It is rather tropical in its character, and cannot be cultivated with success either in the Northern or Middle States.
"The seeds are sometimes dibbled in rows, so as to leave the plants a foot apart each way. As soon as the flowers appear, the vines are earthed up from time to time, so as to keep them chiefly within the ground. When cultivated alone, and there is sufficient moisture, the yield of nuts is from sixty to seventy-five bushels to the acre. If allowed to grow without earthing up, the vines will yield half a ton of hay to the acre. They are killed by the first frost; when the nuts will be mature, and ready for use."
Varieties.—
African Pea-Nut.
A comparatively small, smooth, and regularly formed sort. Shell thin, usually enclosing two kernels.
Wilmington Pea-Nut.
Carolina.
Similar to the African. The pods, however, are longer, and the shell is thicker and paler. They rarely contain less than two, and often enclose three, kernels. Extensively cultivated in the Carolinas and Gulf States.
Tennessee Pea-Nut.
Pods large, thick, and irregular in form; the reticulations very coarse and deep. The pods usually contain two kernels. Less esteemed than either of the preceding varieties.