The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-05-29

prepared by the U. 8. Department of Ag-
riculture)
AS hay, as pasture plant, as en-
silage with corn, as a green manure
crop, and as a human food-in all
these ways the soy bean is valuable
to the southern farmer. In general it
may be said that it will succeed in the
United States wherever corn or cot
ton is cultivated, but 1t is especially
adapted to the cotton belt where the
later and larger varieties, which give
yields that make their exteh5lvs cul-
tivation profitable, can be grown. No
special labor or machinery is neces-
sary and the ordinary farm equipment
will meet all the requirements Of thu
crop. The high yield of seed, the ex-
cellent quality of its forage. he ease
of growing and harvesting t., and its
freedom from insect enemies and
plant diseases, should all encourage
its planting.
The soy bean is an erect, rather
hairy leguminous plant which resem-
bles somewhat the common field or
navy bean. 1t is also called the sofa
bean and the Manchurian bean and in
China and Japan is grown extensively
for human food as well as for forage
and green manure. AS an article OF
human food its use should increase
in this country also, for it can be util-
lied in many different ways. Excel
lent results have likewise been OBJ
tanned when the seed or meal has
been substituted in the feeding ration
for cottonseed or oil meal.
The soil requirements of soy beans
are quite similar to those of corn. but
the plants will make a satisfactory
growth on poorer soil than corn. The
best results, perhaps, are obtained on
medium loans, although clay and
sandy soils may be made to produce
good crops. The soy bean does not
require well-drained soil, although
soil where water stands for a consid-
cradle length of time Is not desirable.
1t is able to withstand a greater
amount of moisture, however. than
either cowpeas or corn. The soy bean
is also decidedly drought resistant;
much more so than the cowpea.
Soil Preparation.
Soy beans succeed best on a thor
oughly prepared soil. The land should
be plowed early and deep, fitted, and
then narrowed at intervals until. the
beans are planted. The young plants
Of soy beans are not able to push
their way through a hard crust as are
corn and cowpeas. Thus, to insure a
good stand, the seed should have a
light covering Of loose, mellow soil
The use Of commercial fertilizers
IL recommended where sandy soil pre-
dominates or the soil is of low fertil-
ity. Where fertilizers are used good
results have been obtained by using
dressing Of stable manure or 200 to
300 pounds Of acid phosphate and 100
pounds Of muriate of potash. In u.s.
ing the commercial fertilizer 1t is we'll
to apply broadcast before the beans
are planted. Lime has been found
almost invariably to increase the
yield.
incubation.
soy beans, like other legumes,
when well inoculated add much nitro
gen to the soil. Natural incubation
now occurs quite generally through
out the soy bean region in the south
ern United States. In localities where
the crop has not been previously
grown. however, It is advisable to in.
oculate. incubation may be most
certainly secured by applying soil
from an old soy bean field, using 800
to 500 pounds Of soil to the acre, or
hy busting the seed with such soil
before sowing
Seeding and Cultivation.
Soy beans may be sown at any
time after danger of severe frosts is
over, ranging from early spring until
In the cotton region
two crops Of the early and medium
early varieties can be grown in a sim
e!e season by planting the first early.
As a rule, however. the late varieties
are preferable in the South and should
be planted about the same time as
corn.
Soy beans are grown either in cul-
tfvated rows or broadcasted, depending
on the purpose for which they are
grown. The row method is prefer.
able in weedy land and usually gives
larger yields Of hay and practically
always of seed. The general practice
for seed production is the row meth.
cd, 80 to 4S inches apart. For hay,