272 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



bean root-tubercle bacteria when the plant is first introduced is, 

 therefore, of the highest importance. 



336. Seeding. While more variation in the time of planting 

 is possible, in general, the conditions most favorable to maize 

 are also favorable to soy beans. It is better to plant later than 

 maize rather than earlier. When grown for seed, planting in 

 drill 28 to 36 inches apart as in the case of field beans, using 

 seed enough to obtain about six plants to each foot, is recom- 

 mended. The amount of seed required will depend on the size 

 of the seed and the favorableness of the conditions for germina- 

 tion. Usually about one-third of a bushel will be sufficient. 

 Soy beans require plenty of room for their best development, 

 and should not be planted too thickly for seed. For the produc- 

 tion of hay, they should be planted somewhat more thickly, 

 because they will be cut when less mature. While they may 

 be sown as in the case of wheat and oats, probably the best 

 method is to close every other outlet to the grain drill so that 

 the drill rows will be 14 or 16 inches apart, using two-thirds 

 to one bushel of seed per acre. If sown broadcast, one and a 

 half bushels per acre will be required. In the southern states, 

 soy beans may be sown, as is common with cowpeas, between 

 the rows of maize at the last cultivation. In the northern 

 states farmers occasionally plant soy beans in the same hill 

 and at the same time with maize intended for silage. Without 

 reducing the number of grains of maize per hill, it is customary 

 to add six to ten soy beans. A hand planter with two 

 hoppers has been made so as to drop maize and soy beans in 

 the same hole. 



337. Cultivation. Under favorable conditions, soy beans 

 come up quickly and grow rapidly, soon shading the ground 

 and making but few cultivations necessary, assuming them to 

 have been planted far enough apart to cultivate. When the 

 beans first appear above ground, the young plants are tender 



