SOY BEANS IN MAINE. 117 



YIELD. 



The yield of green fodder that can be had in Maine will prob- 

 ably vary from 5 to 10 tons per acre. In the large plots grown 

 by this Station in 1903 the largest yield was only a little over 5 

 tons to the acre. But the rows were twice too far apart, hav- 

 ing been planted in drills 3 feet apart. If they had been planted 

 at the same distance as the small plots in 1904 (16 inches) there 

 is no reason for thinking the yield would not have been nearly 

 or quite doubled, for at no time did the plants come near filling 

 the space between the rows. On good land, with fair cultiva- 

 tion and average season, a yield of 8 tons of green fodder could 

 doubtless be counted upon. Cured into hay this would give a 

 yield of about 2.y 2 tons per acre. 



NUTRIENTS IN SOY BEAN AND THEIR DIGESTIBILITY. 



In the Farmers' Bulletin previously cited, tables arranged with 

 great care showing the chemical composition of the various 

 parts of the soy bean and their digestibility are given. These 

 tables are quoted in the tables on pages 118 and 119 and to them 

 are added the results of analyses and digestion experiments 

 made at this Station with soy bean and corn. 



The composition of the soy bean as compared with other 

 legumes stands high. The fodder closely resembles clover in 

 composition and soy bean silage, in both composition and diges- 

 tibility, is the equal of clover silage. It is doubtful if any more 

 digestible nutrients can be grown from an acre with soy beans 

 than with clover. But in some localities they are a surer crop 

 and need only a single season for their growth. Soy beans 

 would be more naturally compared in this State with corn, for 

 if grown at all they seem best adapted for silage. The chief 

 difference between corn and soy beans is found in the high 

 protein content of the latter. Like other beans it has the power 

 of taking its nitrogen to form protein from the air, and since 

 it is richer in protein than corn, it may be justly considered a 

 desirable addition to the list of forage plants. As the price of 

 feeds rich in protein is advancing it seems very desirable that as 

 many legumes (plants rich in protein) that can gather their'own 

 nitrogen from the air be grown as possible. 



