138 FORAGE CROPS. 



quickly as hay, however much the vines may trail 

 along the ground. 



THE SOY BEAN. 



The soy bean (Glycine hispida) was probably 

 introduced into the United States from Japan more 

 than twenty years ago. Like cowpeas, it may be 

 grown for the grain, for soiling food, for ensilage, 

 for pasture and for green manuring. Its greatest 

 value, however, will probably be found in furnish- 

 ing soiling food for dairy cows, as it is in the proper 

 condition for being thus fed at that season of 

 the year when but few plants are available for 

 such a use ; that is to say, during the latter part 

 of summer. 



The soy bean, like the cowpea, is a hot weather 

 plant, but it would seem to be able to stand more 

 drouth than the former. It has much adaptation, 

 therefore, for localities that are both warm and dry. 

 When once well rooted, hot winds that would wilt 

 and wither many other forms of vegetation will not 

 seriously injure the soy bean. 



Some authorities claim that the soy bean will 

 not succeed so well on poor soils as the cowpea. 

 Nevertheless, it can be successfully grown on soils 

 low in fertility, and may therefore, like the cowpea, 

 be turned to good account as a renovator of the soil. 



Experience in pasturing the soy bean in the 

 United States has not been extensive. It is impos- 

 sible, therefore, at present to give its precise value 

 as a pasture plant under American conditions. But 

 since it is stiffer in the stem and more erect in its 

 habit of growth than the cowpea, and in conse- 

 quence is more easily broken off than the latter, it 



