Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1917-03-30
SOY BEANS CAN Be
MADE TO SERVE
MANY PURPOSES
This Legume Especially
Adapted to Sections Grow
ing Corn and Cotton.

y
over the cowpea, say specialists in
the United States department of agri-
culture, and the average farmer will
be we'll advised to give this crop his
serious attention. 1t can be put to a
wide variety of uses and it can be
grown wherever corn or cotton is cul-
tivated. For these reasons, it seems
certain that it will become a far more
important crop in the United States
than it has been in the past. Its
greatest development, however, should
take place in the cotton belt where
the later and larger varieties which
give yields that make their extensive
cultivation profitable can be grown.
From an agricultural point of view,
soy beans may be regarded as a for
age crop, as pasture, as a soil reno
vator, or as ensilage AS cash crop,
the value Of the seed is sufficient to
encourage the production of soy
beans, and it is quite possible that
the demand will be much greater in
the future. Soy bean seeds contain
a valuable vegetable oil, the consump-
ton of all varieties of which in this
country is steadily increasing. Fur
thermore, soy beans have long been
one of the principal articles of hu-
man food in the Far East, and a
greater familiarity with the many
ways in which they may be utilized
for this purpose should increase the
demand in this country.
The soil requirements of soy beans
are similar to those of corn, but the
plant will make a satisfactory growth
on poor soil. The best results per-
haps are obtained on medium loans.
A well-drained soil is not essential,
though water should not stand on the
land for any considerable length Of
time. The soy bean, however, can
withstand a greater amount Of mois-
ture than either cowpeas or corn. On
the other hand, it is much more
ought-resistant than the cowpea.
Where the soil is of low fertility, or
sand predominates, good results have
been obtained from the use of COM
mercial fertilizer. Lime almost in
variably increases the yield.
Sow at Corn Planting.
The beans may be sown at any
time after danger Of severe frosts is
over, but in the South, as rule, it
is preferable to SOW late varieties
about the same time as corn An ordi-
nary grain drill, cotton planter, or
corn planter can be used satisfactorily
in planting large areas. The general
practice for seed production is the
row method, 80 to 49 inches apart.
drilled or broadcasted crop is custo-
weedy. Broadcasting requires from
60 to 80 pounds of seed per acre, and
sowing in rows from 20 to 80 pounds.
At least three civilizations should be
given the crop.
AS a forage crop, soy beans are
chiefly remarkable for the high con-
tent of digestible protein in the hay,
which is comparable in feeding value
to alfalfa and red clover hay. In
many cases, however, it is perhaps
more profitable to use the crop as
pasture for hogs in combination with
a ration of corn. Soy beans and corn
may be grown together or the soy
beans may be sown broadcast at the
last cultivation of the corn. By plant
ing at different times or by planting
different varieties, the grazing may
be extended over a considerable pc
Rod. The refuse vines and the ma
nure resulting from grazing add
greatly to the fertility of the soil.
When grown for cnsilage, soy beans
are generally combined with corn.
Good results are secured from a mix
ture of two or three parts of corn and
one part of soy beans. Sorghum is
also grown with the beans both for
hay and for ensilage, and combina
ton of soy beans and cowpeas makes
very satisfactory hay.
As seed crop, soy beans hitherto
have not been grown extensively ex-
cept in a few sections. They produce
more seed to the acre, however, than
cowpeas, and yield Of from 20 to 30
bushels should be expected from the
best varieties. The cost is generally
about the same as for corn, but, in
computing the profits, not only the
value of the seed but the benefit
to the land in which the beans have
been grown and the thrashed vines
as a source of feed must be cOnsid-
cred.
Good as Human Food.
In feeding value, the soy bean COM
pares favorably with linseed and cot
ton seed meal and it is usually COM
DneQ Win some 1855 COHCcHVIo VOu AcS"'
For milk and for butter production
soy bean meal is regarded as superior
to cotton seed. .,
AS human food, the soy bean is still
comparatively unknown in this coun-
try. There are many ways, however
in which it can be utilized. The bean
is remarkable for the small quantity
of starch it contains, and this fac1
makes it desirable for many persons
who are required to avoid starch. The
dry beans may be used in baking or IN
SOUP much like the ordinary field or
navy bean, although they, require
somewhat long soaking and cooking.
when from thr ee-fourthst full grown
the SOW bean compares favorably with
the butter or Lima bean. Soy bean
meal. or flour, may also be used in
any recipe which calls for corn mea' /;
A combination that has been found
satisfactory is one-four'h or one-thlrd
SOW bean flour and the remainder
wheat flour. c.4o.
A new circular of the United States
department of agriculture calls at,
tention to. these and similar facts and
names a number of the varieties which
are best suited for the various pur-
1900 fo,. which the crOD is likely tC