The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-06-13
Soy Bean Hay Is
Gaining in Favor
Big Increase Noted in Acre
age and Production
Gain in Yield.

(PfepaTed Dy the Un1teui Othtcs DSR"A -N-,~-
of Agriculture.)
The soy bean is getting more at
tention every year as hay crop, says
the United States Department OF
Agriculture. Just how fast this use
Of the crop is increasing Is shown
by figures on production for the years
1922 and 1923. In nineteen states for
which the figures are available. the
total acreage devoted to soy bean hay
was $4,000 and by 1928 It had in
creased to 100000 Total production
in 1922 was $4,000 tons while in the
succeeding year it was 1,155,OO0 tons.
Not only was there an increase in the
total production but in the yield per
acre, the increase being from 1.39 to
Las tons per acre.
Growth of Crop for Hay.
Alabama was the only state in which
there was decrease. In the other
eighteen the crop either held its own
or increased. A number of states in
the Middle West show the greatest
growth of this crop for hay purposes,
but there are other states in various
sections where it is an important
feeding factor. In Illinois during the
two years in question the acreage In
creased from 10000 to $4,000; in
Indiana from 10000 to $4,000; in
Missouri from $4,000 to $4,000; in
Iowa from 1000 to 10000; in Ohio
from 10000 to $4,000, and in Wiscon-
sin from 11,00O to $4,000. North
Carolina increased its acreage from
$4,000 to 10000; Tennessee from 125.-
600 to 10000; Kentucky produced SS,-
600 both years.
That the crop is grown for hay in
the East as we'll as in the Middle
West and South is shown by figures
for Maryland which increased its
acreage from 10000 to $4,000; vir-
ginia which increased from 10000 to
$4,000; West Virginia which grew s.
600 both years; and Delaware which
grew 5000 acres in both seasons. ,
The figures compiled by the depart
ment for the last two crops seem to
show that slightly better yields Of
soy beans have been obtained in the
eastern states. In 1922 the average
for Maryland was two tons and for
1923 TX tons to the acre. For Della
ware it was 1.75 and IA for these
years. In Virginia the average was
1.S for both years and West Virginia
IL. The average for the country for
both years was under TX tons, the
lowest yields being in Georgia and
South Carolina.
Soy bean hay, If cut at the right
time, is of high feeding value and ap-
petizing to all kinds of live stock. It
is high in protein and takes the place
Of considerable quantity Of high
priced concentrate. Another excellent
| feature Of the crop is that it may be
| sown in an emergency when some
other hay crop has failed to winter
well. It can be cut any time from
h the setting of the seed until the leaves
| begin to turn yellow, but the maxi
mum returns can be made by cutting
it at time when the pods are well
formed. Perhaps better quality of
hay will be produced by earlier cut
ting but the yield will not be so great.
Late cutting produces hay too fibr-
GUS to be the best kind of feed.
Easy to Cure Beans.
Those who have made cowpea hay
will find that 1t is considerably easier
to cure soy beans. Cutting may ee-
gin in the morning as soon as the
dew is off and continued the rest of
the day. One Of the important things
to remember is that hay should be
raked up after the leaves have be-
come wilted but before they are dry,
| otherwise many Of them will break off
and there will be heavy loss Of one
of the most valuable parts Of the
crop. The hay may be left in wind
rows for a day or so. if the weather
| is suitable, and then placed in small
| cocks or punches. For making good
| soy bean hay about or 6 days of
| good curing weather Is sufficient. This
length of time is necessary because
| practically all Of the curing is done
in the cock. which If well constructed
will prevent damage by rain and snow.
When weather conditions are unfavor-
able many farmers use frames on
which to pile the freshly cut hay so
that extra good ventilation Is pro-
vided The frames are usually 8 or
4-sided pyramids made Of boards or
poles, 3 to 6 feet long, fastened to-
gether at the top and held at the bot
tom by cross pieces. When such
frames are used 1t is possible to pile
the hay on them Immediately after it
is cut and produce good quality of
feed. .