134 



LEGUMINOUS CROPS 



GROWING PERIOD AND YIELD PER ACRE OF SOY BEANS 

 FROM TESTS MADE AT THE WISCONSIN STATION 



Uses. The soy bean is not used as a human food in the 

 United States, its chief uses being that of a hay plant, a soil 

 renovator, a mixed silage crop, and a dry feed for hogs, 

 sheep, and cattle. The protein content of this plant is so 

 high when compared with that of other feeds that it com- 

 mends itself readily to dairymen and stockmen who desire 

 protein foods to use in balancing rations for farm animals. 



The analyses of the seeds of dry soy beans show the 

 following composition : 



PER CENT 



Protein 36.25 



Nitrogen-free Extract 25.97 



Fat 16.90 



Moisture J o-53 



Ash 6.20 



Crude Fiber 4.15 



Total 100.00 



As a hay crop it ranks next to alfalfa, and it makes excel- 

 lent silage when mixed, at the time of filling the silo, with 

 two thirds its weight of corn. If used exclusively for silage, 

 it gives off a disagreeable odor that permeates the whole 

 stable, and is therefore objectionable to dairymen for feed- 



