Winter 2010 1

Volume 30 Winter 2010 Newsletter of the Western Cascade Fruit Society THE ORCHARD By Lorine Brakken, Seattle Tree Fruit Society

When I hear the word ‘’, I think of people caroling from house to house with hopes of drinking spiced . Lately though, I am hearing

wonderful stories of another kind of Wassailing - this merriment takes place in

the orchard, my favorite place. The Orchard Wassail is held around the Twelfth Inside: Night (Jan 17th) in the cider producing areas of England and might have roots in

pagan history. The point was to be merry, sing, drink, and ‘toast’ to the Message from Our President p. 3 trees for next year’s good health and bountiful harvest. This merriment in the Figs p. 4 orchard was to stir the trees to good health and chase off any bad energy Summer and Fall Fruit Shows lurking in the orchard. p. 5 The tradition varies by region but most have similar elements. There is a King Bumper Raspberry crop and Queen to lead the festivities from orchard to orchard. The Queen is lifted p. 7 up into the tree where she hangs toasted bread soaked in cider. This is literally Vogel’s Views p. 8 ‘toasting’ the tree. I’m informed that cups are held high in toasts extolling the The Mad Scientist virtues of the fruit. Robins are said to enjoy the soaked bread also getting p. 9 toasted. Everyone is jolly. Book Riview p. 10 Quince Jam p. 11 Once presented with the offerings, blessings and hopes are spoken to Hoop Remesh Compost Bins the tree. Now follows much merriment and a “terrible racket” of drums and p. 12 pots and pans, culminating with the gunsmen giving a grand finale of shots American Japanese Fruit through the branches to chase off the last of the demons. Then on to the next Expedition p. 14 orchard. Haskap Arrives in North America p. 15 What a great racket and celebration of the harvest and bounty from the Winecrisp Apples orchards! I hear this practice is carried on today in England. This sounds like p.17 fun. I’m in. Chapter News p. 18 Try one of these Orchard Blessings on January 17: www.wcfs.org Wassaile the trees, that they may beare

You many a Plum and many a Peare: "Apple tree, apple tree, we all come to For more or lesse fruits they will bring, wassail thee, Bear this year and next As you do give them Wassailing. year to bloom and to blow, Hat fulls, cap fulls, three cornered Here's to thee, old apple tree, sack fills, Hip, Hip, Hip, hurrah, Holler boys, The BeeLine is a That blooms well, bears well. quarterly publication of holler hurrah."[3] Western Cascade Fruit Society, Hats full, caps full, Three bushel bags full, a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation in the An' all under one tree. Hurrah! Hurrah!” State of Washington. More on Page 2

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 2 Fruit Society

Traditional Apple Wassail rhymes Lori Brakken of STFS printed onto tracing paper using her Word program. She slipped the Word Here's to thee, old apple tree, strip under a Maggot Barrier and put a baggie Whence thou mayst bud over the Maggot And whence thou mayst blow! Barrier to keep it And whence thou mayst bear apples enow! dry. She and her Hats full! Caps full! husband then left Bushel--bushel--sacks full, for an extended And my pockets full too! Huzza! — South Hams of Devon, 1871 trip in late August. When Huzza, Huzza, in our good town she came home, The bread shall be white, and the liquor be brown she found this: So here my old fellow I drink to thee And the very health of each other tree. Well may ye blow, well may ye bear Blossom and fruit both apple and pear. So that every bough and every twig May bend with a burden both fair and big May ye bear us and yield us fruit such a stors That the bags and chambers and house run o'er. — Cornworthy, Devon, 1805

Stand fast root, bear well top Pray the God send us a howling good crop. Every twig, apples big. Every bough, apples now. — 19th century Sussex, Sur- rey

Apple-tree, apple-tree, Bear good fruit, Or down with your top And up with your root. — 19th century S. Hams.

