BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Ed T
Date: 18 Jan 13 - 09:09 AM

As a lad, we had a Red Astrachan apple tree in our orchard, which I would climb for the crisp, sour variety. I believe someone already mentioned it. I recall they had red colours throughout the white flesh.

We also had an early variety of yellow transparent, that locals called August apples, many varities of crab apples and sweet apples, not sure of the variety (could have been Delblush.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jan 13 - 07:46 AM

This is a very nice thread. Thanks Maeve.

For pies, McIntosh or Cortland. For raw eating Golden delicious.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Jim Martin
Date: 18 Jan 13 - 07:34 AM

The Egremont Russet is a gorgeous apple but supermarkets don't seem to what to stock it because of the old 'chestnut' of it having a rough looking skin!

http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/egremont-russet

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 17 Jan 13 - 09:05 PM

Maeve's link above to more heirloom apples listed "Gravenstein".
When my Parents purchased their small dairy/piggery property in 1951,(I was 7) the then owner had established a quite large mature orchard full of apples, figs, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, quinces, oranges, lemons and almonds with several varieties of each.
My enduring memory in early Autumn/Fall is of picking and eating a fallen Gravenstein apple chilled from the dewey grass. Makes me salivate still. Same for the prune plums dried in the grass.
There is not much left now, figs, two plums and one quince mostly destroyed by white ants with one fallen limb still growing.
I have managed to strike some cuttings from the old quince to plant in my orchard I am establishing. They will keep some memories alive.
Quinces cooked slowly on the wood stove until they turned a lovely deep shade of red. Served with cream or custard.
I am sourcing a Gravenstein or two to plant as well this season.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 17 Jan 13 - 10:28 AM

the Finger Lake region of western New York, besides sharing much of the same geology as Wales, is a prime apple producing area... as well as grapes. At the north end of Seneca Lake is located the Geneva Experimental Station that has both preserved and developed many fine apple and fruit varities.

That said, my husband fell in love with the Westfield Seek nae Further, to the point where we named our Highland Cattle breeding operation Seek Nae Further back when we belonged to the registry. I enjoy too many fine varieties to name a favorite, but the Yellow Banana apple always made the best applesauce.

We used to press the "wild" apples and crabapples that grow in the farm hedgerows and woodlot to make fine cider & vinegar.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 17 Jan 13 - 10:07 AM

Refresh for Virginia Tam

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 10:40 AM

More heirloom apple descriptions to enjoy

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 07:07 AM

Dan- We have a Grimes Golden and look forward to harvesting apples in a year or two. Good luck with this year's crop from your tree.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 06 Apr 09 - 01:12 PM

We have a tree in our backyard, which we are told is grimes golden - a really delicious ancestor of the Granny Smith that works well baked or just eaten. Two years ago we got a bumper crop, which we stored in the fridge into the winter. Then last year we went on vacation just as they were starting to set, and came back to find squirrels had eaten every last one of them - save one apple, way up at the top and out of reach, that sat there like a tease until one day it fell - and a deer ate it.

Maybe this year we'll have better luck again.

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 05 Apr 09 - 01:29 PM

Allison- PMs are welcome. You are at an exciting point in your home-building. We've planted many apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees on our little farm, and are now grafting and selling apples and pears. Glad to help if we can.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 05 Apr 09 - 12:58 PM

This is getting me excited for next year- THIS year we are building our house, and have had to remove far too many trees so the trucks can get in and out- so next year, when building's all over, we plan to start a small apple orchard- I'm thinking probably 3-4 trees. I know nothing about such things, so will do my homework beforehand.
Maeve, I'm in about the same planting zone as you (I'm in sw NH) so expect future PMs from me asking for advice!
This has been a fascinating thread!
Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 02:41 PM

Thanks, Claire. That's about as far as I got in the search. I have a grafting scion marked as "Early Gentian" and need to know something about it before using one of our small stock of rootstock. I see I'll have to try to track down the person who donated that variety to a recent scion swap, where we picked it up. Could be a self-named rather than heritage variety, of course, which would explain why neither you nor I have found any references.

