What kind of apples grow on that gnarly old tree in your back yard or woodlot? The Sandwich Apple Project will try to identify those apples at Discovery, October 1, 1 to 5 PM at Range View Farm, Sandwich, NH. Ben Watson, author of Cider, Hard & Sweet, will demonstrate how experts identify apples by shape, color, taste, texture and even fragrance. Watson will bring several heirloom apples for tasting.
The Project began last spring when members of the Sandwich Agricultural Committee met at Range View to graft a few twigs from an old tree at Lower Corners, the first settlement in Sandwich, and another from North Sandwich. Today, John Pries and Martha Carlson have launched the Sandwich Apple Project with the goal of finding lost heirloom apples. Next spring, twigs from Discovery trees can be grafted onto new rootstock so the apples can be brought back into production.
The first settlers who arrived in Sandwich in 1776 planted orchards as soon as they cleared the forest. Sandwich once produced enough apples to fill a dozen railroad cars that left Ossipee Junction each fall for Boston markets.
The Sandwich Apple Project invites anyone to bring a dozen or more apples from a mystery tree. The apples will be classified and photographed. Then each apple finder (or Discoverer) will hand around samples for tasting and tell any lore he or she knows about the apple.
Discovery is open to the public and is free. Anyone who wishes to bring apples should harvest the apple tree as soon as the apples ripen. Keep the apples in a cool place, away from bears, until October 1. Participants are invited to help Rudy Carlson make cider. Bring a peck or a bushel of apples and jugs for that. Participants are also invited to bring apple desserts for general tasting. For more information and to let us know you are coming, contact [email protected]. Range View Farm is at 342 Vittum Hill Road, Sandwich. Apples and apple Discoverers from other towns are welcomed.
The Project began last spring when members of the Sandwich Agricultural Committee met at Range View to graft a few twigs from an old tree at Lower Corners, the first settlement in Sandwich, and another from North Sandwich. Today, John Pries and Martha Carlson have launched the Sandwich Apple Project with the goal of finding lost heirloom apples. Next spring, twigs from Discovery trees can be grafted onto new rootstock so the apples can be brought back into production.
The first settlers who arrived in Sandwich in 1776 planted orchards as soon as they cleared the forest. Sandwich once produced enough apples to fill a dozen railroad cars that left Ossipee Junction each fall for Boston markets.
The Sandwich Apple Project invites anyone to bring a dozen or more apples from a mystery tree. The apples will be classified and photographed. Then each apple finder (or Discoverer) will hand around samples for tasting and tell any lore he or she knows about the apple.
Discovery is open to the public and is free. Anyone who wishes to bring apples should harvest the apple tree as soon as the apples ripen. Keep the apples in a cool place, away from bears, until October 1. Participants are invited to help Rudy Carlson make cider. Bring a peck or a bushel of apples and jugs for that. Participants are also invited to bring apple desserts for general tasting. For more information and to let us know you are coming, contact [email protected]. Range View Farm is at 342 Vittum Hill Road, Sandwich. Apples and apple Discoverers from other towns are welcomed.