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Garden Gate:  Apples  |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 20 2014 : 06:08:35 AM
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History fact about apples for today. How many of you love the popular Fiji apple? I know I enjoy eating this variety a lot. It seems that the origins of this apple started in Virginia with Thomas Jefferson obtaining some apple cuttings given to him by Edmund Charles Genet, the French Minister to the US from 1793-1794. Jefferson sent these these cuttings on to Virginia nurseryman, Caleb Ralls, who then grafted them and spread them throughout Virginia and into western territories. The "Ralls Genet" variety became a favorite in the Ohio Valley because it tolerated late Spring frost. The enthusiasm for this variety died out until 1939 when a Japanese breeder crossed the Ralls Genet with the Red Delicious and created the Fuji that we all love still today. Today, the Fuji lists as the Third most popular variety of eating apple in the US overtaking Granny Smith, which is now #4 in popularity.
Peter Hatch, who is the director of Jefferson's Monticello home, says this. "We like to say that Thomas Jefferson was not only the author of the Declaration of Independence and the father of the University of Virginia, but probably the grandfather of the "Fuji"."
How cool is this bit of history?? Being born and raised in Charlottesville, Va., which is the home of the University of Virginia and viewable from the Monticello South Pavilion area, maybe I was born with apple fascination in my blood. After all, Amherst County is right beside Albemarle County where Mr. Ralls was busy at work creating a future high performing apple. Apple is just in the soil, so to speak. hehehe, it was inevitable that this girl ended up with apples on the brain!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2014 : 06:10:49 AM
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Oops.. I see a typo error in the first sentence. Not Fiji but Fuji! I stand corrected!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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delsgirl
Farmgirl in Training
12 Posts
Suzie
Enumclaw
Wa
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2014 : 7:50:33 PM
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| What a GREAT topic!! My dad loved his apple trees and had many, mostly NW varieties, Buckley Giant (local favorite), McGouan, Transparents, and a few more I can't remember. My brother and I both got our love of our apple trees from him! Teri, I soooo appreciate you posting the recipe for the Apple Bread, I misplaced my copy several years ago, and alas, my best apples for that bread are done for the year, but am going to try what I have coming on next! Again, thanks for posting it!! |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 06:01:44 AM
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Suzie, I have never heard of any of those apple varieties and I sure wish I could taste them to see how they differ. That is the thing about apples, once you dig a little deeper. There are lots of varieties that have been growing locally for generations and the rest of us never have had the fun of tasting them or cooking them up into a recipe. Apples on the farm were considered part of the staple food crop until the beginning of the 20th Century when agriculture became more mechanized. People locally grafted trees with other local trees and came up with new varieties that never left that area. Apples help to tell the story of family farms and part of why we think of apple pie as the all american classic. Everyone grew apples and used them for eating all year long. In my opinion, apple pie for breakfast with a slice of cheddar cheese on top and a cup of coffee is about as good as it gets! And don't even get me started on homemade apple cinnamon donuts!!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1682 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 1:44:44 PM
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Winnie, Love that song book. At our old house we had planted a few apple trees (Red Delicious). In the spring they would have beautiful blooms. I would make apple butter, and apple sauce. We would also eat them. Fresh apples are the best. My granddaughter this summer wanted me to save the apple seeds from some apples, so she could plant them and hopefully have a tree or two at my other house that we have been in for many years. Love apples.
Laurie
"Smile and be yourself everyday"
Country girl at heart
Laurie
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 6:12:25 PM
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I have, accidently, gotten apple seeds to sprout,,,, I left the seedlings back in Washington with the people who bought our home... I am to afraid to ask if the seedlings are doing well...
That being said, I now have 5 "pink lady' seeds in a yougart cup, sprouting... who knows... but I am keeping my fingers & eyes crossed for success!
Great topic!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2014 : 05:54:32 AM
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Grace, you will have to let us know if these sprouting seeds make it into viable tree seedlings that you plant. How fun would that be to have your own orchard raised from seeds of Pink Lady variety!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4188 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4188 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2014 : 4:10:40 PM
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Sorry have not been back here to comment! We have sweet sixteen, cortland, fireside, honey crisp, and darn I can't remember the other two. But going with all different kinds. My current favorite is fireside. They are so good!
just a girl farming in WI
Michele |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2014 : 4:57:35 PM
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MIchele, I understand that Wisconsin is a good place to grow some other winter hardy apples. The Honey Crisp make it down here in the stores later this fall and they are wonderful. Crisp and juicy! The other varieties you mentioned are unknown to me but I bet they are delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 07:00:47 AM
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How many of you have heard of the legendary Johnny Appleseed? I grew up with that story and a few years ago, I found this book online. Author, Ophia D. Smith, did a scholarly search on the topic and compiled her information in this lovely little book.
Johnny Apple seed was actually John Chapman, born 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts. John's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His mother died when he was two and John was partly raised by relatives. By age 18, John Chapman was aware of the westward immigration trend and anxious to embark on a vision of his own. By the 1790s, John was a practicing nurseryman and a missionary of the Swedenborg faith. He referred to himself as a Bible Missionary not eh Potomac River. In addition to spreading his faith to those who were interested, he planted apple seeds all up and down the fertile valley of the Muskingum River in Liking county , Ohio. By 1809, his apple trees were ready for market. John Chapman followed fertile river valleys as far west as Richmond, Indiana. With apple seeds in his boat, he floated down the rivers from the East coast west to the lower limits of Kentucky/Ohio border and northward to the banks of Lake Erie. His peaceful manner allowed him to make friends with some of the Native Americans at times.