Bud well, bear well

God send you fare well; Every sprig and every spray Old apple tree, we'll wassail thee A bushel of apples next New Year Day. — 19th century And hoping thou wilt bear. Worcestershire The Lord does know where we shall be To be merry another year. Here we come a wassailing To blow well and to bear well Among the leaves so green, And so merry let us be. Here we come a wandering Let every man drink up his cup So fair to be seen. And health to the old apple tree. Love and joy come to you, (Spoken) And to you your wassail too, Apples now, hat-fulls, three bushel bag-fulls, And God bless you and send you a happy New Year. tallets ole-fulls, barn's floor-fulls, little heap And God send you a happy New Year. — Somerset, under the stairs. 1871 Hip Hip Hooroo (3 times)

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org Winter 2010 3 MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT By Mark Youngs, Seattle Tree Fruit Society

Winter is a cold reminder that to everything make this happen, we need 20+ locations to there is a season. This last freeze broke low grow these experimental trees. The specific temperature records going back to 1972. I’m details will be provided by Judy in the near apprehensive about the survival of figs and the future. The research will probably be over a other cold sensitive plants in our landscape. five year period and after completion you will Now is the time to plan for next year’s garden keep the trees! If you or someone you know is and orchard adjustments. Based on last year’s interested in participating, please contact your success stories and failures, we plan to chapter President. Let’s make this happen! increase or decrease, add or eliminate new A special thank you to Carlyn Syvanen, plants, shrubs and trees. who has informed us of her desire to step down You are all invited to our WCFS member from her position of Co-editor of the BeeLine. I meeting which will be held after the Board of had the privilege of touring Italy’s orchards Directors meeting on March 14, 2010 at the UW with her on Dr. Norton’s trip and she is a Center for Urban Horticulture. You are more wonderful person indeed. She has done a than welcome to attend the Board meeting as marvelous job with Marilyn Couture keeping well. Get a close up view of how your our newsletter interesting and informative. organization works. Now we need a replacement to work with At our last Board of Directors meeting, we Marilyn. Having two editors not only divides decided to go ahead with the Cherry trials the workload but will also allow us to do more and use WCFS funds to finance them. This with the BeeLine. Anyone with a desire to learn project will evaluate Cherry rootstocks in our and serve in this area is encouraged to apply. individual areas, specifically Krymsk 5, Gisela 5, Fringe benefit is a free subscription to the and the new Gisela 3 which I’m told is more Good Fruit Grower. dwarfing yet. Variety trials will most likely be My prayer of peace and prosperity goes included at the same time. Here’s your out to you all. May your gardens and orchards chance to be directly involved with a research overflow with quality produce throughout the project that is funded by your WCFS dues. To coming season. Merry & Happy New Year! MOUNT VERSNON FRUIT RESEARCH LEFT WITH NO STAFF

Staff positions for the Tree Fruit Gary’s 30th year with WSU and Jacky’s 20th Horticulture program at WSU- year. We are sorry to see the end of the talks, Mount Vernon Northwestern seminars, bulletins, cultural trials, variety Washington Research & Ex- evaluations, scionwood sales and more. Both tension Center have been Gary and Jacky will be working in different ca- eliminated due to lack of pacities at WSU Mt. Vernon. Gary will be in- state funding. Dr. Stephen volved in wheat research with Dr. Jones and Jones, WSU Director, officially Jacky will assist Dr. Carol Miles. closes the program as of WCFS has always given financial and other January 1, 2010. Western support to fruit research organizations. Until the Cascade Fruit Society would WSU administration in Pullman is once again

like to thank Gary Moulton able to support fruit research west of the Cas- who led the fruit research program and Jacky cades, perhaps it’s time for WCFS to open a King, program assistant, for all their work and new chapter and consider undertaking its own dedication these many years. This year marks fruit research. Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 4 Fruit Society FIGS: ONE CROP IS NICE, TWO ARE WCFS NEW MEMBERS BETTER By Chuck Polance, Tahoma Chapter

