I really don't know why he uses rye rather than just the stalks standing. It may have to do with the fact he plants a lot of other crops in this river valley also such as potatoes and green beans for a cannery thet would NOT leave enough residue to hold the soil through a long open period after harvest.

I was impressed by how the rye ground seemed to be so dry relative to every thing else I have seen - maybe just the sand.

Jim at Dawn