THE SOY BEAN FOR OIL AND OTHER PRODUCTS. 3 
successfully in semiarid regions, in valleys subject to floods in the 
rainy season, and in northern latitudes similar to the Dakotas and 
Minnesota. 
In Manchuria the beans are almost entirely produced by hand 
methods. The seed is usually planted in April in rows 17 inches 
apart, the plants about 2 inches apart in the rows. In some districts, 
however, the beans are planted in 24-inch rows, allowing about 7 
plants to the foot. The harvest takes place in September, the plants 
commonly being pulled before they are quite mature, to avoid 
shattering the pods. The thrashing of the seed is usually accom- 
plished with a stone roller or by trampling, and the winnowing by 
throwing the beans against the wind. 
The beans are bought by Chinese merchants and stored at rail- 
way stations. No grading is attempted, the stored beans being of 
all varieties and mixed more or less with sand and trash. The 
exporters buy the beans from these merchants simply by weight, 
but before shipment the beans are sorted. 
As to the yields obtained by the Manchurian farmer, there is con- 
siderable variation in the figures given by different authorities. 
Bean experts estimate the yield from 1,100 to 1,600 pounds to the 
acre, commercial authorities from 1,600 to 1,800 pounds, and Jap- 
anese agricultural experts from 400 to 2,000 pounds. In the best 
bean-producing districts the average yield is said to be more than 
1,800 pounds. No reliable statistics as to the cost of production 
are available, but according to data secured from bean growers the 
approximate cost per acre is placed at $4.42. 
Previous to the Russian- Japanese war soy beans and their prod- 
ucts were exported almost entirely to Asiatic countries, Japan being 
the principal consumer. During the war the local demand greatly 
increased the production of the crop throughout Manchuria. After 
the withdrawal of the troops, however, it became necessary to find 
new markets for the surplus beans. Trial shipments were made 
about 1908 by Japanese firms to several English oil mills. The 
suitability of the seed for oil and cake was quickly recognized, and 
orders for large consignments were made. The bean trade grew 
rapidly and extended to other European countries and to America. 
The exports of beans from Manchurian ports have increased and 
large quantities of oil and cake are exported annually, as shown in 
Table I. 
The ports of Antung, Dairen, and Newchwang are the principal 
centers of exports from southern Manchuria. Table I shows the 
exports of beans, bean cake, and bean oil passing through these ports 
for the years 1909 to 1913, inclusive. Beans from North Manchuria 
are exported chiefly through Vladivostok, the export figures for 
beans for the years 1912 and 1913 amounting to 338,451 tons and 
