The next day the boys went to town and visited the peanut factory.
The nuts were first put through a machine which removed the dirt. They were then polished and sorted into four grades. The poorest grade is used in making peanut candy. The nuts were then sacked, and were ready to be shipped to the North.
Harry learned that an oil is made from the nuts which is used as olive oil is used, and also that peanut butter is produced from them. He found that many men were employed on plantations all through Virginia and other states of the South, in raising the peanuts that are sold on the streets of every city and town in our country.
ASSORTED NUTS
After the Thanksgiving dinner had been eaten, the nuts were passed, and the children asked Uncle John to tell them something about a few of them.
"All right," said he. "You pick out the ones that you want to know about."
Frank handed him an almond.
"This nut," said Uncle John, "came from sunny Spain. It grew not far from the blue Mediterranean. Almonds are raised in most parts of southern Europe and in the northern part of Africa. Ages ago they grew in the Holy Land, and are mentioned in the Bible."