When my King fig tree was finished producing in August, my Neveralla was just getting started, Thus, I was able to have a longer season of nutritious figs to enjoy. It is now the second week of November and Peninsula Fruit Club Tom & Bonita Williams I am still picking from my Neveralla fig tree Gayle Larson Joyce Wojcik daily. Although I had a small breba crop of a Hildegard Stone dozen figs, October is when the real health Jim & Sharon Stritzel South Sound Fruit Society benefits begins. There are at least 200 keepers. Vance & Nicole Vaught Harlin Baker I would recommend having a Neveralla for Kim Chaplin it’s long growing season, not to mention the Vashon Island Fruit Club Jan Cnossen excellent nutritional qualities of figs. In addition, Charon Scott-Goldman Sue Doolittle this particular variety has a low heat Betsy Edmunds Penny Locke requirement, grows well in cool coastal areas Marilyn Green David Lynch Ingela Wanerstrand Heather Saunders and will produce in partially shaded areas of Karen and Dave our Western Cascades gardens. Seattle Tree Fruit Society Shepard Nutrional Value of Figs Sheila Barker Loren J. Stern One Serving of 3-5 figs Carole Blakey Sandia Slaby Chris & John Cady Calcium 6% Copper 8% Jim Engan Olympic Orchard Folic Acid 2% Iron 6% Dave Hanower Society Magnesium 6% Niacin 2% Kerrr & Elizabeth Justin Ridle Phosphorous 2% Potassium 2% Hendricks Brian & Margaret Miles Phillips Hooks Tim & Carol Merrick Protein 1gr Thiamin 2% Gina Massoni Alan & Leilani Kingsbury Vitamin B6 6% Zinc 2% Cheri McMeins Julie Slagle Fiber 20% Cholesterol 10% Elisa Melfi Jim & Joyce Wheeler Nancy Streiffert Mike Doherty Judith Strong Jerry & Sue Carpenter SALT SPRINGS ISLAND APPLE FESTIVAL Paul Taub

Harry Burton has announced that The Salt Spring Apple Festival is now on Facebook. It was created by Ellie Parks. You are invited to The fig tree is noted as the Tree of Life join the group. To join go to http:// and Knowledge from Central Africa to the www.facebook.com/group.php? Far East. gid=218450961491&ref=nf The Bo tree, under which Buddha If you have Apple Festival material, photos, video or text, to contribute send it directly meditated, was a variety of the fig tree, to Ellie Parks at [email protected] a cutting of which purportedly is still It is also a great way to get to experience perpetuating in Ceylon the Apple Festival if you have never been there.

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org Winter 2010 5 SUMMER AND FALL FRUIT SHOWS By Bob Norton, Vashon Island Fruit Society