Thank you for your efforts.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: ClaireBear
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 01:25 PM

Maeve, I found nothing at all about any apple called a gentian, early or otherwise. I did, though, find an antique apple variety on foodhistory.com's "A Is for Apple" page whose name sounds as though it could have mutated into "gentian":

"Ginet (AKA Genet, Geneton, Geniton, Gennetin, Genneting, Gennetting, Indiana Jannetting, Janet, Janetting, Jefferson Pippin, Jenetings, Jeniton, Jenitons, Jennett, Jennette, Jenniton, Missouri Janet, Never Fail, Neverfail, Rall's Genet, Ralls Genet, Raule Jannet, Raule's Genet, Raule's Janet, Raule's Janett, Raule's Janette, Raule's Jannet, Raule's Jannette, Raule's Jannetting, Raule's Jennetting, Raul's Gennetting, Rawle's Genet, Rawle's Janet, Rawle's Janett, Rawle's Jannet, Rawle's Jennet, Rawle's Jenneting, Rawle's Jennette, Rawl's Janet, Red Neverfail, Rock Remain, Rockremain, Rock Rimmon, Rockrimmon, Royal Janette, Winter Genneting, Winter Jannetting, Yellow Jannett, Yellow Jannette)

"This apple was first propagated in the United States from the farm of Caleb Ralls in Amherst County, Virginia. Ralls may have worked with clippings brought from France by Edmund Charles Genet, French ambassador to this country, at the urging of then–Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, around 1800. Medium-sized yellow apple, covered and striped in varying shades of pink and red. Crisp, juicy, and tender."

None of the pseudonyms are "early" anything, though. Good luck finding your apple!

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 08:45 AM

I'm looking for information about an apple called "Early Gentian." Do any of you apple-speaking folks know of such a thing? I've been googling all over the place as well as having consulted our many print resources. Any leads will be appreciated.

Thanks,

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 01:45 PM

Sturnham

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 08:44 PM

My own choice is either Royal Gala or Egremont Russet. I grew up in apple country.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 07:56 PM

Dave's Wife- your cake and jelly plans sound delicious! I'd love to see your recipes for each.

Meanwhile, a crane dug up all of our peaches and a quince today to clear the way for a new septic system. I have no clue where we can replant them, but perhaps we'll have a better idea of what to do tomorrow after we've dug everything else that must come out.

The good news is that this upgrade means that eventually I won't have to carry out wash water by hand from my wringer washer. Yippee!

Sigh...

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 06:25 PM

Trader Joe's has finally begun selling apples by the pound in stead of in bags and they have most of the good eating and cooking apples for just 39 cents a pound! I bought as much as I thought I could reasonably store for the next couple of months. I got some Galas, Fuji, Granny Smith's, Rome and oh darnit, I can't remember what else.

I'm going to use a mix of Granny Smith's and Galas in my traditional Apple cakes that I make in old cookie tins and then mail out to friends for holiday gifts. It's a bit like Porter Cake but not as strongly spiced. The cake ages very well and will keep for a couple of weeks once sealed up properly. It never tastes its best until it's aged at least 2 days. Once you start slinging it though - it goes quickly! I keep the recipe in my head but I'll attempt o write down the measurements when I make it and post here.

I never did get around to making the Pyracantha Jam on the weekend past. No bother tho - the berries are still in fine condition. I plan on making two types one a hot-spicy Pyracantha-Chili Jam with some of those apples tossed in for body and the other a nice Ginger Pyracantha and Cranberry jam. Pyracantha is is the same larger familt that roses and apples are so it should be a good mix. People often think the berry flesh is poisonous but its not - just the seeds as are apple seed.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 11:30 AM

I picked up a beautiful honeycrisp at the market to use with dinner tonight. I can't afford many, at $3 a pound (this one apple was over a pound all by itself). On the other hand, my garden tomatoes are coming in like gangbusters this week, so we will at least have some affordable produce on the table!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 01:01 AM

One last refresh...

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 11:28 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 12:19 PM

Thanks, SRS. I followed the link provided by Guest Jim Martin (thank you) and spent many happy moments perusing the Bernwold Plants site. I'm glad Guest Jonny Sunshine happened to mention the location of the source of his Pearmain tree (thank you, too). I've ordered a catalogue. They don't send plants to the States, but I think I'll learn a lot just from the catalogue. They do have gift tokens for fruit trees available, so I could save up to send one as a gift for a musical friend in Scotland who is redoing the garden.

