity2. Sandy soils which have a low capacity to supply fertilizer

nutrients, including calcium.The use of gypsum (landplaster) has been considered as an

insurance factor, but results show that its importance has beenoveremphasized due to the fact that relatively few major re—sponses have been observed. It is recommended that each farmertry using 400 pounds of dolomitic limestone in the row at plant-ing in comparison with his present practices.

RESPONSE OF PEANUTS TO DOLOMITIC LIMESTONE(N. C. Experiment Station, Bul. 330)

Increase from 400 lbs. Dolomitic Av. Net Profit AboveNo. of Fields .Period Limestone in Row Cost of Limestone221 3 Yrs. 83 Pounds per Acre $3.58 Per Acre

2Peanuts valued at 6 cents per pound and ground dolomitic limestone at $7.00 per ton.Significantly higher yields of cotton have been obtained at five

locations where cotton followed peanuts which received 400pounds of ground dolomitic limestone in the row. .

3. CHOICE OF A VARIETY(See page 10 for yield data.)Do not plant peanuts with red seed coat such as Valencia,

Tennessee Red, or Red Spanish for oil as the red seed coatsdiscolor the oil and prices are discounted accordingly.A. OLD BELT: Virginia type (Bunch or Runner) or the medium

runner adapted to the area should be planted. Ample seedstocks are available. Experiments have shown that thesetypes produce higher yields and more oil per acre than theSpanish variety, and that they are less susceptible to rootrot diseases.

B. NEW BELT:

PRODUCING PEANUTS FOR OIL 5

1. Where Virginia Bunch, or small local runners adaptedto the area are known to do well, these varieties should begrown for oil.Caution: Virginia type peanuts, however, in the hands ofinexperienced growers, on soil where these peanuts havenot been grown, have given very poor results at somelocations in 1942.

2. Spanish and Improved White Spanish varieties are asurer crop. They have filled out well even on sandy andSand Hill soils where Virginia type peanuts producedmany unfilled shells. Growers without experience withVirginia type peanuts are advised to use the Spanish orthe Improved White Spanish variety.

4. RATE OF PLANTING AND SPACING OF SEED

Spacing Approximate Lbs. Seed per AcreVariety Rows In Rows In Shell Shelled

Inches Inches Pounds Pounds8 to 10

Va. Bunch & Runner 33—36 shelled 70-75 458 to 10

Adapted Small Runner 33-36 shelled 60 35-404” shelled1 65 35

Spanish1 27-30 4" unshelled1 90

Improved 4" shelled1 60—80 45-50White Spanish‘ 27-30 4” unshelled1 120/

JIt is important to plant Spanish and Improved White Spanish not over 4 inches in therow when shelled and not over 4 inches in the row when planted in the shell because of thedifficulty in obtaining a stand. Spanish and Improved White Spanish will not spread out tofill up the row as much as the Virginia Bunch and Runner peanuts.

5. PEANUT SEED TREATMENT

Results of experimental and demonstrational test conductedby the Botany Department during the past two years show thatseed treatment of peanuts prior to planting will usually giveoutstanding increases in emergence. Details of materials andmethods for treating peanut seed, as well as methods of shelling,including comparisons with unshelled, are available in printedform and can be obtained by consulting your county agent orwriting to the Agricultural Editor, State College Station,Raleigh,» N. C.

6 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE

6. FERTILIZATIONSpanish and Improved White SpanishMix 400 pounds of finely ground limestone (dolomitic lime-

stone preferred because of magnesium content) in the furrow attime of planting. Apply fifty to seventy-five pounds of muriateof potash on top of row as peanuts come through the ground.Larger applications of potash may decrease yields and qualityof nuts. Do not apply potash when the plants are wet.

Complete fertilizers or those containing only phosphoric acidand potash are not recommended for peanuts, because their usefrequently decreases germination. Peanuts respond better toindirect fertilization on other crops in the rotation than to directfertilization on peanuts. Where other crops in the rotation donot receive sufficient phosphate to take care of peanuts, apply200 pounds of 0-10-10 on top of the row as the peanuts comethrough the ground as a substitute for the recommended 50 to75 pounds of muriate of potash.The application of gypsum (land plaster) is not recommended

on Spanish or Improved White Spanish peanut varieties. Thecalcium requirements of the peanuts may be met by this practicebut dolomitic limestone is less expensive, neutralizes soil acidity,and supplies magnesium which is deficient in many of the peanutsoils. Gypsum has no value for neutralizing soil acids or supply-ing magnesium.Experiments have shown that these factors are important in