Thanks to great scheduling and a bit of arm I know? Well, I just happened to volunteer as a twisting, I participated in half a dozen fruit judge, working with two better-qualified profes- shows this past summer and fall, gaining valu- sionals. We agreed that every pie was a win- able information on fruit culture at every one. ner, but it challenged our ingenuity to come Here’s a brief summary. up with the categories (best crust, most attrac- August 15, WWFRF Summer Fruit Festival/ tive, best filling, for example). To top it off, I got Plum Symposium, WSU Research and Extension to take home the remains of a couple of the Center, Mt.Vernon winners, since two of the pie makers just hap- pened to be the daughters of Kristan Johnson and the one of our Vashon members, Western Washington Fruit Re- Terry Jansen. That way the search Foundation produced an pie plates got back to their outstanding, interesting, and rightful owners. A final note-- educational program with dem- the Piper Orchard has some onstrations, talks, tastings, tours heritage varieties (cultivars) and music. They had a panel and a very small group of vol- discussion with plum experts and unteers to manage the or- samples of perhaps twenty dif- chard. They can use some ferent plum and prune varieties help, especially at pruning as well as desserts and other time. So if you can pitch in, dishes made with plums. I was able to get a call Don Ricks at 206-351-8405 or don- couple of sticks of a plum variety that im- [email protected]. They also have a monthly pressed me greatly, Sanctus Hubertus, and, work party which is announced on their WEB since this was budding season, the buds are site--www.piperorchard.org. now grafted into a tree here on Vashon. This festival wasn’t just about plums; we saw a new October 3, Cloud Mountain Farm and Nurs- DVD on apple anthracnose control, featuring ery Annual Fruit Festival, Everson retired Plant Pathologist Dr. Ralph Byther. From I have wanted to attend this two-day event that I learned that the best time to control the for years and planned very early to avoid con- disease is in the summer rather than winter by flicts with other festivals at the same time, the pruning, burning, and /or cutting out cankers first weekend of October. Tom and Cheryl when the disease is dormant. While the fall Thornton, owners of Cloud Mountain, put on an and/or spring copper spray may provide some incredible program with samples of apples protection, it may be more important to treat (95), pears (15), grapes (50), blueberries small infections in the summer by burning with (frozen)(15), and uncounted varieties of black- a torch. Every chapter should have this DVD. berries, raspberries, kiwis, paw paws, persim- Foundation web site. http://www.wwfrf.org/ mons, medlars, quinces, and even peppers about.htm (they are fruits). You could buy ice cream, September 19, Piper Orchard Fruit Festival, commercially produced in Whatcom County Carkeek Park and made from locally produced fruit, e.g., aronia, seaberry, Cornelian cherry, Pinot Noir The Seattle Parks Dept. and the Piper Or- grape, and apple pie. This collection of fruit chard Society did a bang-up job of demon- matched or exceeded that of any at the West- strating fruit varieties and products, with edu- ern Cascade Fruit Society shows, and every- cational talks and a tour of the historic Piper thing was available for tasting and most for Orchard. They even had an apple pie contest purchase, either as product or plant material. with eleven entries, all of them great. How do Continued p. 6 Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 6 Fruit Society Continued from p. 5 shows in alternate years in Port Townsend and Fresh-squeezed cider was available for tasting Sequim. At both shows apple desserts are pre- or by the jug. I was tremendously impressed by pared the night before. Also, trees grafted the the festival and could say much more, but previous spring on dwarfing rootstocks are pot- maybe you need to see for yourself next year. ted and sold at a reasonable price. I have For details, get the Cloud Mountain catalog. done fruit ID for the past two years on the Email; [email protected] Olympic Peninsula and must say that these October 10, Vashon Island Fall Fruit Show folks have the most diverse group of varieties I What can I say. I’m prejudiced. Our have run into anywhere. I have seen a few va- show was unique in that it was held in conjunc- rieties which I couldn’t identify that were supe- tion with a “hard” cider festival sponsored by rior to most other named cultivars. When I run the local Vashon Rotary Club. Our show into them I try to arrange to get scionwood the started at 10 a.m. with the usual display of next spring. Who knows, they may become the about 150 fruit varieties which our plastic- next super-duper variety which originated as a gloved servers offered for tasting. Our show roadside seedling. That applies to all of us. If was outside under a tent at the Village Green you have something that no one can ID, and in the center of Vashon. We were able to it’s good, propagate it, test it, and see if it’s make fresh cider, with youngster participation, something unique. and sell the stuff along with scrumptious apple October 31, Seattle Tree Fruit Society Fall crisp until both ran out in the early afternoon. Show We had no educational program, I had to attend this show at the but, thanks to the participation from UW Center for Urban Horticulture be- our loyal supporters from the Penin- cause I wanted to work again with sula Club, we did have educational the best fruit ID person in the North- displays on fruit culture and pest con- west, Shaun Shepard from Portland. trol. After our show closed at 3 p.m., There aren’t many of these special the hard cider festival opened and people around. Dr. O. C. Compton yours truly was “forced” into judging and his wife, Mary, were the premium all the products offered by the 9 ci- ID people over the past 40 years, but deries from as far as France, Eng- they are gone. They taught folks in land, Milton Freewater, OR, Port the Home Orchard Society over the Townsend, and, of course, Vashon. years and Shaun may have been The results of my judging remain confidential, one of those students. Anyway, if you have and I was able to get home safely. the interest and a chance to work with Shaun, October 17, No fruit show. It was time to jump at it. He had his laptop along so that he start my own hard cider, which will ferment could bring up pictures of at least 100 or more slowly over the next two to three months cultivars to check them against samples that October 24, Olympic Orchard Society Fall were brought in. Lori Brakken of the Seattle Fruit Show, Sequim Club has made a significant contribution to I arrived in Sequim at about 3 p.m. on fruit ID with her excellent photography. Al- Friday and had a chance to witness the prepa- though I attended this show primarily to work rations and sharpen my ID skills for the next with Shaun, I couldn’t miss Tom Wood’s talk on day’s identification assignment. I was im- growing fruit in plastic greenhouses. I have vis- pressed by the number of volunteers who put ited his place near Centralia at least three on these shows on the Olympic Peninsula. As times, learning something new each time. This you may know there are two clubs there, the guy is ahead of his time in this kind of culture Olympic Orchard and the North Olympic. They and we can all learn from him. Maybe we can recently have decided to have their fall fruit just partially adopt some of his practices, such

