Peanut growing on the levee soils of the Gascoyne River

Authors

J A. Lawson, Department of Agriculture

Keywords

Western Australia, Peanut, Peanut growing, Gascoyne River farming

First Page Number

59

Last Page Number

64

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

Records show that in 1920 a number of blocks of land along the Gascoyne River were thrown open for the purpose of commercial peanut production, the main purpose being to establish ex-service settlers on this land. Seed was planted on these blocks but failed to germinate; rumour has it that the nuts had been previously roasted! Ten years later, in 1930, Mr. J. Buzolic, an early settler in the area who had achieved success in growing tomatoes and beans, planted a crop of peanuts from which he claimed reasonably good returns. Thirty-six cornsacks filled with peanuts were shipped to Perth in what is believed to be the first West Australian commercial venture into peanut growing. The prices received for the nuts at that time were such, however, that the crop could not compete favourably with others under irrigation conditions.

Recommended Citation

Lawson, J A. (1954) "Peanut growing on the levee soils of the Gascoyne River," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 3: No. 2, Article 10.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol3/iss2/10