Edible Soybeans 
For a number of years I have been inter- 
ested in edible soybeans. The ordinary field 
type is not suitable for human food. 
In 1940 I planted as many different varie- 
ties of edible soybeans as 1] could. get from 
seedsmen and plant breeders for testing, 
From these I selected five that I considered 
best adapted for our conczitions here in Iowa. 
Giant Green—is the earliest, but not very 
productive. This is evidently a misnomer be- 
cause it is not large in seed or habit of growth 
and is only partly green. Best adapted for 
norttaern Minnesota and Wisconsin. 90 days, 
about 18 inches high. 
Bansei—I am informed by an official of 
the Washington Department of Agriculture 
that this is the variety mostly used by can- 
ning factories that specialize on edible soy- 
beans. 116 days, about two feet high. 
Kura—This variety is flat shaped like a 
lima bean and jet black on both sides. All 
the other varieties listed are round and 
light yellow resembling peas in their ary 
state. Matures in about 120 days and grows 
about 20 inches high. 
Willomi—126 days: about 2 feet high. 
Hokkaido—126 days; about 2 feet high. 
These two are tue largest and latest that will 
usually mature in Iowa. 
These five varieties all stand up straight 
and strong like little trees holding the pods 
up from the ground go they will not be injur- 
ed by the wet weather as the navy beans 
usually are. 
