128 



Soy Beans. 



[may, 



be present in great number. A full account of this mite 

 appeared in this Journal for February, 1908. 



Green-fly on Potatoes. — A correspondent in Glamorgan 

 sent a specimen of a boxed potato covered with green-fly, 

 which he had noticed in March. The aphides, which are still 

 under observation, appear to be the species Aphis dianthi, 

 Schr., which is recorded as having been taken on a number 

 of plants, including wild species of Solanacece. 



The soy bean (Glycine hispida), sometimes called the soja 

 bean, is a leguminous plant, and a native of south-eastern 

 Asia. There are many varieties known 

 Soy Beans. in Japan, China, Tibet, and the tem- 



perate portions of the Himalaya. In 

 the United States the varieties known and grown are yellow, 

 black, green, and brown soy, so named from the colour of 

 their seeds, with, in addition, Etampes soy, which has seed 

 like yellow soy, but grows to a height of over 2 ft., all the 

 other varieties being only from 1— 1 J ft. high. The soy bean 

 requires about the same temperature as maize, and it may 

 therefore be capable of growth in some of the southern and 

 eastern parts of England. The Board have arranged for some 

 experiments to be conducted with beans obtained from Japan. 



According to the U.S. Farmers' Bulletins (Nos. 58 and 

 97), the methods of cultivation are similar to those required 

 for ordinary field beans. It thrives best in soils of medium 

 texture, well supplied with lime, potash, and phosphoric acid. 

 Like other leguminous crops, it accumulates nitrogen in the 

 nodules on its roots, and thus enriches the soil for the next 

 crop. It endures drought well, and is not easily injured by 

 excess of moisture. 



The early varieties are best for seed crops, and the medium 

 or late varieties for hay or forage. Seed may be planted at 

 any time during the spring and early summer, but preferably 

 as soon as the ground becomes thoroughly warmed. One- 

 half to three-quarters of a bushel to the acre may be drilled, 

 but about one-quarter of a bushel more if sown broadcast. 



Little cultivation is needed when growing for forage, but 

 if grown for beans, weeds must be kept down. The crop 

 should be cut for hay when in the late bloom or early podding 



