308 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



the section of the country north of Kentucky and Kansas. 

 Soy beans will grow well in almost all types of soils. 

 They grow well on rather poor soils if the nodule-forming 

 bacteria are present, under these conditions producing 

 a rather small growth of leaves and stems, but a rela- 

 tively high yield of grain. On very fertile soils the growth 

 of leaves and stems is large, and is frequently accompanied 

 by relatively low yields of grain. Soy beans are not so 

 sensitive to wet soils as many legumes, although they 

 grow best on well-drained land ; neither are they as 

 sensitive to acid soils as clover and alfalfa, although 

 limestone soils are most favorable for their growth. 



313. Uses. — In China, Japan, and other Oriental 

 countries soy beans hold an important place as a supple- 

 ment to rice in the dietary of the people, but in the United 

 States they have never attained much favor as human 

 food, probably on account of the characteristic flavor 

 which they have after cooking, that is not relished by 

 Americans. In Europe oil is extracted from the grain, 

 which, after being refined, is used in combination with 

 other oils for culinary purposes. The crude oil is used for 

 paints, varnishes, soap, and also for lubricating purposes. 

 In this country the grain is almost entirely used for seed 

 and for the feeding of live stock. As a stock food soy 

 beans may be utilized as grain, hay, soiling, and pasture. 

 The great demand for seed, on account of the rapidly 

 increasing acreage devoted to the crop, has resulted in 

 nearly all of the crop being harvested for grain, which is 

 sold for seed. It cannot be long, however, before the 

 production of grain will exceed the demand for seed, 

 which will result in the price per bushel being based upon 

 the feeding value. Soy beans are almost equal in feeding 

 value to gluten meal, cotton seed meal, and other con- 



