An Apple a Day

Shan says the McIntosh was a well established tree when they came to live on the hill. That was in 1972. It has delivered the promise of the spring blossoms for many falls now. This year-- we too-- were some of the lucky harvesters. Thank you Shan and Dean.

Premier pie apple is this varieties' main claim to fame. How can you beat it for just plain eating? Wow! I do plan to use some for sauce and apple butter, and of course, there will be pies.

In our little orchard, my favorite tree is the Spartan. Reading about the history of the McIntosh, I was surprised to find that the Spartan is a cross between the McIntosh and the Newtown Pippin. I planted it to mark Russell's decision to join the Marines. It is a fine apple of crisp white flesh. It is so sweet---it stands alone as a desert.



Apples seem to be some of the hardiest of the orchard fruits planted. There is nothing quite so poignant as an abandoned old farm with ancient apples still trying to give what they can. Traveling with our long handled picker in the car at this time of the year, lets us connect to hands long gone back to the earth. I always wonder who the person was who planted the trees we find on our backcountry paths. Working the dirt is a universal and timeless pleasure I believe that will become more important in the not too distant future.