The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-04-30
Sow Bean Culture
New Forage Crop of Interest to Dairymen.

The following article should In
terest dairy men. There never mas
been any doubt as to the extreme
value of the soy bean and this Is
splendid country to make use OF
their prolific growth:
Although soy beans have been
cultivated in 4 sia and Japan since
ancient times as a forage crop, they
have only recently become of 1n-
creasing Importance. From recent
state agricultural experiments it Is
clear that their region of maximum
Importance will be in regions where
alfalfa cannot be grown successfully
Different varieties of soy beans can
be successfully. grown from Ontario
to the extreme southern part OF the
United States. Soy beans compete
principally with cOwpeas, but since
cultivation is usually required they
fill a somewhat different agricultur-
al need. AS a hay, soy beans cannot
successfully compete with clover or
alfsfa in quantity. but it is superior
In quality owing to the richness OF
the beans. Some Of the early
varieties yield from 20 to 25 bus. oi
beans per acre. Where such yields
can be secured 1t Is valuable crop
for the beans. Generally speakin 8
the soy beans require the
same climate and conditions as corn.
Ii is perhaps better adapted TO the
southern part of the belt than The
northern. They are especially we'll
adapted to the cotton belt and
h1v ut r,f he.
early small varieties do better i'll
the North while the larger. heavier
producing varieties do better in the
south.
Soy beans require much the same
kind of land as corn. They will not
make nearly so good a growth on
very poor land as cowpeas. They
thrive best in fertile loans or clay
and make a large plant growth but
small yield of seed, while on
poorer soils smaller plants are pro-
duced with a larger yield of seed.
The soy bean is a very valuable
plant to grow on poorly drained soil,
they will withstand greater amount
of moisture than eihter corn or cow
peas. They even make excellent
eastern North Carolina Soy beans
are also decidedly drought resistant,
much more so than cowpeas, ana
would doubtless be a very valua Bile
crop in the semi-arid West.
The choice of variety is importa mt
in SOY beans, as there is Il very wide
variation in the different varieties.
The farmer must know the kind OF
variety he wishes to grow and ihe
suitability of his land for different
kinds. In buying be sure 10 specify
the variety desired. For the benefit
of contemplative buyers ] will name
), few of the best varieties with their
description and adapta bilily.
Mammoth (Yellow). This variety
is The largest growing and latest of
the soy beans. Under average con-
ditions it will grow from 3 10 IT.
high, depending on the soil. 1t
requires from 120 TO $50 days 10
mature a crop of its beans. 1t is a
heavy producer but cannot be sue
cessfully grown above the southern
part of India.
1t San (Yellowl. The plants
are of about medium size, averagin 9
80 inches in height, with numerous
ascending branches so-that 1t can be
mown very successfully. 1t makes
excellent hay, although the yield Is
only moderate. 1t natures in from
s5 TO 100 days and can be very sue
cessfully grown after a rye or oats
crop. II will mature as far north
as central Wisconsin.
Wilson (Black). This is a tall
variety, from 3 to 1T. high, with
erect branches and is easily
harvested. 1t is heavy grain
yielder and excellent for hay. 1t is
very valuable in such states as ONO,
Indiana. Illinois and Wisconsin.
Good preparation of the soil is
necessary and should consist of deep
blowing and subsequent working
with a disk and harrow until firm
seedbed, with the upper OF 3 in.
of the bed loose and mellow, is Sc
cured. The crop should be grown
in rows and sufficient cultivation
given it TO keep down the weeds.
Where the soil is comparatively
clean of weeds the seed may be
broadcasted or drilled in, with the
idea of using them for hay. When
planted in rows the aim should be
10 get the plants or 3 inches a
part in the row and tie rows from
2S to SO inches apart for cultiva-
ton. A bushel should plant from
? to 3 acres iff planted III rows. For
broa dcasting one and one-half bush
els is recommended The seed
should not be planted more than l
10 2 inches deep, as poor stands re-
suit from deep planting. Soy beans
can be planted any time from early
spring to midsummer. depending a
great deal on the variety and sea-
son. About June lst is the ideal
time for planting They can be cul-
tiyated with the same instrument 5
and in much the same way as corn.
incubation of bacteria for soy
beans is essential. especially in some
localities where clover and alfalfa
do not thrive. incubation of new
field may be accomplished by the
transferring of dirt from an in
oculated plot, or by the use of pure
cultures prepared by the Depart
ment of Agriculture. If the soil
transfer method is used, for each
acre TO be inoculated 200 to 800 lbs