Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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PEANUTS PROFITABLE CROP TO BEAT BOLL WEEVIL. (Continued from page 9, column 6.) in the drill. If the Little Runners are planted, the rows should be three feet wide, and the seed nuts dropped about sixteen inches apart in the drill. Before the nuts are up, if the ground has been packed or crusted by rain, a peg or spring tooth harrow run lightly over the seed bed may be of benefit. The nuts may be planted in April or May, after the ground has warmed up, and is sufficiently moist to insure germination. The first and second workings are given with a Little-Jo harrow, run astride of the plants. The animal pulling the harrow may step on the plants oecassionallv, but this will pot injure them very much. When the plants are about four inches broad, it is customary to "left side" them, that is throw the dirt away from the plants, and if any grass is present, this will present a good opportunity to get it out with a hoe. The plants are then sided wiyi a sweep, run flat, and when necessary the sweep is used again. The middles are kept free of weeds and grass. This description of cultivation may seem alarmingly laborious, but it evidently not so hard to carry out, for many farmers told me that four or five workings, without the aid of a hoe, made their crop of peanuts. A general rule seems to be to keep the ground soft so that the vines maysend down their pegs into the earth, and to keep down the grass and weeds that appear. Grass in peanuts means extra hard work in gathering. Flat cultivation is necessary both on account of making a full crop, and because it is easier to gather. C. Harvesting. The time of harvesting depends upon the variety planted, and the date of planting. The i' wlrte Span'sh nuts have a shorter growinsr ce^son than the Runners. The conation of the nuts and vines show the experienced farmer when to v begin to harvest. When the nuts nearest the body of the plant have ^ filled out, and the leaves begin to shed, it is time to commence to gather the crop. If gathering is delayed too long, th$ full prime nuts near the body of the plant will be lost, since the stem that attaches them to the plant rots after maturity. Again, the white Spanish nuts will sprout in the ground if left too long after they have matured. Too early harvesting of either variety will also cause a loss, since the nuts must be allowed to become full and mature as far as possible. All will not fill out at one time, so some 1 will certainly be lost. Experience alone- will show exactly when best to begin the harvest. The first operation is to plow up the nuts with a peanut plow. There are plows made especially for this purpose that are very satisfactory. The nuts and vines are plowed up by running the wing of the peanut point under first one side and then the other side of the plants. The vines with nuts attached are then < shaken free of dirt, either by hand or with pitchforks. About eight to -twelve rows of nuts are thrown together in a row, thus making a "heap tow." Along this "heap row" the vines and nuts are stacked. They -may bq stacked immediately after plowing up, but most farmers prefer to let them sun for half a day. The gathering of the peanut crop should be done in dry fair weather. The stacking of the vines is done so that they may be thoroughly cured, 'and be least damaged by rains. Six hands will stack three to five acres a day. Before harvesting time a sufficient number of poles are prepared, three or four inches in diameter, and 1 about seven feet long, having the top end sharpened. These poles are in tVi q crrmin H wifh a TlOSt bole put 1 1* HIV* jiVUitu " ? v*? digger or shovel about twelve to eighteen inches deepso the wind will not blow over the stacks. At twelve to eighteen inches from the ground two cross arms four feet long are nailed at right angles to the stack pole, and at right angles to each other, thus forming a support for the vines that will keep them from the ground, and permit ventilation. The peanuts are stacked about these poles, and the vines should be stacked up some eighteen inches above the ends of the poles, as there is a certain amount of settling. This completes this part of the work. In about a month or six weeks the vines and nuts are cured, and the picking may commence. Picking should be done only in fair weather. The nuts should not be allowed to remain in the field longer than necessary. as some damage by rain takes place to nuts and hay, if exposed too long. The vines may be removed from the stick poles and carried in wagons to the peanut picker, but some nut* are shattered and lost this way. Usually the whole stack, pole and vines, is carried to the picker. This may b<_ done by wagon, but a more modern way is to build a fulcrum across the rear end of the wagon, over rear axle, and by means of long levers pull the poles from the earth. In the end of the lever projecting over the rear of wagon a chain with a ring in end is attached. When the wagon is backed up to a stack of peanuts, some of the top vines are removed, thus exposing the Dole, over which a slip knot of chain is dropped. Then the stack is pulled up with the prize pole or lever, and carried at the rear of the wagon .to the picker. The peanuts are picked from the vines by a peanut picker, and the nuts may be carried in bulk or h? sacks in a wagon to the nearest market, or they may be stored for later sale. The peanut hay is usually baled i--- ?