GRASS AND HAY 83 



are numerous it is nearly useless to plant the soy bean unless ther 

 field can be enclosed with rabbit-proof fencing. (F. B. 372.) 



Varieties of Soy Beans. At the present time seven varieties of 

 the soy bean, Mammoth, Hollybrook, Guelph, Ito San, Buckshot, 

 Ogemaw, and Wisconsin Black, are handled by American seedsmen. 

 During recent years more than two hundred additional varieties have 

 been introduced from China, Japan, and India, most of which have 

 already been sufficiently tested to give some idea of their value. 

 Many of the new varieties are so superior in various respects that 

 they are certain to replace all of the above-named varieties except 

 the Mammoth and perhaps the Ito San. 



The matter of variety is of special importance to the soy bean, 

 as many growers have been sorely disappointed in getting a small 

 early variety when they desired a larger and later sort. 



Mammoth (Yellow). The Mammoth variety is the largest 

 growing and latest of the soy bean varieties at present handled by 

 seedsmen. Under average conditions it will grow from 3 to 5 feet 

 high, depending principally on the character of the soil. Ordinarily 

 it requires from 120 to 150 days to mature a crop of seed. The 

 Mammoth yields well in both grain and roughage and is satisfac- 

 tory for both. It is a most exacting variety about depth of planting, 

 and under no circumstances should the seed be planted more than 

 two inches deep. The habit of growth is such that it can readily 

 be harvested. This is a southern variety and will mature far north 

 of Tennessee. 



Hollybrook (Yellow). The Hollybrook variety is about two 

 weeks earlier than the Mammoth and seldom grows to a greater 

 height than 3 feet. It is very coarse and not desirable for hay, but 

 yields large crops of grain. The seed is nearly identical with that 

 of the Mammoth. The lower branches and pods are apt to be very 

 near the ground. It can be grown farther north than the Mammoth, 

 but is not so valuable a variety. 



Ito San (Yellow). The Ito San soy bean has been very com- 

 monly grown, appearing under the names "Yellow," "Early Yellow," 

 "Medium Yellow," and "Early White," as well as "Ito San." The 

 plants are of medium size, averaging about 30 inches in height, with 

 numerous ascending slender branches, so that this variety can be 

 mown very satisfactorily. It has fine stems and makes excellent hay, 

 though the yield is only moderate. It produces seed fairly well and 

 matures in from 95 to 100 days. 



Guelph (Green). The Guelph soy bean has been advertised 

 more than any other variety, appearing with such names as 

 "Medium Green," "Medium Early Green," and "Large Medium 

 Green." It grows about as large as the Hollybrook variety and ma- 

 tures about 10 days later than the Ito San. The leaves drop without 

 changing color when the plant ripens. The plant is very coarse and 

 not satisfactory for hay. 



Buckshot (Black). The Buckshot is a very early variety. It 

 is also called "Early Black," "Extra Early Black," "Medium Early 

 Black," and "Large Black." It seldom grows more than 24 inches 