I very much appreciate sll of the contributions to this thread. Thanks, all!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 11:24 AM

maeve, that name came from the site posted by guest Jim Martin.

Bernwode Plants - Traditional British Apple Trees. I made up the Tarrant name. Someone else will have to make up the apple to go with it. :)

Pears and peaches, favorites of my childhood. I have a neighbor with a very good pear tree, I need to stop and take a look and get that same type. I have space in the back for a few fruit trees. Just have to make sure I have the pump in place to get them enough water in dry years. (I live on a creek.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 09:05 AM

Yes, the Honeycrisp parentage clarification was one of the interesting sidenotes at one of this year's Maine Apple Day workshops. I'd love to add one to our young orchard.

SRS- Where did you find that wonderful apple name?

As promised way up thread, I've compiled a list of the apples we're growing here in Maine. (Most of our trees are from Fedco Trees, PO Box 520, Waterville, Maine 04903-0520.) In the last eight or so years, we have planted the following apples:

Airie Red Flesh, Black Oxford, Blake, Chenango Strawberry, Cortland, Dudley Winter, Garden Royal, Kavenagh, King David, Liberty, Major, Sandhill, Sweet Sixteen, Opalescent, with the addition of topworked trees of Yellow Bellflower and Sweet Sal. I think I'm missing a couple.

Crabapples for pollination, fruit, and beauty include: Dolgo, Kerr (red flesh), Radiant, Sargent's Weeping, Brandywine, and an unidentified semi-weeping crab. Several wild trees add to our stock of usable apples. Some of the wildings will be used for topworking of more desirable hardy varieties.

We have the following home grafted trees in pots from successful grafting last winter: Airie Red Flesh, Briggs Auburn, Cox's Orange Pippen, Kings Mills crab, Lowland Raspberry, Milo Gibson, Northern Spy, Opalescent, Pitmaston Pineapple, Red Free, St. Edmonds Russet, Somerset of Maine, Wealthy, Westfield Seek-No-Further, and Wolf River. Some of these we plan to plant in our orchard, others we'll sell in the spring. This winter we'll graft many more for sale in Spring 2009. Any apple bud grafting we do will be in late June-July.

Our pears include Seckel and Summercrisp, both of which had their first significant crops this year and are beyond delicious. Our Tyson hasn't been in place long enough to fruit yet, and the Golden Spice had a bumper crop for the first time and was inedible, and so will either be topworked with a better selection or removed entirely. I'd like a Vermont Beauty! We have last winter's grafted pears in pots as well: Comtesse Clara Frijs, Gorham, Magness, Seckel, and Summer Crisp.
I love pears so much I'd love to plant them all, but that would be excessive!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 06:36 AM

Oh yes, Honeycrisps are really a nice eating apple. Interesting story about the DNA results.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 10:18 AM

"Kentish Fillabasket." What a great name! I'd like to grow a nice crisp Tarrant Packabushel if someone has found something like that. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 08:55 AM

Jim Martin: , yes, that's the place, I'd completely forgotten the name! They certainly know their fruit there.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:43 PM

The more you say "NO" the more I say "YES"

Perhaps, they are more hearty than expected.....

Expect a secret Santa to secure until budding. Maine's restrictions are more Canadian soft-wood, and perhaps Aroostook County potato.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: mrdux
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 10:53 PM

well, so much for the infallibility of bibles:

December 29, 2004
Surprising 'Honeycrisp' Information Released

"Today in an interview with Topper Sponsel of Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard, the first public release of unexpected information regarding the origins of the highly popular Honeycrisp apple was made by David Bedford, head of the apple breeding program at the University of Minnesota's Agricultural Experiment Station. It answers one question that wasn't even being asked, and leaves another that was thought to be known but, as it appears now, may never be known.

"Records and public releases from the University of Minnesota from 1991 to the present have identified the parentage of Honeycrisp as the cross 'Macoun' x 'Honeygold'. But recently completed DNA testing has determined that neither Macoun nor Honeygold are parents of Honeycrisp. That's the answer to the question no one was asking.