-? ~ ~ ftomlord hnlinff ma I)V UijUlo <111 ? Olauum VI c chine, or may be housed loose. Under ordinary conditions land that will make a bale of cotton per acre will make a ton of cleaned peanuts, and about a ton of vines, and other land in about the same proportion. Seasonal conditions and fertilizers and lime make variations in the yields per acre, just as in other crops. D. Marketing. As just stated the peanuts are usually carried direct from the picker to market, but if the nuts are not thoroughly dry and properly cured they will not bring as good a price as well cured dry nuts will bring. It is sometimes better for the farmer to hout,e his nuts for a while, but if the nuts are properly cured in the stack, they may be sold at once. In Alabama there are numbers of buyers, just as for cotton seed in this State, and competition is keen. The farmers of this section need not have any fears that there will not be buyers for whatever peanuts they may make, and in this connection it may be stated that the company of which the writer is president, The Cotton Oil Company, Bamberg, S. C., will be actively in the market for peanuts next season. The prices paid this fall for peanuts were extremely high on account of the short crop. Little Runners were bringing abut $180.00 per ton, and the little white Spanish are sell;ng for about $225.00 ner ton. These, are unusual prices, just as forty cents cotton is unusual, and peanuts may' not be worth as much next fall, but of course they may bring as much or more. At any rate, for the past several years peanuts have been bringing big prices, and have been very profitable to growers. The difference in the prices of the two varieties named is on account of the higher oil yield per ton of the white Spanish. But generally more bushels per acre of the Little Runners may be made, thus making it a matter of choice as to which variety is most profitable. This section probably will plant the little white Spanish almost entirely for sales crop, and perhaps the Little Runners for hogs. Some farmers in Alabama plant both kinds for sale, being careful not to get the varieties mixed. Repeatedly the Alabama farmers stressed the belief that we should not experiment with all kinds of varieties, but to plant either the white Spanish or the little North Carolina or Georgia runners, being the same nut, how E. Miscellaneous. In Alabama the peanut hay is fed to all kinds of livestock, the farm work animals receiving very little, if any, other forage. The market value of this hay in Alabama is $15.00 to $20.00 per ton, this comparatively low price existing probably because so much of it is made. The farmers use it on their farms prefering to market it through livestock, rather than to sell in the bale. Live stock is an important part of farm operations in Alabama, and adds greatly to the prosperity of the people. Hog raising is sure to have a major place in a system of agriculture which includes the growing of peanuts, as evidenced by the fact that in 1914 two cars of hogs were sold in Coffee county, and these mostly were sold to obtain money with which to pay taxes. In 1918 over three hundred carloads were shipped. Hog buyers of the packing houses buy these hogs on the spot, paying cash for them. Every other week, on certain days, these buyers meet the farmers with " - ' - * in tha tnwna meir nogs, at lug jjcuo iu mo i and if the prices are right, sales are made: A great deal of money is paid to the farmers for their hogs. Peanut fed hogs do not bring as much per pound as corn fed hogs, on account of the soft fat of peanut fed hogs, but for the peanut farmer there is probably more profit in hogs, than there is for the corn belt hog raiser. The building of a packing plant at Beaufort, S. C., and the probable reorganization of the plant at Orange1 burg, S. C., will afford markets for I hogs raised in this section. But buyers from other plants will be only too glad of an opportunity to buy hogs in this State, if the hogs are available. It is a common practice in Alabama to feed their hogs, and particularly \ the pigs,'on peanut meal. This is said to be one of the very best feeds for pigs, using it as a slop, and will make quicker and cheaper gains than other feeds. A campaign for the purpose of increasing the number of hogs in the lower section of our State may be of interest, but the writer believes with the Alabama farmer, that if peanuts are grown live stock and hog raising will follow as a natural consequence. This is a critical time in our history as an agricultural people, and ruin awaits many if sound judgment is not exercised. There are farmers who now believe that one more full crop of cotton may be made in spite of the boll weevil, and who will risk 1-. mnr novt can onn r?n fnttfin CV Ci > 1111115 XI^At OVUOW11 v/11 v vv-wvyii.) rather than attempt some other money crop. We have heard of bankrupt men, depopulated farms, and