CULTURE OF THE SOY BEAN 399 



be thorough. Little fertilization is necessary, for the plants 

 grow well on poor land and are able to obtain their supply 

 of nitrogen from the air. Soy beans grow better on sandy 

 or loam soils than on heavy clay. Inoculation with the 

 proper bacteria is necessary for the best success in new 

 districts. The tubercles of the soy bean are large, and they 

 store up considerable nitrogen in the soil when the plant is 

 grown under proper conditions. 



When the crop is to be cultivated, the rows should be 

 from 2 J/2 to 3 feet apart. Since the plants stand upright, 

 they can be cultivated longer than cowpeas. Three or four 

 cultivations are usually sufficient, though the number 

 depends on the soil and the season. Seed should not be 

 sown till after danger of frost is past; it may be sown up to 

 July 1 in the Central states, and three or four weeks later 

 farther south. The rate of planting varies from 1J^ to 2 

 pecks in rows to 4 pecks when sown broadcast. 



509. Harvesting. The methods of harvesting differ 

 but little from those described for the cowpea. The plants 

 should not be allowed to get too dry in the swath, or there 

 will be considerable loss of seed and leaves. As the seed 

 shatters readily, it must be cut before all the pods mature, 

 else much of it will be lost. Small areas may be pulled by 

 hand and the seed beaten out with a flail. Larger fields 

 may be thrashed with the ordinary thrashing machine or 

 with the special bean thrasher. The seed should not be 

 stored in large quantities without plenty of ventilation, for 

 it is likely to heat, thus lowering the germination. 



610. Uses of the Plant. The uses of the soy bean do not 

 differ materially from those of the cowpea. As the plants 

 grow erect, they are easily harvested for hay. They are 

 sometimes sown with sorghum, cowpeas, or other crops for 

 the production of mixed hay or silage. The feeding value 



