82 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



able seasons, a second cutting may be secured, it will be short, either 

 for seed or for hay, and should continued dry weather follow such 

 early cutting, the stand may be seriously damaged. It is not im- 

 probable that with a better understanding of the plant we will make 

 two cuttings per season, when the most favorable conditions of 

 growth prevail. 



Lespedeza matures for the harvest in September and October, 

 when there is generally fine hay-making weather. 



It cures very quickly, since the stems are very small and contain 

 a low per cent of water. Probably no other hay plant is so easily and 

 quickly cured. 



The climate of Louisiana seems to specially favor the growing of 

 lespedeza. When the seed is sown in February or March, nature 

 usually supplies adequate moisture to insure germination. Being 

 sown on oats as a nurse crop, the delicate plant is protected from the 

 severe frosts that sometimes visit us in early spring. During spring 

 and summer, the warm sun and occasional rains do much to hasten 

 the growth, and then comes the fall, with pleasant, clear, dry weather 

 in which to gather the crop. 



The adaptability of soils to lespedeza-growing is shown most 

 beautifully by the vast amount that grows voluntarily from year 

 to year. Anywhere, on the roadside, in the fence corner and even 

 on the hardest, driest hills, the little plant shows itself, and very 

 often under adverse conditions makes a wonderful growth. Probably, 

 however, the lighter soils are best adapted to its growth. In them there 

 does not seem that tendency to excessive growth of strong grasses and 

 obnoxious weeds that is seen in the heavier black clayey soils and 

 river bottom lands. 



Lespedeza, like other legumes, cannot stand too much water, and 

 while the fields should be well leveled and smoothed for the binder 

 and mower, the drainage of the land should be perfect, and no low 

 places that will accumulate water should be in the fields. (Louisi- 

 ana Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 130, 1911; Farmers' Bulletin 455; Del, 

 B's 67 and 86; Mo. Cir. 42; Iowa B. 88; Cornell B. 294; La. B. 

 130; Nev. B. 47; N. D. B. 65; Ohio B. 142; Geneva, N. Y., B. 270. 

 Also some of those already quoted.) 



THE SOY BEAN.* 



The soy bean, also called the "soja bean," as a forage crop, has 

 become of importance in the United States, especially southward. It 

 has been tested at most of the State Agricultural Experiment Sta- 

 tions and it appears that its region of maximum importance will be 

 a little south of the red-clover area and in sections where alfalfa will 

 not do so well. Generally speaking, the soy bean requires about the 

 same temperature as corn. The soil requirements are much the 

 same. The bean will make a satisfactory growth on poorer soil than 

 corn, provided inoculation is present, but will not do so well on poor 

 soil as cowpeas. The soy bean requires a well-drained soil for its 

 best development. It is also decidedly drought resistant, and but for 

 the depredations of rabbits would be a valuable crop in the semi-arid 

 West. Rabbits are exceedingly fond of the foliage, and where they 



For illustrations, Bee pages 627 and 645. 