Continued on p. 7 Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org Winter 2010 7 Continued from p.6 as growing in bags or fertilizing at each water- NORTHWEST FLOWER AND GARDEN ing or learning which varieties do best with some weather protection. Finally, I’ve got to SHOW hand it to those members in Seattle who have Turn your garden dreams into reality. Attend stepped up to fill the gap of no President the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, February (thankfully that has now been corrected), and 3-7, 2010, Washington State Convention Cen- no secretary. You did a great job with this ter, Seattle. For more information: including show, cramped into inadequate space. tickets, directions, parking, transportation A final word, I missed attending the please visit www.gardenshow.com or call 253- Peninsula Club’s show in Bremerton on Oct. 10 756-2121. (conflict with our show), and I also missed the Free daily seminars and demonstra- South Sound and Tahoma shows if they were tions: green ideas that emphasize sustainabil- held. It would be a good idea if the 2010 ity; small space gardening for condos and shows could be coordinated early through the apartments; beginners tips; planning ideas for WCFS so we could avoid unnecessary conflicts. the new garden; and advanced techniques It’s a great experience attending other clubs’ for specialty growing. shows. I certainly learned a lot from it this year.

BUMPER RASPBERRY CROP By Chuck Polance, Tahoma Chapter Four years ago I received six Heritage 2good2toss.com if you want to find any type of raspberry plants from a member of my Tahoma gardening plant or landscaping products in chapter. This was my first experience with your county. I was able to find free quince raspberry plants. I planted them 3’ apart in a plants, Indian plum, fertilizer, small greenhouse, fertile and sunny area of my garden where gravel, water barrels, etc. generally free but large fir trees had been cut down. The acidic sometimes for a very nominal cost. soil proved to be perfect for them to thrive. Did you know? Their shallow root system spread like wildfire!! Raspberries come in many colors besides Now I am returning the favor by giving away red: there are also black, purple and gold small plants to anyone who wants them. I put raspberries. an ad on 2good2toss.com and immediately Raspberries are a very healthy food; they had a very good response. Ten people E- are high Vitamin C and naturally have no fat, mailed me expressing interest in the plants and cholesterol or sodium. They are also a good I gave away over 200 within a week. source of iron and folate (which is used Many people expressed the fact that especially in treatment of low red blood cells or purchasing raspberries at the supermarket was anemia). prohibitive. Also, a bare, single “stick” to grow Raspberries contain a natural substance your own plant would cost $4-$5 each at the called ellagic acid, which is an anti- nursery. carcinogenic (cancer-preventing) compound. I was able to meet and speak with several Raspberries have been shown to lower high fruit growers who responded to my ad. Some blood cholesterol levels and slow release of offered me their raspberry plant varieties that carbohydrates into the blood stream of are growing in my garden now. For example, diabetics. Cascade Delight is a new, heavy yielding, Raspberries are high in fiber. Half to one large firm berry that is resistant to root rot. pound of raspberry fruit per day can provide Golden Summit is a beautiful, highly flavored twenty to thirty grams of fiber which is golden fruit that is a nice variation to my adequate for an adult daily nutrition garden. requirement. Lastly, I would recommend advertising on

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 8 Fruit Society VOGEL’S VIEWS By Phil Vogel, South Sound Fruit Scociety

