138 LEGUMINOUS CROPS 



hand or cut with a scythe or a corn knife. After cutting 

 it is well to let the beans lie in shocks or in windrows for 

 several days before threshing. 



Threshing and Storing. If the beans are thoroughly 

 dry they can be threshed nicely with a grain thresher. 

 Blank concaves should be used to prevent splitting of the 

 beans. The cylinder should be run at less speed than 

 when threshing grain. The beans should be stored in 

 barrels or shallow bins, or spread out on a floor where from 

 time to time they can be shoveled over until they are 

 thoroughly dry and hard. Later they may be safely stored 

 more compactly. When stored immediately after thresh- 

 ing, the beans are apt to heat and mold. As soy beans lose 

 their germinating power rather quickly, even when properly 

 stored, they should always be carefully tested for germina- 

 tion before planting. 



The dry beans will keep well for several years when not 

 exposed to the elements. They can be fed whole to pigs 

 and sheep, but for general use it is preferable to crack or 

 grind them. 



Tests have shown that it is often necessary to mix the 

 beans with corn or peas to grind them into meal, as the 

 beans are too soft to granulate well if ground alone. Too 

 large quantities should not be ground at a time, as the high 

 oil content will cause the meal to heat and turn rancid in 

 storage, making it unfit for feed. 



Soil Inoculation. When soy beans are planted on land 

 that has never before grown soy beans, it is well to inoculate 

 with the bacteria that produce the nodules on the roots of 

 the plants. This can be done by securing soil from a field 

 upon which soy beans have been grown for several years, 

 and scattering it at the rate of about 600 pounds to the 