"The testing determined for certain that Keepsake, another apple from the University of Minnesota's apple breeding program that was released in 1978, is one of the parents. But, despite extensive searching, the other parent has not been identified. There is no DNA match among any of the varieties that are thought to be possible parents."

from http://www.applejournal.com/

Keepsake, for what this may be worth, is claimed to be a cross between a "Malinda" and a "Northern Spy." also, it appears that in the UK, Honeycrisp is known as "Honeycrunch."

whatever its parentage, it's a fine apple.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: mrdux
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 01:26 AM

SRS -- your market has it partly right (at least according to my apple bible: Apples for the 21st Century, by Warren Manhart (1995)):
Honeycrisp is a cross between Honeygold and Macoun. Honeygold is a cross between Golden Delicious and Haralson (another Minnesota apple). Macoun is a cross between McIntosh and Jersey Black. . . so two of Honeycrisp's grandparents are Golden Delicious and McIntosh. And it is patented by the U of Minnesota (US plant patent #7197).

michael

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 12:31 AM

A sampled-hander-outer at Central Market yesterday was handing slices of Honeycrisp and said it was a cross between a Golden Delicious and a MacIntosh. And that it is patented by the University of Minnesota. At least, that's their story at the market.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 11:55 PM

Guest,Johnny Sunshine.

It wasn't here was it?

http://www.bernwodeplants.co.uk/apples.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Don Firth
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:01 PM

I took a computer class back around 1980, and they used Apple IIs in the classroom. But the first computer I bought, in 1983, was a KayPro II. Great little machine!

(Well, somebody had to do it!)

I don't know if I have a favorite apple, but I do have preferences. Actually, as a denizen of Washington State, I prefer the Golden Delicious to the Red Delicious. Juicier, sweeter. I find that the Red Delicious, although they look like the ideal apple, frequently lack flavor and tend to be a little on the mealy side.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 05:58 PM

We have a Claygate Pearmain in our garden we bought as a mere sapling a few years ago. Can't remember where we got it, it was somewhere in Buckinghamshire that specialises in old and obscure varieties.
We got 5 very little, but tasty apples this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:40 AM

Mrs. Duck- I've never grown any citrus here (with no appropriate indoor/greenhouse space), although If I had a heated sunroom or greenhouse attached to the house I'd have a Meyers lemon and a blood orange for starters. It sounds like you have the start of a great idea. It would smell so sweet with the blossoms!

I do have a group of 6-8" setsuma oranges grown from seed just for fun. They're by the kitchen sink under a plant light. There's some good information available online. I'll take a meander when I have a chance.

Gargoyle- Thanks for the offer, but we're just not willing to waste even one of your precious Black Twig buds when we know it's simply too cold here. We are also not set up for agricultural permits for importing. Thank you for the kind offer!

Mrs. Duck- If you come across an online version of the story about the farmer you mentioned, I'd like read it. We're collecting such stories for our files to use in customer education.

Stilly River Sage- Thanks for the link. Amazing!

Who else has a favorite apple?

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 02:54 AM

Has anyone here had much experience with Citrus growing? I really want to cobnvert my empty but very sunny sideporch to a Dwarf Citrus or Small Citrus container garden. I have room for about 3 full sized containered treess and twice that in dawrf trees. I'm hoping to get two different lemons, 2 limes, a Citron and then it's up for grabs.

Of course, I have to buy all these within Califnornia since we can't import citrus or fruit tress.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 10:48 PM

MAEVE- We only have three trees, black-twig.

It would be a benefit to "the community" if you would attempt to graft "three - parafin - buds" into hearty Maine stock.

If you are able???? We can provide....the week the "ice-goes-out"....but will store in hyrador from budding until you season.

The world prepares for climate warming....but those who read the signs.....say another "ice-age."

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Two New Zealand orchards are ready....but six months is too long for storage.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:22 PM

We had atree in our garden which bore the Lord Lambourne variety. I noticed on TV the other day that a farmer has decided to revive a lot of the older varieties including that one so I will look out for them.