crop production. Significantly higher yields of cotton have beenobtained at five locations where cotton followed peanuts whichreceived dolomitic limestone.Virginia Type PeanutsMix 400 pounds of finely ground limestone (dolomitic lime-

stone preferred because of magnesium content) in the furrow attime of planting. Apply fifty to seventy-five pounds of muriateof potash on top of row as peanuts come through the ground.Larger applications of potash may decrease yields and qualityof nuts. Do not apply potash when the plants are wet. Potashshould not be placed at the side of the row as it will be mixedwith the soil in the bed where the peanuts are developing. Potashin the soil where the peanuts are developing results in moreunfilled nuts or “pops.”

l )

PRODUCING PEANUTs FOR OIL 7

The use of gypsum (land plaster) is advisable on the sandiersoils, and on soils where it is known to give increased yields andbetter quality of nuts. It is felt that the value of gypsum hasbeen overemphasized and that it would pay growers to use theabove recommendation on a small area as a basis of comparison.Dolomitic limestone has the added advantages over gypsum ofneutralizing soil acidity, supplying magnesium to the soil, andof costing less per acre.

Complete fertilizers or those containing only phosphoric acidand potash are not recommended for peanuts, because their usefrequently decreases germination. Peanuts respond better to in—direct fertilization on other crops in the rotation than to directfertilization on peanuts. Where other crops in the rotation havenot received sufficient phosphate to take care of peanuts, apply200 pounds of 0—10-10 on top of the row as the peanuts comethrough the ground, as a substitute for the recommended 50-75pounds of muriate of potash.

7. CULTURAL METHODS

A. Well drained soils1. Lay off row so that bottom of furrow is 3 inches below

the level of land.2. Apply 400 pounds dolomitic limestone with fertilizer dis-

tributor, using two 4 inch cultivator shovels on distributorto cover the lime. This leaves a ridge 1 to 2 inches abovethe level of the land.

3. Plant peanuts as soon as cotton planting is finished, pre—ferably April 10-30 in the new area, April 10 to May 10in the old area. Two years’ results at the Upper CoastalPlain Station show that 193 pounds per acre more pea-nuts were obtained by planting on April 10 than byplanting on May 10. Early planting assures better germi-nation and permits early digging. This permits diggingSpanish and Improved White Spanish in the new areabefore time to pick cotton.

4. Adjust depth gauge of planter so that seed will bedropped 1 to 3 inches below top of ridge. Plant shallowwith good moisture conditions; plant deeper with dryconditions. Peanuts in the shell should be planted deeperthan shelled peanuts.

8 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE5. Run a spike tooth drag or weeder diagonally across therow before the seed germinate (usually 4 to 5 days afterplanting). The use of the weeder should be continueduntil the plants are so large that they are injured.6. Keep the peanuts cultivated clean since grass and weedsprovide serious competition for moisture and nutrients.7. After blossoming, do not cultivate close enough to injurethe pegs attaching the peanuts to the plant.8. Maintain the bed wide and flat instead of narrow andsteep.

B. Moderately well drained soils.Throw up a slight ridge with a two mule cultivator or longsweep on soil only moderately well drained. This will provide agradual slope from the top of the row to the middle for betterdrainage. The top of the row should be 3 to 4 inches above themiddle. Other operations are same as above for well drainedsoils.

8. INOCULATIONSince the cost is low (25 to 30 cents per acre) it seems a goodinsurance factor to inoculate peanuts. Results show that in—oculated peanuts grow off earlier in the spring and under someconditions inoculation nets a very sizeable profit. Inoculation ismore likely to show a profit on sandy soils and on soils whichhave not been previously planted to peanuts.

9. STACK POLESHoles may be dug and poles set in holes before plowing outpeanuts. Tip poles to one side to permit mules to pass whenplowing. This saves labor at the rush of digging time and avail-able labor can tamp poles and nail on cross arms while thepeanuts are drying out after plowing.

A. Size: 7 feet long and at least 3 inches in diameter. Two by 2inch sawed strips are satisfactory.B. Number of Poles Required:

For Spanish and Improved White Spanish varieties onestack pole is required for approximately 10 to 14 rows de-pending upon vine growth. Spacing in the row should beapproximately 40 feet.