I need a drip irrigation system for my Michael Laurie's BeeLine, Summer 2008 article backyard fruit trees and blueberries. They entitled “Fruit Growing with Water Efficiency.” need consistent watering on my restricted Michael's article outlines the need to grow our watering days of Mon, Wed and Sat. crops with the least and most Besides this being a hit-miss situation, I efficient amount of water. And drip realized that I needed more education irrigation is 90% efficient. Kourik’s on how trees use water. math formulas and Michael's website Recently, in going through the new references gave me answers about book section of the library, Drip seasonal and yearly evaporation Irrigation for Every Landscape and All rates which will help me to design Climates, 2009, by Robert Kourik and program a water delivery system appealed to me. The author has 30 to counter what Kourik refers to as years experience in the irrigation field evapotranspiration or ET. This will and was able to convince me that the keep the trees and shrubs top 18 inches are the most important consistently moist. I am grateful for to keep moist, not dry and not wet. Trees the BeeLine archive and will use some of need that solution in order to absorb nutrients. Michael's ideas especially variable emitters. Some trees need more and some less moisture. There are 12 chapters plus Appendices, The author does an excellent job of detailing Glossary, Suppliers, Web sites, Bibliography and the “plumbing of the drip irrigation system”, an Index. Other chapters of interest included: sharing the best from his experience. Now I Drip Irrigation for trees and Shrubs; Drip feel very confident that I could design a similar Irrigation for Vegetable Beds; Drip Irrigation system for my needs. with Cisterns and Tanks?; Controlling Your Drip Irrigation; Subsurface Irrigation—for trees and However, how does a person determine the lawns. amount of water to use in a given week during the summer as the season and our climate I highly recommend the book be used as a changes? In sharing the ideas of this book with reference and resource to Michael Laurie's another member, she suggested that I review 2008 article.

Board meeting highlights for 26 Sept 2009 participants. Meeting was called to order by President Chapter presidents will work together to put Mark young at 10:00AM. There were 11 out speaker information. members At Evergreen Farmhouse in Olympia. NEW BUSINESS Minutes From the last meeting and treasurer’s Winter meeting will be a teleconference on report were read and approved. December 5. Chapter reports highlights were given. Spring Meeting- will be March 20th at 9:00 at Carlyn reminded presidents that Chapter Center for Urban Horticulture reports need to get to her for submission in the Carlyn announced she would like to resign beeline. as Beeline Editor, She will write up a job OLD BUSINESS description The Beeline Archived editions are posted on For next meeting agenda add Discuss WCFS the website and have open access. Forum For the Cherry Trials, each participant Meeting adjourned needs room for 6 trees and we need 20 Respectfully submitted Jeb Thurow Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org Winter 2010 9 THE MAD SCIENTIST By Roger Eichmann, Nort Olympic Fruit Club

Worldwide September was haven't been able to find out the third coldest on record and what TA-65 is, so one cannot this year is headed for the determine how different it is from second stillest sun in a 100 resveratrol, if any. years. Only 1913 had less sun The fall issue of the Journal of the spots, so we are likely American Rhododendron Society (worldwide) to have a similar has an article "Soil Carbonization cold winter. and Its Implications" by Scott Better tuck in your tender Bidstrup. He reports on studies plants with extra care and where carbon added to poor soil mulch for they could get helped enrich it, such that it damaged, and hope the mild became very productive. What is el nino will moderate our local still unclear is whether charcoal climate some. carbon helped, or if it was the The world effect will show in physical structure of the charcoal China as it runs out of fuel and used that helped. What is food. They will need to start needed is a test of poor soil using buying on the world market so a charcoal additive compared to prices should rise. ground coal compared to lamp The swine flu is more virulent than generally black compared to graphite. Each is carbon recognized or it wouldn't even be around until but of different structural composition. Enough December through March. When the darkness charcoal to do much benefit would be of winter arrives and vitamin D gets depleted in expensive, but powdered coal would be the body, it will show its true virulence. I cheap. If it helps, the cost may be of less recommend everyone get on some vitamin D3 importance since it would last nearly forever, at 2,000-6,000 IUs per day and get a vaccine if so the annual cost would drop to a low possible. If a person should get H1N1 and the figure. I suspect the main effect is not the seasonal flu at the same time, it could get very chemical carbon, but the effect of activated difficult. Again, watch China, they will not do carbon on bacteria and soil microbes. I hope well so this may be the time to get in some to try adding different types of carbon to soil, extra supplies with a bigger wood pile. and we will see what happens. I doubt if we Much research is occurring in anti-aging and will ever see it spread across whole fields, but it is centered around telomeres, telomerase and may be of help around trees and in small the genetics of aging. Resveratrol seems to gardens. stop or slow down the destruction of telomeres North Olympic Fruit Club’s spring grafting on the chromosome ends thus slowing went very well. The fruit trees took nicely and Aging. Resveratrol is in small amounts in many grew well. They were potted in Short's "Magic plants such grape and apple skins. It is also in Soil" and left in the greenhouse until late larger amounts in the roots of polygonum May. By the fall sale, many of the trees had cuspidatum or knotweed. It is extracted with grown four feet from the graft. grain alcohol. Now, if someone would breed knotweed for higher production of resveratrol, it would make for a new crop. Healthy soils equals Another substance is TA-65 derived from the root of milk vetch. It costs $8,000 a year but healthy food equals does seem to add on telomeres, thus reversing aging: milk vetch also needs to be bred for healthy people. Increased production of TA-65. Unfortunately, I

