ANNUAL HAY AND FORAGE CROPS 287 



Inoculation, Tillage and Fertilizers. — On land which has not before 

 grown soy beans it is advisable to inoculate, either by soil transfer or by 

 artificial cultures. When sown in rows, inoculated soil may be put into the 

 fertilizing box and distributed with the beans at time of planting. This 

 reduces the amount of soil required and gives perfect inoculation. The 

 precautions pertaining to inoculated soils and artificial cultures are the same 

 as those given for alfalfa. 



The fertilizers for soy beans are the same as for cowpeas. 



When planted in rows far enough apart to permit of cultivation, 

 cultivation should begin early and be sufficiently frequent to keep down all 

 weeds and maintain a soil mulch. Soil should not be thrown on the plants 

 when they are wet. Cultivation should cease when the plants come into 

 bloom. 



Time and Method of Harvesting. — Beans grown for hay may be cut 

 with the mowing machine and cured in the same manner as cowpeas. For 

 this purpose it is best to cut when the leaves first begin to turn yellow and 

 the best developed pods begin to ripen. When harvested for seed it is best 

 to wait until the leaves have fallen and at least half of the pods have turned 

 brown. If much value is attached to the straw, harvesting for seed may 

 take place a little earlier. The method of threshing is the same as that for 

 cowpeas. 



When grown with corn for silage purposes, the beans should be a little 

 more mature than when harvested for hay. 



Composition, Feeding Value and Utilization. — Well-cured soy bean 

 hay is superior to clover hay and equal to alfalfa. It is more palatable than 

 cowpea hay. Whether used for hay, grain, straw or ensilage, it is very 

 valuable as a feed for nearly all kinds of livestock. It is especially valuable 

 in all kinds of rations where high protein content is desired. The whole 

 plant is high in protein and the beans are very high in both protein and fat. 



Vetches. — The hairy vetch is a winter annual and is important as a 

 forage and soil improvement crop in the United States and Canada. It 

 belongs to the same family of plants as cowpeas and soy beans. It is best 

 adapted to a cool, moist climate and succeeds best in the northern half of 

 the United States and southern portion of Canada. Although it may be 

 seeded any time during the summer, it does best when seeded in the late 

 summer or autumn. It generally blossoms in May and matures seeds in 

 June or July. 



It is valuable as a winter cover crop. The plant has a reclining habit. 

 It is, therefore, best to seed rye and vetch together. About twenty-five 

 pounds of vetch and one-half bushel of rye per acre makes a suitable mix- 

 ture. The crop may be turned under early in the spring for the benefit of 

 the soil, or pastured or cut green for soiling purposes, or made into hay. 



Canada Field Peas. — This term is used for field peas regardless of 

 their variety. The plant is adapted to a cool, moist climate and succeeds 

 best when seeded early in the spring. When used for having or soiling 