PRODUCING PEANUT‘S FOR OIL 9

For Virginia type peanuts one stack is required forapproximately 7 to 1.0 rows depending on Vine growth. Inthe following table is shown the number of stack polesrequired per acre with different row widths and differentnumber of rows per stack.

NUMBER OF STACK POLES REQUIRED WITH ROW WIDTHS ANDNUMBER OF ROWS PER STACK AS INDICATED. CALCULATED

ON BASIS OF 40 FEET BETWEEN POLESNumber of Rows Per Stack

Row Width 7 10 11 12 14Poles per A. Poles per A. Poles per A. Poles per A. Poles per A.

Spanish and Improved White Spanish24 inches 54 50 45 3927 inches 49 45 40 3530 inches 44 40 36 31

Virginia Bunch Type33 inches 57 3936 inches 52 36

C. Digging holes:Dig stack pole holes 18 inches deep with a post hole digger

or auger. This is deep enough to prevent poles from fallingover when well tamped. Deeper holes make it hard to getpoles out of ground at picking time.

D. Tamping poles:Tamp the dirt around poles with the handle of the shovel

used to fill holes around pole. Well tamped poles will not fallover and cause loss of peanuts due to weather damage.

E. Cross arms:Number required per acre is twice the number of poles

shown above. Slats should be 18 to 24 inches long. These canbe split poles or smaller poles notched to fit flat against thestack pole. One inch sawmill strips 2 to 3 inches wide arevery satisfactory. With one 8 or 10 penny nail, fasten the topslat on first just below knee cap (15-18 inches abOve theground) when standing next to pole. Nail the second slat,just below the first one and at a right angle to it. It willrequire approximately one pound of 8 penny or 11/2 poundsof 10 penny nails per acre.


10. TIME OF DIGGINGThe continuous development of peanuts throughout the season

is similar to that of cotton bolls. Two or more cotton pickingsmay be made but peanuts must be dug only once, preferably ata time when the largest number of pods are filled. Peanuts areready to dig when the inside of the hull turns dark and veinsappear on the outside of the hull. Harvesting too late results ina loss of kernels of the Virginia type since the peg rots off, and aloss of the Spanish type since they sprout in the ground ifmoisture conditions are favorable for it. Harvesting too earlyresults in large numbers of shriveled and unfilled nuts. Theproper time of digging should represent a compromise betweenthe two extremes.

ll. DIGGING PEANUTSOne of the most common ways to dig peanuts is to use a broad

turning plow point on a small plow with the mouldboard re-moved or, a mouldboard with the end broken off. The plow is runslightly to one side of the row so that the projection on the pointcuts off the tap root. Two mules are used on the plow so they canwalk on each side of the row.A bar about 4 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick sharpened in

front and attached to each side of a two-row cultivator can beused to good advantage to cut off the tap root and loosen thesoil. The center of the bar should be bent forward about 8 inchesfarther than the ends and the back side should be about one inchhigher than the front to give a slight lift to the soil as it goesunder the peanuts.

l2. STACKING PEANUTSThe leaves should be wilted before stacking to prevent mould-

ing in the stack. Peanuts Will usually be dry enough to stack inthree to four hours with good drying conditions.

Lift up the vines, shake free of dirt and lay on the cross piecesof the stack pole with the nuts next to the pole. The stack is builtby adding successive layers of Vines, keeping the center higherthan the edges to permit the water to run off. Hang a vinearound the pole occasionally to tie the stack together. Excessivedirt left on the vines delays curing of the peanuts, results inexcess rotting of the nuts and Vines and makes picking moredifficult. ‘


13. WINTER LEGUME COVER CROPFollowing peanuts with a winter cover crop is a gOOd practice.

A good legume cover crop will assist in maintaining the soilorganic matter content and the phosphate and potash supply ofthe soil can be replenished by direct fertilization. Since a goodseedbed already exists it is necessary only to harrow across therows with a section harrow and drill in the cover crop as soon aspeanuts are dug. If a drill is not available the cover crop andfertilizer can be broadcast and covered by harrowing across therows. An application of 300 to 400 pounds of an 0-10-10 fer-tilizer is recommended.

14. HAULING STACKS TO PICKERThe most efficient method of hauling the stacks to the picker is

with the use of a wagon or sled.Wagon. A flat frame on the wagon is made with boards run-

ning lengthwise and held in place by 2 x 4 inch pieces. For load—ing the stacks, a 8 inch pole or a 34 inch pipe 5 feet long ispushed under the stack and after pushing the top sideways toloosen it, two men lift it to the wagon where it is tipped intoplace. One man can easily unload the stacks at the picker. A 14foot rack will haul 5 to 7 stacks depending upon their size. Lessdamage to the cover crop results when a wagon is used insteadof a sled or cart.