low land value?, in sections where the boll weevil has descended upon an unprepared people. But we have likewise heard of prosperous farmers, wealthy communities, valuable farm land, and contented people, in other sections where sensible changes in their system of agriculture have been made. How shall we as an agricultural people conduct ourselves in this emer: gency? The answer to that question 1 will be written over the face of our farms next season, and may the handwriting spell success and not disaster. J. A. WYMAN. Bamberg. S. C., November 17th. 1919, VI befomf ducouraerd hpcausf oth? /^| treatments failec' Hunt's Salv* ftwdfep ^as r?''Cved hund-cdj of such cases Ycu can't lose on ou. M&gaiji/lyffl Monty Bach Cuarante? Try Jjjjji'w it at our risk TODAY Price'5c iUtMSiae For sale locally bv MACK'S DRUG STORE, Bamberg. James Watson Says, "I'll Never Forget When Father's Hogs Got Cholera. "One morning he found 20 hogs dead and several sick. He called in the Vet. who after dissecting a rat caught on the premises, decided that the rodents had conveyed germs. Since then I am never without RATSNAP. It's the surest, quickest rat destroyer I know." Three sizes, 25c, -50c, $1.00. Sold and guaranteed 'y Smoak & Move, Bamberg, S. C. GOOD THINGS TO EAT City Market Hutto & Bellinger, Props. BAMBERG, S. 0. ? No Worms in a Healthy Child I All children troubled with worms have an un! healthy color, which indicates poor blood, and as a rule, there is more or less stomach disturbance. GROVE'S TASTELESS chill TONIC given regularly for two or three weeks will enrich the blood, improve the digestion, and act as a General Strengthening Tonic to the whole system. Nature will then throw off or dispel the worms, and the Child will be in perfect health. Pleasant to take. 60c per bottle. Those Who Care for something a little different, something NEW AND EXCLUSIVE, will find it by coming to us. Our FURNITURE gives any home a refined, city air, which is hard to obtain outside of the city stores. Come iii and see. us. You are always welcome, whether you wish to buy or not. G. R. SIMMONS Fountain pen ink, in all size bottles, at Herald Book Store. 1 f A Rat That Didn't Smell After Being Dead for 3 Months. i "I swear it was dead at least 3 months," said James Sykes, Butcher, Westfield, X. J. "We saw this rat j every day. Put a cake of RAT-SNAP i behind a barrel. Months later my wife asked about the rat. Remem- i bered the barrel, looked behind it. | There was the rat?dead, not the j slightest odor." Three sizes, 25c, i 50, $1.00. Sold and guaranteed by Srroak and Moye, Bamberg, S. C. DR. J. T. CARTER Office Honrs: 9 to 10 a. m.; 2:30 to; 3:30 p. m. Office in The Herald Building. BAMBERG, S. C. ; MAXTONE?The guaranteed ton- j ic for chills, fever and malaria. 25c and 50c bottle. R. P. BELLINGER j ATTORNEY-AT-LAW General Practice in All Courts. Office Work and Civil Business a Specialty. Money to Lend. Offices in rear over Hoffman's Store. BAMBERG, S. C. | Grove's Tasteless chill Tonic restores vitality and energy by purifying and en- i riching the blood. You can soon feel its Strengthening, Invigorating Effect. Price 60c. J. WESLEY DRUM, JR., ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Bamberg, S. C. Practice in State and Federal Courts. Loans negotiated. ?| c _ Best material and workmanr ship, light running, requires little power; simple, easy to handle. Are made In several sizes and are good, substantial money-making machines down to the smallest size. Write for catolog showing Engines, BOilera anH all Saw Mill RlinnlifiR. ! "LOMBARD IRON WORKS & g I SUPPLY CO. I I Augusta. Ga. E | DR. THOMAS BLACK ; DENTAL SURGEON. Graduate Dental Department University of Maryland. Member S. C. State Dental Association. Office opposite postoffice. Office hours, 8:30 a. m. to 5:30 p. m. BAMBERG. S. C. So / f ' T J T t <> J X T t V We beg to am & have moved our be V pleted ,on Broad s1 > bow Warehouse. I Our new plar V growing busiiness, give prompt and el a You are cordi V V plant. x X * i x T T t | | Bamberg ( T T V WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC And Invite Yon to Become One of Onr Regular Customers Why not make this bank your bank? Make use of our Bank Account Plan; take advantage of our V facilities and equipment for the better protection of your income and creating a reserve fund for future use. ^ Enterprise Bank BAMBERG, S. C. H. M. GRAHAM, DR. ROBT. BLACK, W. D. COLEMAN, President Vice President Cashier P.TPP.TT.Q ANm MPttAfXP.PTP Ott OttP TTfttTPT VAJ.VV W M *1* AJX1 J.JLV* AJ XVJLU VX1 VA1XJ - " - Street Parade 10:30 a. m. Performances 2:00 and 8:00 p. m. C MERIT^AND^IlJlNALIT^ ft COMPREHENSIVE ENSEMBLE 'MTfMzMm Wi&WvmJ>-5^31 v THE WORLD'S BEST PERFORMERS /p-S'jTO m E nMtSI TRAINE0 - ? ? ? AA Read The Herald for all County and Mate news, year IVAL NOTICE Mi aounce to our customers and friends that we y >ttling works to our new building, recently com- ? treet, near the B., E. & W. railroad and the Den" & it is more completely equipped to handle our ? , and we are now better prepared than ever to Ecient service. X ally invited to visit us and inspect our bottling ? i I f I , I I , V ^hero-Cola Bottling Co. I ' v ? %j x > BAMBERG, S. C. f J?