Kellogg's Great Crops of Strawberries, and How to Grow Them the Kellogg Way

In Short

This volume acts as both a professional manual and a commercial catalog for the R. M. Kellogg Company, a Michigan-based nursery. It outlines the "Kellogg Way" of strawberry farming, detailing everything from soil preparation and irrigation to the specific traits of their "pedigree" varieties. By framing gardening as a blend of scientific rigor and moral industry, the text provides a vivid snapshot of early 20th-century agricultural ambition, documenting the varieties, tools, and culinary traditions that defined the era’s pursuit of the perfect berry.

The Story

The narrative begins by establishing the R. M. Kellogg Company’s credentials, positioning the nursery not merely as a business, but as a trusted institution backed by local bankers and state agricultural inspectors. This foundation serves to build reader confidence before the text pivots to its central mission: the promotion of scientific plant breeding. Through a series of testimonials and endorsements, the company aligns itself with esteemed horticulturists like the Rev. J. R. Reasoner, who lends his authority to their "pedigree" plants. This establishes the recurring theme that quality—not price—is the true measure of agricultural success.

As the book progresses, the focus shifts to the technical reality of the nursery's operations. The text describes a "regenerative process" of crop rotation and soil enrichment, emphasizing that the nursery’s success relies on constant innovation, such as the implementation of the Skinner Irrigation System. This system is framed as "crop insurance," a modern marvel that mitigates the unpredictability of nature. The argument here is clear: by controlling the environment and utilizing only the most vigorous, young runner plants, the grower can guarantee success, whereas those who rely on "cheap" plants from unknown sources are destined to fail.

The middle section of the book is a showcase for the "stars" of the Kellogg catalogue, including varieties like Dr. Burrill, Kellogg’s Premier, and the newly introduced Kellogg’s Delicious. Each variety is accompanied by a glowing description of its hardiness, flavor, and yield, supplemented by reports from satisfied customers across the country. These anecdotes function as proof of concept, illustrating how these plants perform in diverse climates, from the droughts of the Midwest to the gardens of Canada.

The narrative arc then transitions from cultivation to consumption. Having provided the reader with the tools and varieties to produce a bountiful harvest, the text concludes with a collection of "Strawberry Dainties"—recipes curated to help the grower utilize their surplus. From strawberry custard pie to fruit punch and preserved berries, these recipes emphasize the versatility of the crop. The book ends by reiterating the terms of service and guarantees, reminding the reader that the "Kellogg Way" is a complete, end-to-end system. By the final page, the reader is left with the understanding that success is not merely a matter of luck, but the result of adopting the company's rigorous methodology, selecting the right varieties, and committing to the labor of proper maintenance.

How It Unfolds

The foundation of trust The book opens with formal endorsements from local banking officials and state inspectors to validate the company’s integrity. It establishes the "Kellogg Way" as a standard of quality that transcends common nursery practices.

The science of growth The focus shifts to the practical demands of the soil, describing a "regenerative" cycle of rotation and moisture control. Detailed instructions on planting and mulching emphasize that consistency and technical precision are the true secrets of a high yield.

The catalog of varieties The narrative introduces specific strawberry varieties, each presented as a unique solution for different growing conditions. Testimonials from growers act as evidence, proving that these "pedigree" plants can thrive even in adverse weather.

The final harvest The book concludes with a culinary section, showing the reader how to turn their bounty into home-cooked meals. It finishes with clear ordering instructions, turning the educational manual into a direct path for the reader to start their own garden.

The People

The central authority is F. E. Beatty, the president and general manager of the R. M. Kellogg Company. He represents the voice of the business, constantly stressing the importance of "unity of purpose" and the distinction between low price and high value. His perspective is shared by the Rev. J. R. Reasoner, a veteran breeder who serves as the moral and scientific compass of the book. Reasoner represents the ideal of the "benefactor," a man who values the humanitarian benefit of his work over personal financial gain, lending the company a sense of noble tradition.

The customers, such as J. Lloyd Sterling and Mrs. Frank L. Jones, act as the practical, everyday heroes of the text. They represent the "ideal" grower: someone who listens to expert advice, puts in the required labor, and is rewarded with both a bountiful harvest and, occasionally, prize money. Standing in opposition to these figures are the nameless purveyors of "cheap" plants, who represent the pitfall of short-term thinking. These figures are the antagonists of the narrative, responsible for the "loafer" plants that frustrate honest gardeners. By the end, the reader is invited to join the ranks of the successful, transitioning from a novice to a proficient producer who, like the satisfied customers in the testimonials, finds both pleasure and profit in the "Kellogg Way."

In Its Own Voice

"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."

(The introduction frames the company’s history as a process of natural, steady growth.)

"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."

(This passage describes the mechanical irrigation system as a savior for crops during periods of drought.)

"Dee-licious! Unconsciously,--almost involuntarily, a taste of its berries compels this exclamation for never have you tasted anything more lastingly delicious."

(The author uses this sensory reaction to introduce the new Kellogg’s Delicious variety.)

What It's Really About

The central argument of the book is that agricultural success is a product of scientific management rather than chance. It suggests that there is a moral and economic imperative to treat the strawberry not as a wild fruit, but as a "pedigree" asset that requires expert breeding and controlled environmental conditions. The text addresses the tension between cost and value, arguing that the cheapest path is usually the most expensive in the long run. Underlying the instructions is a deeper question of how one defines a "successful" life—by the quiet, steady labor of the home garden or the efficient, market-oriented output of a modern, "systematized" agricultural enterprise.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in agricultural history, vintage advertising, or the evolution of domestic gardening will find this book deeply engaging. It offers a transparent look at how a 1920s company built a brand through the synthesis of technical expertise and emotional appeal. You will feel the palpable pride the company takes in its "pedigree" and the genuine enthusiasm for the "home strawberry garden" as an institution.

However, the reader should be prepared for the relentless focus on commerce; the book is, at its heart, a sales catalog, and the prose is consistently oriented toward making a purchase. The period attitudes—such as the heavy reliance on testimonials and the somewhat moralistic tone regarding "cheap" versus "quality" goods—are artifacts of a specific time and industry. Despite these limitations, the book’s detailed instructions on soil preparation, mulching, and the specific demands of everbearing strawberries remain surprisingly practical and thorough. It is a rewarding look at a time when the "science" of the backyard garden was being professionalized, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for the effort required to produce, as the author calls it, "Nature’s Priceless Gift."