290 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



But the soy bean has other qualities to commend it for general cul- 

 ture beside its ability to increase soil fertility. It is specially worthy 

 of consideration because of the large amount of valuable food that may 

 be grown on an acre, and especially are its products valuable to stock- 

 men of the corn belt. As is well known, corn is a one-sided food, and 

 and is not adapted to the needs of growing animals, that is, when fed 

 alone. Even for fattening purposes nearly all really successful feeders 

 supplement their corn with the rich commercial meals, especially toward 

 the finishing period. To bring up this side of the ration involves con- 

 siderable outlay so that the production at home of those foods which are 

 rich in flesh forming materials would cheapen meat production. Now 

 the soy bean is almost as rich in flesh forming elements as the commer- 

 cial meals, while at the same time it is palatable to all classes of farm 

 animals, so that the importance of such a crop to the dairyman or to 

 the feeder is at once apparent. It is true that the value of a bean crop 

 depends upon its ability to yield as well as upon the quality of its prod- 

 uct, and this is the very point where its introduction has m'et with the 

 most opposition. It must be remembered that it takes time to acclimate 

 any crop, and as the soy bean is not indigenous to America, we must exer- 

 cise a little patience about its introduction. Southern seed 

 will not mature in the north the first year any more than would corn, 

 but the crop is gradually creeping northward. To a very large extent 

 we have yet to produce varieties that are adapted to our great variety 

 of climatic conditions. Nearly all the experiment stations have suc- 

 ceeded in establishing varieties that are suited to the special set of 

 conditions found in their vicinity. This is forming the nucleus seed 

 supply for the northern and western states. It is no uncommon thing 

 to get a yield of fifteen hundred pounds per acre, and even as high 'as 

 four thousand pounds have been obtained. It is true that the bean crop 

 requires special attention but when it is possible to obtain a yield like 

 the above of such rich products, the expenditure of a little etxtra labor 

 is justifiable. We would not advise anyone to undertake to grow this 

 crop on a large scale the first year, but so far as we are able to look 

 into the future, having in mind what our needs will be, we heartily 

 endorse its introduction. Should our subscribers become interested in 

 the matter and require specific instructions on the subject of preparing 

 soiU seeding or handling of this crop, we shall be pleased to give it 

 our earnest attention. 



SOJA OR SOY BEANS. 



Wallaces' Farmer. 



We are having a number of letters from correspondents in Iowa and 



Illinois as to the best methods of growing soja, or as they are commonly 



known, soy beans. As this crop was first introduced into the west by 



Professor Georgeson, of the Kansas station, whose three years residence 



