R. M. Kellogg Co.

“ We never make up our price-list until late in the fall when all requirements have been fully supplied and the plants have snuggled down for their winter nap. Prices then are based on the size of the crop, cost of producing, plus the small profit to which we are entitled.
If you grow or intend growing strawberries either to supply your own home or for profit, remember; the use of ground, cost of labor, fertilizers, etc., is the same whether you set plants of unknown fruiting qualities or Kellogg Pedigree Plants which are absolutely dependable for crops and profits. ”

“ Every spring the fields which have just produced plants are plowed at the close of our shipping season and put through our crop rotation process. This thoroughly renovates the soil and supplies in proper proportions nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the essential elements of plant food together with an abundance of humus, the medium through which plants feed. It is what might be termed a regenerative process because it actually renews or rebuilds the soil. ”

“ The plants grow to enormous size, develop big, robust roots and crowns, are extremely hardy and vigorous and withstand drouth to a remarkable degree. The foliage is bright snappy green, its tough leaf tissue rendering it resistant to leaf spot, insects and weather extremes.
Its marvelous productiveness, the beauty and exquisite flavor of its big, bright, blood-red berries and its strong, healthy, vigorous plants combine to make Kellogg’s Marvel as nearly 100 per cent strawberry perfection as it is possible to obtain. ”

“ Considered from any standpoint, a Kellogg Strawberry Garden is a necessity to the home. Whether Fortune has lavished an abundance upon you and yours or if strict economy must of necessity be the watchword, you’ll find a Kellogg Strawberry Garden indispensable. ”

“ Senator Dunlap is a tall, dense, hardy grower. It has an unusually long fruiting season, producing great quantities of handsome, delicious, top-shaped berries having a pronounced neck crowned with a beautiful bright green calyx. The berries are dark, glossy red shading to deep scarlet on under side, with golden seeds embedded in the beautiful waxlike flesh and present a most attractive appearance when packed for market. ”

“ It is but natural that I am proud of our record of achievement and of the success of our customers. And yet I fully realize there is no standing still—that success demands progress and it is this realization that constantly spurs me on to greater aspirations. The spirit of progression prevails throughout our entire organization, but most noticeably perhaps in our experimental and research work as applied both to culture and varieties. ”

“ The high prices received for fall berries and the fact that Kellogg’s Everbearers produce a substantial crop the same season the plants are set, makes them highly desirable for the home garden or commercial strawberry grower.
To anyone who never has grown or seen the Everbearers fruiting in the fall and who is inclined to question their summer and fall fruiting habits, we want to say that it is difficult—yes, practically impossible to keep off the late summer and fall blossoms, so persistent is their nature to fruit at that time. ”

“ Like the good Samaritan of Sacred History, it brings water from the nearby stream and applies it soothingly to the thirsty plants in the form of gentle, mist-like, refreshing rain which thoroughly saturates the ground to their very root tips. If drouth prevails at seeding time, its near-natural-rainfall insures prompt germination of seed which is necessary to a successful crop. It likewise is depended upon to furnish an uninterrupted supply of moisture ‘whenever Nature refuses’. Often it is the only means of saving the crop. ”

“ The plants grow large, are heavy crown-builders and prolific runner makers, making it equally desirable for any system of culture. Its dense foliage forms ample protection for the berries.
Outstanding among its many desirable characteristics is its enormous productiveness, for at fruiting time the plants are simply a mass of blossoms and fruit. ”

“ Even with male varieties the crop may be increased and the quality of the berries improved if several bisexuals are set in the same patch as this provides an interchange of pollen which Nature intended.
Strawberry varieties do not mix or become crossed through the runners. Everbearers may be set beside standard varieties, or any number of different varieties may be grown side by side in a garden or field without mixing unless the runners of one variety are allowed to spread and take root in a row of another variety. Prevent this by restricting runners of each variety to their respective rows. ”

“ It’s quite true that you can obtain plants from various sources, often at prices much lower than we can possibly quote. Kellogg Pedigree Plants however are not grown to meet such competition. They are produced just as good as human understanding of science will permit. As explained on Pages 11 to 15 inclusive, everything necessary in the way of plant food, moisture, cultivation, also protection against insects and disease, is furnished just when and as required to insure the most healthy, vigorous growth and development both of plant and fruit systems. ”

