News blurb #1

Bottom Flap, Front page, Right side bar USA Today. PROLIFIC APPLE PRODUCTION, the 2004 apple Crop had the largest yeild in years. Average annual yeild per acre (in tons) up since last year. It's been trending upward from 11.6 in 1993 to 13.5 in 2004.
http://www.usda.gov/nass/

Thsi of course is basicly a lie. While the yeild per acre has increased slightly, the number of acres has dropped like a rock. http://www.usda.gov/nass/aggraphs/histbaap.htm


Why would they propogate this lie? Maybe because apples are a great symbol of our rich American culture. Maybe the idea that your granny Smiths somce from Turkey is unappealing for politically aware consumers. I dont know. BUT GET YOUR POLITICS OUR OF MY APPLE ORCHARD!

Apple #1 OZARK GOLD

I got off of Route 70 West on the way to St. Louis in response to the signs. I met Mr. Grissom himself and learned much. His command of apple lore was top notch and he is the proud cultivar of numerous antique varieties, some of which were new to me. I bought a bag of Ozark golds which are not an antique variety. You can see a nice close up at this lovely site: http://www.applejournal.com/gal004.htm

They are a relative of the golden delicious but do not share the grainy texture. Instead they are oddly watery and not as sweet. Their flavor is concentrated in the skin which persists in the mouth. I had a slice and was very surprised.

more here:
http://horticulture.missouri.edu/apple/ozarkgold.htm