Sled. The sled consists of two runners of 2 x 6 inches on edge,about 4 feet apart and held together with 2 x 4 or 2 X 6 inchpieces of lumber spiked to both runners. A few strips are nailedlengthwise over the cross pieces holding the runners. It can beany length desired depending on the number of stacks to behauled at one time. For loading the stacks a 3 inch pole or a 34inch pipe is pushed under the stack and after pushing the topsideways to loosen it, two men lift the stack pole out of theground to the sled.

15. PICKING PEANUTSA curing period of 4 to 6 weeks in the stack is necessary be—

fore peanuts are ready to pick. The stems should be brittle sothat they will be broken up fine enough for the fan to blow outthe stems and trash. A regular peanut picker is necessary forremoving the nuts from the Vines on a commercial scale.

\


A grain thresher can be adjusted satisfactorily for Spanishpeanuts by removing part of the concave teeth, setting the con—cave away from the cylinder, reducing the cylinder speed andusing larger screens.Homemade pickers can be used for small scale plantings. Blue-

prints on inexpensive homemade pickers for a small acreage canbe obtained from the Agricultural Engineering Department.

Store the peanuts in sacks or in bulk in a dry well ventilatedplace protected from mice, rats and other rodents.

16. PEANUT HAYPeanut vines make valuable hay, but when it is removed from

the land, peanuts become a soil depleting crop. Any hay that isnot needed for feed on the farm should be spread back on theland as soon after picking as possible. Rains leach the potashand nitrogen out of the hay left in a pile. Concentration of thesenutrients under the pile make the soil too fertile for maximumreturns and leaves the rest of the soil unnecessarily depleted. Ifthe hay is fed on the farm all the manure should be conservedand returned to the land.

17. MARKETINGThe value of peanuts is determined by weight and shelling

percentage of good kernels.

APPROXIMATE OIL, AND MEAL FROM ONE TON OF UNSHELLEDPEANUTS

Variety Oil 11bs.) Meal (lbs.)Virginia 460-500 700-740Spanish 600—650 740-800Runner 530-570 800-850

18. ROTATIONSPeanuts must be grown in rotation for economical production.

A three year rotation is preferred. Suggested rotations are givenbelow: '

Rotation 151; Year 2nd Year 3rd YearNo. 1 Cotton Peanuts Corn and SoybeansNo. 2 Oats and Lespedeza Corn PeanutsNo. 3 Cotton PeanutsNo. 4 Corn Peanuts


As pointed out previously peanuts do not respond as well todirect fertilization as to indirect fertilization to the other cropsin the rotation. Potash particularly should be increased on theother crops when grown in rotation with peanuts. Peanuts area soil depleting crop when the nuts and vines are removed.Winter cover crops should be used following corn, cotton andpeanuts in the rotation. Peanuts are susceptible to SouthernRoot Rot, and where this disease is present peanuts should notfollow soybeans in a rotation nor appear too frequently in therotation.

19. HOGGING PEANUTSPeanuts harvested by hogged down methods are a soil im—

proving crop providing the physical condition of the soil is notinjured by letting the hogs root when the soil is too wet. Laborproblems at harvest time can be solved by hogging the extraacres of peanuts. Turn hogs on peanuts when they are ready todig. Spanish are ready to be dug or for the hogs to be turned ontwo to three weeks earlier than Runner or Virginia type peanuts.An acre yielding 1,000 pounds of nuts will produce about

350 pounds of pork when hogged in the fall and about 275 to 325pounds if hogged in December and January. Information onmineral supplements and precautions to be taken when hoggingdown peanuts can be obtained from the Animal HusbandryDepartment.