“ The soil is nothing more than the home where the plants live. It is the feeding and care which they receive that encourages their growth and productiveness. Strawberries thrive in high and low altitudes and in all soils and climates therefore instead of seeking better soil, improve your own soil by following the instructions given in this book.
Soil Preparation and Fertilizers
Whenever possible, it is advisable to plow or spade your field or garden in the fall and after plowing, apply stable manure at the rate of about 250 pounds per square rod or 18 tons per acre. ”

“ It is impossible to find any plants on the Kellogg farm more than one year old except in our testing and experimental beds, and the mother plants in our propagating fields. In digging plants for shipment all mother plants are thrown out. Only their offspring,—strong, sturdy, young runner plants, are used in filling orders. This assures Kellogg customers young blood, full of life and stamina. When such plants are set in the customer’s field or garden, growth is rapid and vigorous. ”

“ Progressive grows rather tall and spreading, has vigorous, healthy foliage, long, heavy root system and is a splendid drouth resister. It is a strong bisexual—an ideal mate for any pistillate variety.
Its berries are medium large, beautiful dark red in color and of most delicious flavor, ideal for serving fresh from the vines or for canning and preserving for the winter.
Progressive is one of the first varieties to ripen in the spring and the last to ripen in the fall. It not only fruits heavily but brings practically every berry to full size and maturity. ”

“ But if you never have grown them, you certainly have missed a splendid opportunity to enjoy Nature’s rarest treat at its best. If you have any available ground, whether only a small backyard garden or a large acreage, set a patch of Kellogg Pedigree Plants this spring and at fruiting time you will be convinced beyond all doubt that you can’t afford to be without them. ”

“ Nitrogen is essential to plant life. The plowing under and resulting decay of legume plants releases vast quantities of nitrogen into the soil where it may be absorbed and assimilated by succeeding crops.
The accompanying illustration shows the nodule development on the roots of a two-months-old legume plant.
Other Rotation Crops
Following the alfalfa, we sow a mixture of rye and vetch which is plowed under when the rye is in head and the vetch in bloom as at this time the vetch (which also is a legume) attains its greatest development of nitrogen nodules and the rye its greatest humus value. ”

“ We of course claim superiority for Kellogg Pedigree Plants. This you would naturally expect and our strongest claims would count for naught were they not verified by thousands who know and grow them. Throughout this book we have reproduced reports selected at random as representative of many which have come to us from growers whose interest in our plants exists merely because they have found them in every way the most profitable and desirable. If better plants were to be had they would readily plant and endorse them. ”

“ Every red-blooded boy and girl craves them while the older folks too admit a fondness especially when, fresh from the vine, they are so temptingly sweet and delicious that every taste creates a lingering desire for more. ”

“ In the spring as soon as the frost leaves the ground, remove the mulching which lies directly over the rows to the spaces between the rows. This permits the plants to grow without any obstruction.
In warm climates where freezing is very light, it is unnecessary to cover the plants. Simply apply the mulching between the rows and under the foliage, forming a bedding for the berries to ripen upon.
Mulching adds materially to the strawberry crop and gives the grower bright, clean berries which are in big demand at fancy prices. ”

“ Every bare spot in your strawberry rows reduces your profits. If for any reason an occasional plant should fail to grow, these vacant places should be filled in as soon as possible to form unbroken rows thereby making every square foot of your ground contribute its full share toward the crop.
In spots where only one or two plants are missing, the vacancy may be filled by allowing the adjoining plants to form the necessary runner plants and layering them in the proper place. ”

“ Just imagine having heaps of these big delicious nuggets of beauty every day in the year— (the kind money can’t always buy) —with plenty left over to give you a snug profit besides. Kellogg Strawberry Gardens are making this vision of strawberry satisfaction and profit a reality in homes everywhere. ”

“ Characteristic of the mighty oak has been the development and growth of our Company, the origin of which dates back through many years to a modest beginning having as its inception, a firm belief in the World’s demand for bigger crops of better strawberries. ”

“ Its popularity is well earned and deserved, for no other variety of its season can boast its equal in productiveness, size and quality of berries and adaptability to all soils and climates.
Kellogg’s Premier is a strong growing bisexual and although classed as extra-early because of its unusually early ripening, it perhaps has the longest fruiting season of all standard varieties; an ideal pollenizer for early, medium and late pistillates.
The plants grow large, root deeply and indicate no preference as to soil or climate, thriving everywhere and withstanding drouth to a remarkable degree. ”

