The New Student's Reference Work/Peanut

Peanut. The pod and seed of an annual plant (arachis hypogaia) which belongs to the pea family. It grows to a height of one to two feet. After its flower has faded, the stalk buries itself in the ground, where a number of yellowish seed pods are developed. These when mature are the peanut of the market. Peanuts thrive best in a light sandy loam, and in a moist, warm climate. In the south peanuts are more commonly known as goobers or goober peas. They are grown principally in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. The crop has become an important one. Virginia leads with an annual yield of nearly 4,000,000 bushels. A large part of the crop is used for roasted peanuts, and a high value is placed on the peanut for forage and hay. In 1910 our imports of peanuts amounted to over 33,000,000 bushels. The peanut is cheap and its food-value high. In the manufacture of peanut-butter and confectionery it has come to be extensively used.

PEANUT

A—Plant with Root, Blossom and underground Nuts. 1—Blossom cut lengthwise. 2—Ripe Nut.
3—Nut cut lengthwise. 4—Seed. 5 and 6—Germ.