LEGUMES FOR FORAGE AND GRAIN 



311 



depending upon the variety, some kinds having smaller 

 seeds than others. Soy beans rapidly decrease in vi- 

 tality with age, and seeds more than one year old 

 should always be tested before seeding. When drilled 

 close, no cultivation is given the plants, but when seeded 

 in rows, they should be cultivated frequently during the 

 period of early growth. 



317. Harvesting. — The best quality of hay may be 

 secured if the plants are cut at the time the pods are well 



Fig. 113. — Soy beans growing in corn. 



formed and before many have matured. If cutting is 

 delayed until after this time in most varieties, many of 

 the leaves, which form the most valuable part of the hay, 

 will be lost, and the stems will become woody and unpal- 

 atable. On account of the ease with which the leaves 

 are broken off when dry, the curing should be done in the 

 cock. After cutting, the plants are allowed to lie in the 

 swath for a day or so, and the drying can then be com- 

 pleted with less loss of leaves by cocking. After a few 