“ Pure-bred, highly productive plants always can be depended upon to produce big crops of fancy berries when the other essentials are present.
Well prepared fertile soil is very essential because plants are dependent upon the food elements supplied by the soil and the more fertility the soil contains, the more material each plant has to draw upon in building its crop. ”

“ Conspicuous in our every department is unity of purpose. We are working hand-in-hand, closely co-operating in every way to furnish Kellogg customers with the best plants that can be produced at the lowest possible prices consistent with high quality and to render every service necessary to their complete success with Kellogg strawberries. ”

“ Every Kellogg Plant is freshly dug at time of shipment in the spring and practically every plant is packed and on the way to the customer within twenty-four hours after it is dug. We never dig plants in the fall and hold them in storage over winter for spring shipment as we do not believe in this practice and do not have any storage facilities of this nature. ”

“ Kellogg’s Cash Prize Garden is our most popular Garden selection, and deservedly so, because, in addition to its value from a berry producing standpoint and the saving it affords over the regular list prices of plants, it provides an opportunity to compete for one of the three cash prizes totaling $50.00 which we award each year to the three members realizing the greatest yields from this Garden. ”

“ At fruiting time however, when each section tells its own story, you will find that the “cheap” plants will have absolutely no argument to offer in their defense as the Kellogg Pedigree Plants will far outyield them and the berries will be of much higher quality.
At the close of the fruiting season you’ll more fully appreciate the difference in “cost.” The “cheap” plants require setting, feeding, hoeing, cultivating and lodging (use of your ground) to the same extent as others. ”

“ A spike-tooth harrow may be used but the teeth should be set with a back slant so as not to tear out the plants when crossing the rows. In small gardens this work may be done with spade and garden rake. Continue working the ground until the surface is smooth. This will slightly cover the crowns and the plants which remain in the rows will soon come up through the fine covering of soil. Apply a top-dressing of manure, continue to cultivate the same as the first year, and your second crop will be fully as profitable as the first. ”

“ Repeated cultivation and hoeing are the best remedies.
White grubs which eat off the roots of plants causing them to wilt and die can be destroyed only by digging about the roots of the wilted plants and killing the grub. While this may not always save the affected plant, it will prevent the grub from doing further damage. Late fall plowing is the best preventive against root lice, white grubs, and all other underground insects. ”

“ A fervent application of Nature’s inevitable law,—that improvement both in plant and fruit results from continued selection of the strong and elimination of the unfit,—has been largely responsible in winning for Kellogg Pedigree Plants their world-wide reputation for strength, vigor, hardiness and productiveness. ”

“ Alfalfa is a legume or nitrogen gathering plant. An examination of the roots of leguminous plants reveals numerous bacteria nodules which vary in size, shape and number according to the kind and age of the plant. A very close relation has been found to exist between leguminous plants and the bacteria existing within these nodules. The plant furnishes the nourishment required by the bacteria while the bacteria in turn draw nitrogen from the air and render it available for the use of the plant. ”

“ Kellogg Pedigree Plants and How They Are Produced A juicy, tender sirloin costs more than a chuck steak; silver although it glitters is not as valuable as gold and you would expect to pay more for a wool garment than one of a lower grade fabric. ”

“ Mulching protects the plants during the winter, retains moisture in the soil, keeps down weed growth during the fruiting season and keeps the berries clean.
In cold climates mulching is necessary to protect the plants during alternate freezing and thawing. If not mulched this expansion and contraction breaks off the fine roots and greatly weakens the plants.
Any material such as oat, wheat or rye straw, marsh hay, shredded corn fodder, or coarse stable manure makes ideal mulching, or leaves will serve the purpose. ”

“ Cultivation should begin as soon as plants are set and when soil conditions will permit, should be continued every week or ten days throughout the entire growing season. Never cultivate when the soil is wet but cultivate as soon as the ground can be worked after each rain. Stir the soil to a depth of about two or three inches going as close to the rows as possible and complete the cultivation by hoeing shallow directly around the plants and in the rows where the cultivator teeth do not reach. ”

“ How to Grow Great Crops of Strawberries the Kellogg Way The Essentials of Successful Strawberry Growing Pure-bred, highly productive plants, well prepared fertile soil, thorough cultural methods and proper picking, packing and marketing of the berries are the four essentials necessary to insure big crops and big profits from strawberries. ”