The Bulletin. 49 



to stick to it until they are convinced that a better plan is proposed. 

 Then they can adopt the better plan. 



The writer has been curing pea vine hay for twenty-five years and 

 sticks to the plan he has been successful with all these years. His plan 

 is that of using short stack poles about ten feet long. Set them in the 

 ground some eighteen inches deep, or enough so the wind will not blow 

 them over. Nail two cross-pieces about five feet long at right angles 

 to each other, about ten or twelve inches above ground so as to prevent 

 the vines from lying on the ground. The vines are cut after the dew 

 is well dried off and let lie until the following evening, if the weather 

 will permit, then rake into good-size windrows before the vines become 

 damp from dew and let them remain there until the following day, 

 when they are carried to the stack with the hay rake, which is a rapid 

 process. The vines are placed around the stack pole and on the cross- 

 arms, without tramping, until about three feet high. Then nail on one 

 cross-arm and pile on vines until about three feet more are on. Then 

 nail on another cross-arm at right angles to the last one nailed on and 

 continue this until the stack is finished. I like to have the top of the 

 stack pole pointed and a large forkful of vines placed on this and 

 arranged around the stack umbrella-like so as to prevent water from 

 running down the pole. When well cured and it is convenient to do so, 

 we bale the hay and store it in the barn. We use pine poles and by 

 skinning them when first cut and taking them up and stacking away 

 as soon as the hay is taken from them, we find they will last several 

 seasons. 



For more detailed information about cow peas, their fertilization, 

 cultivation, varieties, etc., see June, 1910, Bulletin No. 6, issued by the 

 North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Baleigh, N. C. 



Soy Beans. 



The soy bean, also known as Japan pea and Soja bean, is another of 

 the good things that have come to us from Asia. The writer first grew 

 it in 1S72. It was then known as Japan pea. But its real worth and 

 value have not been appreciated by us until within the last few years. 

 The high price of cow peas has given the soy bean an introduction in 

 many counties of the State where it was hitherto unknown. It is an ex- 

 ceedingly valuable acquisition to our hay and forage crops. It also 

 yields large crops of beans in the black soils of the eastern part pf the 

 State. I have had farmers tell me they could make as many as 35 to 40 

 bushels of beans per acre. Of course those are exceptional yields, but 

 it shows the possibilities of the soy bean. It makes hay of the finest 

 and most nutritious quality. In fact it has a higher feeding value 

 than cow pea hay, which is saying a good deal for it. As a forage 

 crop, especially for hogs, it is exceptionally fine. For best results the 

 hogs should be turned on them about the time the bean in the pod has 

 reached its full size, and before it begins to harden, while the leaves are 

 still green. The hogs will first eat the leaves, then the remainder of 

 the plant until there is only the hard stalk left. 