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 10 Fruit Society BOOK REVIEW: IODINE WHY YOU NEED IT By Phil Vogel

Having read Minerals for the Genetic Code, kelp in their compost and soil amendments. “It I became interested in the role of iodine in our is estimated that the mainland Japanese in- lives. A magazine article had a book review of gest approximately 13.8mg of iodine per day, Iodine: Why You Need It And Why You Can't which is over 100 times the RDA.” Live Without It” by David Brownstein, M.D. I The author goes on to lay out the history and decided to buy it. causes of low iodine from our food (low iodine The author, a physician diagnosed the lack in the soil) to the use of toxic bromine, fluoride, of iodine in himself then decided to see how chlorine and perchlorate. He has a long list of many of his patients and office staff also had a symptoms and diseases which indicate a lack lack of iodine. 90% of his patients and col- of iodine. Let me mention a few: ADD/ADHD; leagues were low or very low with resulting Breast diseases; excess mucus production; health challenges. headaches; hemorrhoids; infections and about I have a chronic hypothyroid problem; low 15 others. Iodine is an antibacterial, antican- energy at times, poor concentration, low basal cer, antivirual, antiparasitic, elevates PH, mu- temperature and feeling of being cold. I also colytic agent. Very necessary it would seem. lived a good part of my life in the Mid-West The author urges people to get tested for which is very low in soil iodine. Yes, I use sea the amount of iodine that they have in their salt and eat some kelp. I also eat salmon a system. He also goes on through case histories couple of times a week on average. However, to describe the treatment protocols with vari- I am still not getting enough iodine in my diet. ous types of iodine supplementation, mainly Iodized salt only gives us 1/30th to 1/300th the Lugols Solution and Iodoral. If you have been amount of iodine that we need daily accord- born and raised in this area, you may have ing to the author. He says that this tiny RDA ap- plenty of iodine in your system. proved amount keeps us from getting goiters. But based on the authors research, testing My grandmother had a goiter; she was born for iodine in patients and chronicling the pa- and lived most of her life in Wisconsin. tients outcomes, I am convinced that I can en- People born and living in Japan have a low hance my own well being and energy by in- incidence of cancers especially breast and creasing my intake of iodine. I am going to ask prostate because of the iodine intake from sea to be tested the next time I see my health care vegetables and fish. Also, because they use provider. The book provides resources and in- dex. A RESPONSE TO THE MAD SCIENTIST By Patrick Volk, Olympic Orchard Society Interesting observation - the sunspot cycle is bristlecone pines growing in Nevada and east- indeed at a historic low. But it is not just El Nino ern California. and sunspots that affect our climate. CO2 lev- "Tree rings in the last half a century have els and "Global Warming" are other factors, been 0.58 millimetres wide on average, com- however controversial, to note just two. pared to 0.38 mm wide in the 4750 years pre- See "Climate change gives ancient trees ceding the period, the study found." growth spurt" at http://www.newscientist.com/ Their messages may be encoded, but at least article/dn18161-climate-change-gives-ancient- trees don't take sides in the debate!:-) trees-growth-spurt.html for an interesting study Regardless of climate models or theories, a of the best record keepers we have nearby of cold winter is always possible. So in that I climate over the past few millenia - Great Basin agree: Be prepared, Viva la mulch!