John Chapman's life has been surrounded by stories of him as a local folk hero. He dressed in a buttonless shirt, short tattered trousers, a tow-linen coffee sack for a coat and a tin pot for a hat. He went barefoot in the summer and wore some sort of moccasins in the winter. The pot was used for cooking his meals. His diet consisted of nuts and fruits in season and mush which he cooked in his tin pot. He refused to eat meat on principal of sanctity of life. He lived in complete harmony with nature as he spent his life creating apple nurseries along fertile river banks. Even as he aged and grew frail, he would walk along side of his horse pulling his cart of seeds but never ride on the horse. He was known for taking on mistreated horses and would care for them until he found them proper homes where they would be treated kindly. He died in 1842 of pneumonia at the home of a friend and buried two miles north of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Such an interesting man in colonial America and responsible for spreading apple trees as far west and north as Detroit area. Imagine dedicating your entire life to the tending and growing of apple trees!
Growing up, I remember our Girl Scout prayer which was used to be respectful of girls from all faiths. The prayer was sung in a very simple tune together.
"The Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord,
For giving me the things I need,
The sun, the rain, and the appleseed.
The Lord is good to me."
Do you have any tidbits to share about Johnny Appleseed? Did you know this prayer?
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1682 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 09:00:14 AM
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Winnie, I grew up learning all about Jonny Appleseed. Oh that prayer brings back memories. Thanks for sharing. The little apple seeds my granddaughter planted are sprouting up. Hope they turn into trees.
Laurie
"Smile and be yourself everyday"
Country girl at heart
Laurie
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 10:29:13 AM
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Wow, Laurie, what fun that your granddaughter's apple seeds are sprouting! You must let us know when you plant them and how they fare over the winter. It is fun to know that you too knew about Johnny Appleseed and had heard the same prayer!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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wildflower17
True Blue Farmgirl
3043 Posts
Judy
KY
USA
3043 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 10:52:25 AM
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Winnie!!!I can't believe this...my sister who was in elementary school in the 1950's had to learn a poem about Johnny Appleseed...she can still say it today...the only part I know is this..."Of Jonathan Chapman two things are known...that he loved apples and he walked alone"...I am going to have to get her to tell me this again...what sweet memories I have of this and the apple orchard we had growing up in here Kentucky!!!
Hugs!
Judy
"Autumn~The year's last, loveliest smile."
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened...
"Country Girl at Heart...Blessed Beyond Measure"!!!
Farm Girl #5440
Farm Girl of The Month September 2013 |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 11:15:05 AM
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Yes, Judy, you have to let us know that Johnny Appleseed poem that you sister learned back in the 1950s! Thanks for sharing!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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Killarney
True Blue Farmgirl
5114 Posts
Connie
Arlington
TN
USA
5114 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 1:02:17 PM
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Winnie, I remember that from Grammar school, we even planted an Apple tree in our school yard in 1964!
Judy, That is such a great memory for you and your sister!
Hugs! Connie
Imagine....#3392
Farmgirl of the Month, August 2014 |
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wildflower17
True Blue Farmgirl
3043 Posts
Judy
KY
USA
3043 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 6:09:41 PM
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Girls...I love the sweet memories we have from days of old...I miss those days so much...my sister is 9 years older than me and a go getter...she knows what it's like to work on the farm and in the fields...we love to reminisce about old days...and the old ways...loved our grandmother and mom and dad...to the moon and back...Ms. Connie...love the picture:):):)and Ms. Winnie I will try to find out the words to the poem!!!
Hugs!
Judy
"Autumn~The year's last, loveliest smile."
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened...
"Country Girl at Heart...Blessed Beyond Measure"!!!
Farm Girl #5440
Farm Girl of The Month September 2013 |
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lorizspr
Farmgirl in Training
11 Posts
Lori
Spencer
Ohio
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2014 : 9:19:25 PM
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No apples for us this year! Our small orchard never blossomed, nor did any of our ancient trees surrounding the property. Last year I had more apples than I could handle! I made tons of applesauce, apple butter, tried apple jelly but no luck, apple pie filling, and froze bags of apple slices. Thankfully I still have stuff left yet, but I miss the smell of all those wonderful appples!
Lori |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2014 : 09:51:15 AM
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Hi everyone. A friend sent me this video link of an apple press still in use in Indiana. It comes from the late 1800s and is fascinating to watch it work. I also love the Amish community who are assisting with the big Apple Cider making process. I hope you enjoy!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GIsKYXS2bgQ
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3088 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3088 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 11:32:05 AM
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Winnie - I've been to see that press in person!!! Twice actually. It's truly amazing. And HUGE!!!!
Heather
Farmgirl Sister #4701
http://nndairy.blogspot.com/
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6606 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6606 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 12:13:41 PM
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Wow, Heather, that is very cool!! I would love to see it in action and taste some of the apple cider!! Is it an Amish community that owns it and uses it or do they just come to help?
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3088 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3088 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2014 : 1:32:42 PM
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There are a lot of Amish in the area, but I think it's the park that owns it now. There were no Amish running it when I was there. It's at a park on the edge of town and there's a museum too about the towns heritage - a lot of Amish and Mennonite history as well as business in the town and a few noteworthy people to the community. It was the Heritage days festival when I was there so I'm not sure what happens with the press the rest of the year.
Heather
Farmgirl Sister #4701
http://nndairy.blogspot.com/
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Garden Gate: Apples |
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Apples
