Part 4

For every result there must be a corresponding cause. We have referred to the superior qualities of Kellogg Pedigree Plants. Now we are going to explain the reasons why these plants are superior both in plant growth and berry production.

First Step in Crop Rotation

Follow us please through our regular process of crop rotation and soil preparation beginning just as we have finished digging and shipping a crop of Kellogg Pedigree Plants in May.

The ground on which these plants were grown is first plowed deeply (eight to nine inches) after which it is harrowed repeatedly both with spring tooth and disc. Following this it is packed with roller and the result is a perfect seed bed thoroughly pulverized the full depth of plowing. All vegetation which remained at the time of plowing has been cut up and crushed so as to decay rapidly.

The ground is then seeded to alfalfa and remains in this crop for three years. The first two years it is cut for hay. The third year the first crop is mowed and allowed to remain on the field as a mulch just as it falls from the mower blade. The second growth comes up through this mulch and the entire crop is then plowed under.

Value of Legumes

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. 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. After this has been incorporated with the soil and a pulverized seed bed formed as before, it is seeded to a mixture of cow-peas and buckwheat.

1 HARVESTING ALFALFA HAY

2 RYE AND VETCH

3 ROLLING DOWN & DISCING

4 PLOWING IT UNDER

5 COWPEAS & BUCKWHEAT

6 PLOWING IT UNDER

7 HARROWING, ROLLING & SEEDING TO OATS

8 SHREDDING MANURE

9 HOEING, CULTIVATING & FERTILIZING

10 HOEING PLANTS

11 REMOVING BLOSSOMS

12 SPRAYING

13 IRRIGATING

14 IRRIGATION PUMPING STATION

15 GARAGE & MACHINE SHOP SHOWING TRACTORS & TRUCKS

16 MULCHING FOR WINTER

17 PACKING HOUSE WHERE PLANTS ARE COUNTED, PRUNED & PACKED FOR SHIPMENT

18 A KELLOGG STRAWBERRY GARDEN PACKED FOR SHIPMENT]