Oct. 2, 1908.] 



Jc/ricultural Gazette of N.S.Jr. 811 



The following statement of the analyses of cowpea hay and lucerne hay 

 shows their resjiective merits for stock feed : — 



Lucerne Hay 

 Cowpea Hay 



Moisture. 



per cent. 



6-95 



10-29 



Protein. 



Fat. 



per cent. 

 16-48 

 19 •7-2 



per cent. 

 •2-0-2 

 4 04 



Carbo-hydrates. 



per cent. 

 42H'2 

 45-15 



Ash. 



per cent. 

 7-49 

 9-10 



Soy or Soja Bean. 



This plant comes from Japan, and of late years has attracted attention as 

 an annual leguminous plant which produces the richest of all bean^* in protein 

 and fat. It closely resemb'es the cowpea, is of bush form, erect, hairy, 

 branching freely and growing to a height of 2 to 5 feet. 



The seed pods are clustered on the main stems nnd branches, are 1 to 2 inches 

 long, and contain from one to three seeds or beans. 



They give a greater yield of beans than cowpeas. They are not trailing in 

 habit, hence are more easily harvested. They mature early, but last longer 

 than cowpeas, and afford a longer season for pigs to feed on them. Either 

 tlie green forage, hay, or beans should be associated with other fo(jds owing 

 to their richness. In feeding the bean it should not be more than one-tifth 

 of the total ration. As high as 10 bushels of beans to the acre have been 

 harvested here. These are classified as t\'e ri'hest of all natural vegetable 

 foods, and should bn uswl to strengthen the ration in protein. Wi'h their aid 

 pigs can then be fed with potatot^s, maize, barley, rye, or other starcliy foods. 

 As a green forage crop thf-y are Inghl}' appreciated by pigs, and afford a more 

 nutritious diet even than cowpeas. The plant can be converted into hay in 

 a similar way to that of cowpeas. 



As silage it has been found most successful when mixed with twice its 

 weight of green maize. 



The Soy bean recjuires a good loamy soil well drained, althougli like the 

 cowpea it is adapted to a wide range of soils. 



A deep, firm, wt-ll-ti led, moist seed-'ed is required here. It should be 

 ploughed to a good depth about the end of July or beginning of August and 

 worked (harrowed and rolled) to a fine tilth. Should fertilisers he required, 

 use that recommended for cowpeas. The seed should be sown when all 

 chances of frost are over ; as a rule the beginning of October is best when 

 some warmth is in the soil. 



Sow in drills 2 ft. 6 in. to 3 feet apart. One plant should be permitted to 

 grow every 6 inches. From 8 to 10 lb. of seed per acre is needed. Shallow 

 cultivation should follow until the plants are well grown. The quickly 

 maturing plant and pods ripen in from seventy-five to ninety -five days. It 

 is a good drouglit resister. 



As a food for pigs, either as beans, green forage, or hay, it has a high 

 reputation. The animals fatten quickly, are always thrifty, with strong 

 appetites ; the hair and skin acquire a glossy look, and the skin feels as if 

 they Avere fed on oil meals. 



