THE SOY BEAN" FOR OIL AISTD OTHER PRODUCTS. 3 



successfully in semiarid regions, in valleys subject to floods in the 

 rainy season, and in northern latitudes similar to the Dakotas and 

 ^Minnesota. 



In Manchuria the beans are almost entirely produced by hand 

 methods. The seed is usually planted in April in rows 17 inches 

 apart, the plants about 2 inches apart in the rows. In some districts, 

 however, the beans are planted in 24-inch rows, allowing about 7 

 plants to the foot. The harvest takes place in September, the plants 

 commonly being pulled before they are quite mature, to avoid 

 shattering the pods. The thrashing of the seed is usually accom- 

 phshed with a stone roller or by trampling, and the winnowmg by 

 throwing the beans against the wind. 



The beans are bought by Chinese merchants and stored at rail- 

 way stations. No grading is attempted, the stored beans being of 

 all varieties and mixed more or less with sand and trash. The 

 exporters buy the beans from these merchants simply by weight, 

 but before shipment the beans are sorted. 



As to the yields obtained by the Manchurian farmer, there is con- 

 siderable variation in the figures given by different authorities. 

 Bean experts estimate the yield from 1,100 to 1,600 pounds to the 

 acre, commercial authorities from 1,600 to 1,800 pounds, and Jap- 

 anese agricultural experts from 400 to 2,000 pounds. In the best 

 bean-producing districts the average yield is said to be more than 

 1,800 pounds. No reliable statistics as to the cost of production 

 are available, but according to data secured from bean growers the 

 approximate cost per acre is placed at $4.42. 



Previous to the Russian-Japanese war soy beans and their prod- 

 ucts were exported almost entirely to Asiatic countries, Japan being 

 the principal consumer. During the war the local demand greatly 

 increased the production of the crop throughout Manchuria. After 

 the withdrawal of the troops, however, it became necessary to find 

 new markets for the surplus beans. Trial shipments were made 

 about 1908 by Japanese firms to several English oil mills. The 

 suitability of the seed for oil and cake was quickly recognized, and 

 orders for large consignments were made. The bean trade grew 

 rapidly and extended to other Eui-opoan countries and to America. 

 The (!xports of beans from Manchurian ports have increased and 

 large quantities of oil and cake are exported annually, as shown in 

 Tabh^ 1. 



The ports of Antung, Daircn, and Newchwang are tlie principal 

 cent(!rs of exports from soutlu^m Manchuria. Table I sliows the 

 exports of Ix^ans, bean cak(^, and bean oil ])assing through thdse ports 

 for the years 1909 to lOl.'i, inclusive. Jieans from North Manchuria 

 are exportcnl chi(;fly through Vladivostok, the (ixpoi't figun^s for 

 beans for the years 1912 and 191:^ amounting to 838,451 tons and 



