W00DH0USE AND TAYLOR. 13^ 



varies. These facts make it seem probable that the Darjeeling 

 varieties were originally obtained from China through Tibet, and 

 have spread thence into the plains, where only these types best 

 adapted to the plains have survived. 



Shaw (10) states that in China "the further north they 

 extend the better in quality do the beans become." Our observa- 

 tions show that the seed of a variety cultivated in the Himalayas 

 is heavier than the seed of the same variety cultivated in the 

 plains It is probable therefore that soy beans find more suitable 

 conditions in the hills than the plains, and this would account for 

 their having spread outwards for a short distance only from the foot 

 of the hills. We cannot therefore expect to obtain much success 

 in acclimatizing soy beans, except along the foot of the Himalaj^as 

 and our greatest chance of introducing the crop successfully will be 

 in the Himalayas. 



6. CULTIVATION. 



In the plains soy beans can be grown alone or with maize, 

 or cotton. They will grow satisfactorily on high lands and do 

 not necessarily require manure. The land should receive some 

 3 or 4 ploughings and should be clean and in good tilth. 

 The seed may be sown broadcast at the rate of 10 seers or 

 in drills two to three feet apart according to variety at 6 seers 

 per acre from the break of the monsoon to the end of July, 

 though a smaller crop could be obtained from seed sown up till 

 the middle of September. Shaw (10) states that in China the 

 seed is sown by hand on top of drills and covered by hand. The 

 crop is benefited by one or two hoeings in July and August, but 

 after that will require no further treatment until harvest, though 

 a hoeing in September after the close of monsoon is useful to 

 conserve the moisture. It is probable that the crop could also 

 be sown broadcast at a slightly greater seed rate in September 

 on Kulihi and Kalai lands to take the place of these crops. The 

 late varieties (Types I — IV) flower in October and their yield will 

 be considerably decreased if the land dries before that time. The 

 plants will be ready for harvest after the middle of December 

 and should be harvested before they are fully ripe as the 



