The Soya Bean

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18041, 18 March 1933, Page 12

The Soya Bean

COME time ago, the soya bean was recommended for trial by New Zealand farmers, but only a few have grown it. An annual plant, it is a hardy crop, withstanding frosts and adverse weather conditions, and it gives a fairly heavy yield.

Introduced from Japan and China into New Zealand in 1912, trials conducted then with thp soya bean gave varying results, but.with the importation of better varieties, some excellent returns were obtained. The bean can bo ptilised as ensilage or hay, and also for the manufacture of concentrated stock food, such as oil cake. The soil, preparation and crop management are very similar to the methods adopted for the growing .of maize. It is sown ip row’s from 2 to 3ft. apart, drilled at the rate of from 20 to SOlbs, of seed per acre. If broadcasted, more seed is required, from 60 to 901bs. per acre being recommended.

Too deep sowing is not advisable, gin. being the maximum. Cultivated the same as maize, a yield of up to three tons of hay per aero can be obtained, the hay being slightly higher in feeding value tlihu lucerne hay.

For hay the crop is cut. when the pods are well formed, and just before the leaves begin to dry up. As onsilage the soya bean can be grown as a mixture with maize or cow-peas.

Farmers ia other parts of New Zealand who have grown this crop.declare themselves as very satisfied, and that the yields are distinctly profitable.