Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-01-29
ABOUT The SOY Bean


Belt.
GOOD FOR STOCK and FOR Man
Interesting Article Prepared by w. j..
Morse, Scientific Assistant. Forage
Crop Investigations, Bureau Of Plant
Industries-A Crop That Has Been
Raised in This State With Success;
But Might Progress Much More.
Introduction.
The soy bean, also called the sofa
bean and the Manchurian bean. Is an
erect, rather hairy. leguminous plant,
resembling somewhat the common
field or navy bean. In China and ia
pan this bean is grown extensively,
being used for human food, for for
age, and as green manure. The soy
bean is a valuable crop in various
ways, and for certain conditions has
many points of superiority over the
cowpea that should recommend 1t to
the average farmer. One of its most
common uses is for hay, which Is
comparable to alfalfa and red clover
in feeding value. AS a pasture plant,
the soy bean Is especially valuable for
hogs. It also makes an excellent en-
silage crop with corn. The soy bean
can be used to advantage for green
manure, greatly increasing the sup
ply Of humus and nitrogen in the
soil. The use of the seed or meal
as a substitute for cottonseed or oil
meal in the feeding ration has given
excellent results. AS human food
the soy bean should find increased
favor, as it can be used in many diff
ferent ways. In the growing and
handling Of the soy bean, special la
Dor and machinery are not necessary,
the ordinary farm equipment meeting
all the requirements of the crop. The
growing and harvesting 1t, and Its
freedom from insect enemies and
plant diseases should encourage the
planting Of this crop.
Adaptations.
The soy bean has wide adaptation
as regards soil and climatic condi-
tiOns. In general, the northern limit
of it's adaptation in the United States
may be said to be that Of corn and
the southern limit that Of cotton. In
other words 1t will succeed in the
United States wherever corn or cot
ton are cultivated. 1t is especially
adapted to the cotton belt, where the
later and larger varieties, which give
yields that make their extensive cul-
tivation profitable, can be grown.
Rabbits are exceedingly fond Of the
soy bean and often cause damage to
small areas.
The soil requirements Of the soy
beans are quite similar to those Of corn,
but the plants will make a satisfac-
tory growth on poorer soil than corn.
The best results, perhaps, are obtain
ed on medium loans, although clay
and sandy soils mar made to pro-
duce good crops. y soy bean does
not require a well aimed soil, al
though soil where water stands for
a considerable 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 re-
sistant; much more so than the cow
pea.
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 in
sure a good stand. the seed should
have a light covering of loose. mel
low soil.
Fertilizers.
The use of commercial fertilizers
Is recommended where sandy soil
predominates or the soil is Of low
fertility. 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 using the commercial fertilizer it
Is we'll to apply broadcast before the
beans are planted. Lime has beer
found almost invariably to increase
the yield.
incubation.
Soy beans, like other legumes, when
we'll inoculated add much nitrogen to
the soil. Natural inoculation now oc-
ours quite generally throughout the
soy bean region in the southern Unit
ed States. In localities where the crop
has not been previously grown, how
ever. it is advisable to inoculate. In
oculation may be most certainly Sc
cured by applying soil from an old
soy bean field, using 800 to 500
pounds of soil to the acre, or by dust
ing 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 mid
summer. In the cotton region two
crops of the early and medium early
varieties can be grown in a single
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-
tivated rows or brOadcasted. depend
ing on the purpose for which they
are grown. The row method is pre-
ferable in weedy land and usually
gives larger yields Of hay and prac-
tically always seed. The general prac-
tice for seed production is the row
method. 80 to IS inches apart. For
hay. soiling, or green manure. a drill
ed or broadcasted crop furnishes
finer quality of forage. In rows. from