GROWING SOY BEANS 



375 



499. Growing the Crop. The methods of growing soy 

 beans differ httle from those in use in the cultivation of the 

 cowpea crop. The plants are more often grown in rows and 

 cultivated, as the crop is generally gro^vn for the production 

 of seed as well as forage. The 

 preparation of the soil should be 

 thorough. Little fertiUzation is 

 necessary, for the plants grow w^ell 

 on poor land and are able to ob- 

 tain their supply of nitrogen from 

 the air. Soy beans grow better 

 on sandy or loam soils than on 

 heavy clay. Inoculation with the 

 proper bacteria is necessary for 

 the best success in new districts. 

 The tubercles of the soy bean are 

 large, and they store up consider- 

 able nitrogen in the soil when the 

 plant is grown under proper con- 

 ditions. 



When the crop is to be culti- 

 vated, the rows should be from 

 2H to 3 feet apart. As the plants 

 stand upright, they can be culti- 

 vated longer than cowpeas. Three 



or four cultivations are usually sufficient, though the number 

 depends on the soil and the season. Seed should not be 

 sown till after danger of frost is past. It may be sown up to 

 July 1 in the Central states, and three or four weeks later 

 farther south. The rate of planting varies from 1^ to 2 

 pecks in rows to 4 pecks when sown broadcast. 



500. Harvesting. The methods of harvesting differ 

 but little from those described for the cowpea. The plants 

 should not be allowed to get too dry in the swath, or there 

 will be considerable loss of seed and leaves. As the seed 



Figure 127. — Soy bean plant. 

 Note the nodules on the 

 roots. 



