264 ' FORAGE CROPS 



Tennessee and Alabama Stations show that cow- 

 pea hay can be very profitably substituted in 

 part for concentrated feeds for dairy animals, 

 although it was shown to be advisable to use a 

 little feed in the ration. 



SOYBEANS 



The soybean is from Japan, where it is one of 

 the staple crops. It is now generally grown in 

 the southern coast and middle states. Soybeans 

 are also grown successfully in Illinois, Michigan 

 and Wisconsin, being better adapted to the climatic 

 conditions of those states than cowpeas. The soy- 

 bean has a strong central root, stiff stems, broad 

 leaves, and somewhat resembles the ordinary bean, 

 although it is larger and bushier in form. The 

 plants may be dwarf and early maturing, or late 

 and tall, but in no case do they have the vining 

 and trailing characteristics of cowpeas. They are 

 strictly upright plants. There are a number of 

 varieties. The Green seems to be the variety most 

 gener-illy used. 



Seeding, growth and use 



The plant resembles the cowpea in many of 

 its characteristics; namely, that it should, not 

 be seeded until the soil is warm, and when grown 



