38 MAINE AGRICUJ/rURAL EiXPERIMENT STATION. I914. 



to the pod. Soy bean 1002 plants averaged 33.5 inches high, in 

 good vigor, uniform, very few seed pods, but were still bloom- 

 ing vigorously. Soy bean 302 was 25 inches high with excel- 

 lent vigor, quite uniform, seed pods numerous with an average 

 length of two inches, with three beans to the pod. This variety 

 ctopped blooming and is much earlier than either of the two 

 others. 



September 15 the lower part of the field was touched by 

 frost. October 10 soy beans A and 302 were harvested by 

 pulling the plants. 1002 did not mature seed and was cut for 

 fodder. 



At threshing soy bean 302 yielded at the rate of 650 pounds 

 per acre, and soy bean A at the rate of 700 pounds of shelled 

 beans per acre. The beans were planted in rows three feet 

 apart at the suggestion of the Paint Manufacturers' Association. 

 This was too far apart for the two varieties that matured for 

 a maximum yield. As found in the earlier trials, 18 inches 

 would have been a better distance between rows. At that dis- 

 tance the yield would have been 75 per cent greater without 

 doubt or a yield of 20 bushels of beans. vSuch a yield would 

 carry as much protein and as much oil as 70 bushels of corn 

 but only an eighth as much carbohydrates. While the threshed 

 vines are readily eaten by stock they do not carry anything 

 like as much digestible matter as the stover from 70 bushels 

 of corn. The crop is easier handled, however, costs much less 

 for fertilizer needed and is a soil restorer. 



SUMMARY, 



From the trials made at the Maine Station and those at other 

 New England Stations the following summary is justified : 



Soy beans can be grown in parts of Maine where corn thrives. 



Where early corn matures, the early white soy bean will 

 usually mature. 



Where Sanford corn ears, the early medium soy bean will 

 form pods. 



Soy bean can be grown with less nitrogen than corn. 



In ofder to grow the soy bean most economically, the soil 

 should be inoculated with the organism that forms root tuber- 

 cles. 



