ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 37 



difference of nearly 300 lbs. from one acre in favor of the latter. The 

 Soy bean is also more than three times richer in fatal (ether extract) 

 than corn. 



After threshing, the straw makes a good feed, nearly equal to timo- 

 thy. . 



For hay, the seed is generally sown at the rate of a bushel to the acre, 

 without any further cultivation, but this crowds the plants and produces 

 smaller stalks. It should be cu~ when in full bloom, or before the seed 

 has developed much, when it makes a most excellent hay for growing 

 animals, or milk production, and it has not the objectionable dust of red 

 clover. 



There are many varieties of this Soy bean. They are divided into 

 three classes according to their growth, Mammoth, Medium and Dwarf. 



The Mammoth will not mature seed in Illinois, but makes a heavy 

 .growth for hay. 



The Medium requires 1 the full season to mature seed. 



The Dwarf will ripen seed in 60 to 70 days. There is a \ariety with 

 green seed that grows nearly as large as the medium, and matures about 

 the same time as the dwarf, which makes it more valuable in other re- 

 speccs than either of these, and I think it is the most promising variety 

 for northern Illinois. I know of no growing crop that wild rabbits like 

 better than the Soy bean. Chickens and turkeys are also fond of them, 

 so that a small experimental lot must be put where they will not get at 

 and destroy ther\ 



I understand that in some places the dairj-men are restricted from 

 using the concentrated wild feeds, or any feed likely to taint the milk or 

 its products. There can be no such objection to the Soy bean. 



The Sand Vetch, or Winter Vetch, is a native of Europe, and in some 

 sections is extensively grown for feed. It is of slender growth and 

 while quite young lies close to the ground. As it grows, the vines run 

 over each other until there is a mass of loose vegetation knee deep or 

 more. Each plant stools or makes several vines which grow from 2 to 

 5 feet in length. The bloom is profuse; the individual flower is small, 



