68 HATCH EXPEKIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



(c) Soy Beans v. Cow Peas. 



Much is being said in the agricultural press concerning 

 the home production of protein, and this division receives 

 frequent inquiries concerning the relative merits of soy 

 beans and cow peas for this purpose. ^ 



During the past season the following varieties of cow 

 peas were tested : Whippoorwill, Black, Extra Early Black 

 and Warren. Althouofh seeded the first of June, thev o^rew 

 but little until late in July, the unusually cool season being 

 decidedly unfavorable to their development. Tlie Whip- 

 poorwill and Black produced a few blossoms early in Sep- 

 tember. The former yielded about 5 and the latter 7 tons 

 of green fodder to the acre. The seed of the Whippoorwill 

 did not come up as well as did the Black. 



The Extra Early Black seeded fully in September, but 

 the growth was not sufficient to warrant its use for green 

 feed. 



The Warren blossomed some, but did not grow to suffi- 

 cient size to be suitable for forage purposes. 



The Whippoorwill and the Black are probably the best 

 suited to northern conditions. 



In comparing the relative merits of the two legumes, it 

 may be said that the stem of the cow pea is softer than that 

 of the soy bean, and that the crop does its best in very warm 

 weather, and is likely to succeed better than the soy bean' 

 upon light, sandy soils, naturally deficient in moisture. 



The medium green soy bean, on the other hand, prefers a 

 medium moist loam, and will yield more dry food material, 

 and especially more seed to the acre at moderate temper- 

 atures, than the cow pea. The cow pea is better suited 

 to southern, and the soy bean to northern conditions, and 

 the latter is regarded as decidedly preferable in New 

 England. 



* This division is giving what is termed the " protein problem " considerable 

 attention. While the growing of soy beans, cow peas and clover will in many 

 cases prove economical, it is believed that the majority of Massachusetts dairy- 

 men will be obliged to purchase at least a portion of tlieir protein in the form 

 of cotton-seed meal, gluten or other nitrogenous meals, and depend upon the 

 farm for the production of the carbohydrates in the form of hay and corn. 



