SOY BEANS IN MAINE. 



Chas. D. Woods and J. M. Bartlett. 



The soy bean was introduced into the United States several 

 years ago from Japan, where it is grown for human food. In 

 this country it has chiefly been grown as a forage crop, and as it 

 thrives best in a moderately warm climate is better known in 

 the southern and middle than in the northern states. Some of 

 the earlier varieties, however, will mature seed in New England. 

 At the Massachusetts and Storrs (Conn.) Experiment Stations 

 a few varieties have been grown quite successfully for soiling 

 crops, for silage by itself or mixed with corn, and for the seeds. 

 Farmers' bulletin No. 58 of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture summarizes the present status of the soy bean as a 

 forage crop. Because of numerous inquiries, the Maine station 

 has experimented somewhat with this crop. The results of 

 these experiments are here reported and there is also included 

 such deductions and citations from Farmers' Bulletin 58 and the 

 publications of the Massachusetts and Storrs stations as seem 

 adapted to Maine climate and conditions. 



THE PLANT. 



"The soy bean is an erect, annual plant, with branching, hairy 

 stem, trifoliate, more or less hairy leaves, rather inconspicuous 

 pale lilac or violet colored flowers, and broad, two to five-seeded 

 pods, covered like the stem, with stiff, reddish hairs. The seeds 

 vary in color from whitish and yellowish to green, brown and 

 black ; and in shape from spherical to elliptical and more or less 

 compressed." * 



The seeds are self pollinated and on this account are sure to 

 produce seeds wherever the plants reach maturity. 



* Farmers' Bulletin 58, U. S. Dept. of Agr. 

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