Peanut
the pod of the Arachis hypogæa. The plant is an annual of diffuse habit, with hairy stem, with two paired, abruptly pinnate leaflets. The flowers above ground are sterile, and the pods or legumes are stalked, oblong, cylindrical, and about one inch in length.
After the flower withers, the stalk of the ovary has the peculiarity of elongating and bending down, forcing the young pod under ground, and thus the seeds become matured at some distance below the surface. As to the native country of the peanut the opinions of botanists are divided between Africa and America. It is extensively cultivated in all tropical and subtropical countries, especially in PEANUT OIL PEARL America, Africa, India, the Malayan Gen. Earl Van Dorn, and a series of Archipelago, and China. The plant affects a light sandy soil, and is very prolific. The pods when ripe are dug up and dried. When roasted they are sweet and palatable. Vast quantities are used in confectionery and the manufacture of peanut butter. The nuts yield an excellent substitute for olive oil. Before the World War the world production of peanuts was over 600,000,000 pounds, of which the United States contributed 5 per cent.
PEANUT OIL. Arachis Oil. A pale yellow oil with the characteristic odor and flavor of peanuts. Specific gravity 0.919. Soluble in all common oil solvents. Obtained by pressing peanuts, either with or without the application of heat. Pressing usually takes place in three stages, first in the cold, when the choicest oil is ob obtained, then at a temperature of about 30° C., when a lower grade oil is produced, and finally, at a temperature of 55° C., the product being a dark colored oil used in soap manufacture. The better grades of oil are deodorized by treatment with live steam, and bleached with fuller's earth or bon. Refined peanut oil is largely used as a salad oil and for culinary purposes.