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 02:41 PM

Fat lot you know, Garg! The Forest Service had a two-pronged approach to getting good seed stock. There were large multi-agency nurseries around the country, and there were nurseries at the district level where foresters with the interest and training would try some of their own methods. At Darrington, Washington, they used to take a helicopter out and someone in the door with a long trimming pole and a basket on the end would literally lean out and lop the tops off of standing timber at different elevations, and then it was grafted onto root stock in the nursery to see if they could later get seeds from trees that had evolved at the given elevations. You'll find reference to some of this research here. I've seen photos of the helicopter work, but it was a long time ago and they don't seem to have made it online.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 10:34 AM

Thanks, Gargoyle, for the generous offer. We do both bud grafting and grafting onto hardy rootstock. I would indeed have cherished a Black Twig, and and we do have several trees for topworking, but have learned that they are not hardy in Maine. Thank you very much for thinking of it, though. We do have a King David, an 1893 chance seedling from a Jonathan- Black Twig cross, so that will have to do for us.

SRS- It appears you are referring to the grafting of evergreens? It sounds like an interesting process. Do you remember what species and what size material was being harvested and then grafted? What was the purpose of the project?

Jim Martin- I'm glad you've found such a good source for apples. What other Irish varieties would you like to have?

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 12:38 AM

SRS - you are a "kook"

RE: "Forest Service" Plantation Grafting

The process is skillful, it is VERY time consuming, it is done through manual labor.

Hellicopters would NEVER be used in grafting apple-trees.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 12:23 AM

Oooh! Interesting offer, Gargoyle!

I used to work with the fellow who did the grafting in the Forest Service plantation on our district. Via helicopter they would pluck the apical meristem from the tops of various evergreen trees at specific elevations and graft it onto root stock down in the easy to reach (elevation-wise) orchard. It's pretty interesting. I've never tried it, though.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 12:11 AM

You are into a freeze in Maine.....

I grow 6-hour-sunlight roses from Maine....if you would (chearish) a Black Twig - how would you like it .... Rootone (hormone/plastic) or in waxed parafine?

Have you successfuly BUD grafted before?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 12:02 AM

Maeve-

Are you requesting Black-Twig Scions?

Do you have a tree for top working?

We have a six week window between fall-harvest (IMMEDIATE) and spring-bloosem.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 10:32 PM

I planted a couple of Irish varieties, one called April Queen, the other I forget the name, but they should cross-pollinate; I aquired them from Irish Seed Savers who are doing a wonderful job for local provenance.

Unfortunately, where I live is very exposed, being 400ft up a mountain, facing all the elements which blast in from the SW (i.e. the Atlantic); I've either had blossom or apples forming, but they've always (so far) been torn off by the wind. I am gradually getting more shelter from a hedge which I planted around the haggard so, here's hoping!

http://www.irishseedsavers.ie

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 07:53 AM

Thanks Gargoyle, for more info on Black Twig. Hmmm, I wonder if we can track down some scions. By the way, Mauve is a good color, but I'm maeve.

Guest, Jim Martin- Do you have a place to plant an apple tree at home?
Then you coulds graft on any of the local varieties you wanted. The scions are available over there.

Dave's wife- I bet that would be tasty. I've know folks who enjoyed raw rhubarb eaten the same way!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 12:09 AM

We used to eat those little green crab apples with salt when we were kids. Just salted them and ate them but you were in for a world of woe if you ate more than two. (horrible abdominal cramps - diarhea)

They are nice in a chutney with vinegar, onions, cucumbers and some sour cherries

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 11:28 PM

To: Mauve
RE: Why Black Twig??????

It is crisp..............................................................................................it is tart........................it has a touch of sweetness....................................................................................and is FULLY apple-flavored............................

without those boutigue
strawberry - raspberry - plum
NUANCES/ANNOYANCES!!!

It is an "earthy apple" .................................................................................one..................worthy.............................of..........................tempting....................................Adam....................in ......THE GARDEN.......

It is small enough to eat alone.....without having to share......

................................ it is also RARE

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 10:29 PM

Just cannot for the life of me, find any indigenous varieties in shops here in Ireland - so I tend to go without rather than support the outrageous food-miles syndrome!

Will we ever, ever get a sane world?

Subject: RE: BS: Your favorite antique apple varieties
From: maeve
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 09:12 AM

Ha! That figures, Kendall. That would hurt! Dis you ever jam a small green apple on the end of a long stick, then lob the apple out at your brothers?

I believe that we'll try drying them instead of throwing them.

maeve