EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 553 



two pecks of the smaller-sized seed being sufficient, while three pecks 

 are necessary of the larger seeded varieties. 



When sown with a grain drill and all cups are open, it will require from 

 five to seven pecks of seed for one acre. When broad-casted, at least two 

 bushels of seed should be used. This practice is not economical on ac- 

 count of the excessive amount of seed required. When planted with 

 corn for ensilage four or five quarts of soy bean seed per acre together 

 with the usual amount of corn is sufficient. Larger amounts of soy 

 beans may decrease materially the jdeld of corn. 



LIMB. 



Soy beans are not as sensitive to an acid or sour soil as alfalfa, sweet 

 clover or red clover. Tliis fact makes the soy beans a useful crop on 

 the light soils. These soils are usually deficient in organic matter and 

 nitrogen, and the growth of a legume makes it possible to secure larger 

 yields of other crops. Consequently, when it is not practical to lime, 

 soy beans may be used. When the soil is very deficient in lime an ap- 

 plication of two tons of ground limestone or several cubic yards of marl 

 per acre usually gives an increased yield of soy beans and makes possi- 

 ble the growth of other leguminous crops. 



PHOSPHATE. 



Soy beans can be expected to give the same return from the use of acid 

 phosphate or a fertilizer high in phosphorus as field beans. An early 

 and more evenly maturing crop and heavier yielding crop wall result 

 from proper fertilization. An application of from 200 to 250 pounds 

 of acid phosphate or mixed fertilizer high in phosphorus is recommended. 

 This application should be made at time of planting, through the fer- 

 tilizer attachment on the drill or applied broad-cast in fitting the seed 

 bed. The latter method is advised when soy beans are planted in rows 

 and cultivated. 



HARVESTING. 



When grown for hay, soy beans should be harvested between pod forma- 

 tion and full development of the seed, and before the leaves have turned 

 yellow and dropped ofl". If cut earlier than this, the yield of hay will be 

 reduced and much more difficult to cure and if cut later, the stems be- 

 come quite woody, the leaves drop ofl: and the quality of the hay secured 

 is much inferior. 



Soy bean hay is cured in much the same w^ay as a heavy crop of clover 

 or alfalfa hay. It should be cut when the dew is off, and if the weather 

 is favorable, raked into windroAvs the next day, and the third day put 

 into small cocks where it is allowed to stand until well cured out and 

 safe to store. 



Seed. When desired for seed, harvesting should begin when a majority 

 of the pods have reached maturity. Either the mowing machine or 

 grain binder may be used. The soy beans should preferably be handled 

 during the early morning while the dew is on to prevent shattering. The 

 use of the bean harvester has not generally given satisfaction, but if 

 blades are left very sharp it may be used with good results. When cut 



