UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 439 
Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry 
£&#*$&L WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief 
Washington, D. C. T December 22, 1916 
THE SOY BEAN, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS UTILI- 
ZATION FOR OIL, CAKE, AND OTHER PRODUCTS. 
By C. V. Piper, Agrostologist in Charge, and W. J. Morse, Scientific Assistant, 
Forage- Crop Investigations. 
CONTENTS. 
Introduction 1 
Soy beans in Manchuria 2 
Soy beans in Japan 4 
Soy beans in Europe 6 
Soy beans in the United States 7 
Methods of oil extraction 9 
Soy-bean meal as human food 11 
Soy-bean meal as stock feed 13 
Soy-bean meal as a fertilizer 14 
Uses of soy-bean oil 15 
Analyses of important varieties of soy beans . 16 
Possibility of developing a manufacturing in- 
dustry with American-grown soy beans ... 17 
INTRODUCTION. 
The soy bean, although a plant of ancient cultivation in China, 
Chosen (Korea), and Japan, has become of special importance in the 
world's commerce only within recent years. In extent of uses and 
value it is the most important legume grown in Asiatic countries. 
In these countries the soy bean is used to a very considerable extent 
for human food, the beans being prepared in various ways. As the 
bean contains a valuable oil, large quantities are utilized by first 
extracting the oil and then using the cake for stock feed and as a 
fertilizer. 
Previous to the Russian-Japanese war, China and Japan were not 
only the greatest producers but also the greatest consumers of the 
soy bean and its manufactured products. About 1908 the first large 
importations of beans were received in Europe and America from 
Manchurian ports. The beans were utilized by extracting the oil, 
which was found valuable for various industrial purposes, leaving 
the bean cake as a stock feed. As the value of the oil and cake came 
to be recognized, new uses and markets were found, and the trade in 
soy beans became one of great importance, until now it has assumed 
Note.— This bulletin is intended for general distribution in the Southern States, where it will be of 
special interest to farmers and cotton-oil millmen. It will also be of interest to farmers of the Northern, 
and Central States and to manufacturers of soy-bean food products. 
57167°— Bull. 439—16 1 