20. COMPARISON OF LABOR REQUIREMENTS FOR COTTONAND PEANUTS

One Mule Farmer Two Mule FarmerPeanuts Cotton Peanuts Cotton

Man Mule Man MuleHours Hours Hours Hours Man MuleHours Hours Man MuleHours HoursPreparation of land 8 8 8 8 5 10 5 10Harrowing land 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2Running rows 1.7 1.7 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.7 1.2 1.2Applying lime or fertilizerin row 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.2 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7Bedding land . . . . 2.5. 2.5 2.5 2.5Planting 1.7 _ 1.7 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.7 1.2 1.2Gross harrowing (3 times) 6 6 3 6Chopping cotton . . . . 10 10Topdressing potash on pea-nuts or nitrogen on cotton 1.7 . . 1 1.7 1Plowing peanuts 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7Splitting peanut middles 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7Cultivation of cotton .. .. 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2Picking cotton (1 bale peracre) . . . . 67 20 67 20Hauling cotton to gin" .. . , 5 5 5 10Cut and haul stack polesand dig holes 10 10 10 10Place poles, tamp and nailon cross arms 2.5Plowing out peanuts 1.7 1.7 1.7 3.5Stacking peanuts ' 15 15Picking peanuts (farmlabor)1 .5 5Hauling peanuts to storage 2.5 2.5 4

63 , 44 111 52 55 49 107 601Farm labor only hauls stack to picker.The preceding figures show that it requires only approxi-

mately 56 percent as much. labor to grow peanuts on a one mulefarm as in the case of cotton. On a two mule farm it requiresonly approximately 51 percent as much labor to produce peanuts


as in the case of cotton. Cotton yield is calculated as one bale peracre and peanuts at 18 bags.

21. THE VALUE OF PEANUT HAY IN MAINTAINING SOILFERTILITY

Peanuts are well adapted as a source of hay for the farm. Theonly labor necessary is hauling it to the barn as it comes fromthe picker. Because of this convenience in harvesting and itsfeeding value, it is likely that many growers will continue to feedpeanut hay. The fertilizing value of the hay, or the value of themanure produced from animals consuming the hay, should notbe underestimated and the greatest care should be taken inhandling the hay, conserving the manure and returning them tothe land. One ton of peanut hay contains fertilizer nutrientsequivalent to 246 pounds of nitrate of soda, 49 pounds of lime, 29pounds of 18 percent superphosphate, 82 pounds of 50 percentmuriate of potash, 14 pounds of 92 percent magnesium oxide.On the basis of one ton of unshelled nuts and two tons of hay peracre, approximately 90 per cent of the calcium, 80 percent of themagnesium, 80 percent of the potash, 56 percent of the nitrogen,and 20 percent of the phosphoric acid are in the hay. Returningthe hay to the land, directly or through animal manures, wouldovercome a large part of the soil deplet’ing properties of peanuts.

22. MAINTAINING SOIL FERTILITY IN PEANUT PRODUCTIONThe War Production Board has set up large production goals

for peanuts in the Southeastern States. It is imperative thatthese peanuts be produced With the most efficient use of land,fertilizer, and labor, at all times keeping in mind the main-tenance of soil fertility for other crops. This objective can beaccomplished by the following procedure:1. Grow peanuts in a rotation in which they follow a heavily

fertilized crop, as cotton or tobacco.2. Apply lime, preferably dolomitic limestone because of its high

magnesium content.3. Apply 50-75 pounds potash on top of the row as the peanuts

come through the ground.4. Increase potash applications to all other crops in the rotation.5. Return the hay or animal manures to the land.


6. Plant a Winter legume cOver crop after digging to maintainthe organic matter content of the soil and fertilize it withphosphate and potash.

YIELD IN POUNDS PER ACRE OF UNSHELLED PEANUTS, BY TYPES INEXPERIMENT STATION AND COOPERATIVE TESTS——1939-1942

County and No. of tests in each, Edgecombe Bladen Halifax North- Per- BertieType or Varlety 2 ampton qulmans1942 194 — _ ’ fl " —' —‘ nnlv 3 ‘ only 2 2 2 2

|Va. Bunch (Av. 11 strains) 1235 1888 1418 1734 1328 1581 1377 1576Jumbo Runner (Av. 4 strains) 1143 1766 1029 1335 1281 1470 1492 1372Medium Runner1 1314 1967 1287 1550 1593 1607 1501 1510Small Runner2 1025 1625 922 1096 1089‘ 1457 1351Imp. White Spanish (2B) 1079 2126 1261 1401 857 755 956 1370Spanish 1635 996

1A single strain secured from R. V. Knight, Tarboro, N. C., and often called the Martin County Runner.This variety is intermediate in size between Virginia Bunch and the N.-C. Runner (Wilmington Runner).2North Carolina Runner except for 1942 where small strains from Georgia and Alabama are included.

february. 1943 · pounds of ground dolomitic limestone in the row. . 3. choice of avariety (see...

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