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org Winter 2010 11 GIULIANI’S VAN DAMM GOOD QUINCE JAM By Greg Giuliani, Seattle Tree Fruit Society

Tried my hand at quince jam the Sunday didn't trust this advise, sounded too good to be before Thanksgiving. I'd planted a couple true, so I added a package of store bought quince of the Van Damm variety several years pectin as insurance against runny jam. It's ago but they never fruited until this year. Didn't frustrating to later tip the jar and learn you know how to determine when quince are ripe, have made syrup instead of jam. Unintended ready to harvest. They turned yellow as runny jam is a scourge for jam makers, a bane summer ended, The signal came when they fell for the perfectionist. I flirt with runny jams off the tree. They are hard and do not bruise because I rebel against cooking instructions. easily. Ignored, the quince languished in a cool Most instructions call for, what appears to me, mud room for a while, when the stem end almost equal parts fruit and sugar. Don't want started rotting I cut that out and put them in to eat a little fruit with my sugar. That much the fridge. Decision time came a couple sugar seems unhealthy, a mild, seducing form weeks later, either preserve or compost the of subtle poison. I try to minimize my intake of quince. From several sources I remember both commercially manufactured sugar substances. reading, hearing and maybe tasting how Any suggestions how to make quality jam with delicious quince jam and jellies were. Larry a low sugar content? On the other hand, hope Davis may have offered tastings of quince jam I don't end up a quince super ball the shape of at past Fall Fruit Shows. All I knew is I wanted try a wide mouth pint. and make some. At the Fall Fruit Show the "master preserver" Website preparation directions were very lady strongly recommended sterilizing the similar. Leave the skin on, quarter the fruit, do canning container before filling. I'd always not remove core and seeds, they have much washed them but didn't spend the time to pectin. Barely cover with water and cook sanitize, and lived to tell about it. I'd only about 20 minutes until tender. The fruit preserved jams and apple sauce, both fairly tenderizes, the core part does not. When cool safe. A hot water bath is usually enough to handle separate the core and recommended to sterilize the jars, here is a seeds from the meat. I took a masher and quick alternative. Put your clean jars in the squished the softened meat. Very therapeutic, oven, heat to 200 F, takes about 5 minutes, relieved some of my inner hostility. Put the pulp fairly energy efficient if you don't intend to end back on the heat, added a few tablespoons of the process with a hot water bath. If anyone is lemon juice, then sugar to taste as the slurry a rake-a-holic, please come over I have a few began to boil, continued boiling for 3 minutes. for you on the ground. They'll wait if you are Most instructions said quince has enough self currently busy. contained pectin to firm up the jam. Well, I Attention WCFS Members Don't be left out in the rain. Join your fellow orchardists and subscribe to the Forum. This is a benefit of membership and is closed to the general public. Simply send an email to: http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/wcfs .and follow the prompts. Judi Stewart, Forum Administrator

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 12 Fruit Society CIRCULAR HOOP REMESH COMPOST BINS By Pat Volk, Olympic Orchard Society

Last summer I constructed circular compost needed air infiltration. When estimating yield, bins with hoops of 6"x6" welded 8 guage wire bear in mind composted material shrinks to 1/3 remesh. I found it was relatively cheap, easy or less of the original volume. If loading seems to construct and use, durable, self supporting, too hard and the full capacity is not needed, no posts or boards to rot, and had good air ex- the hoops could be lowered by 6" or even 12" posure. Also it is neater, easier to keep moist by cutting vertical wires down to suit. But don't and thus more efficient than uncontained go too low -volume should be 1 cu yd or piles. greater (about 2.5' high for a 4' diameter) throughout the process to allow the interior to Notes on construction and use: Extra hands stay warm. "Topping off" early in the process help greatly in removing tight wire curl when can ensure that the decomposing pile main- unrolling remesh and cutting individual hoops tains such an efficient volume through comple- to length. It is best to cut 8 ga (.128" diameter) tion. steel wire with bolt cutters. A distant second is to use a hacksaw or Sawzall. Keep material in the hoops damp (but not sopping wet). Shredding all materials before Clip horizontal wires about 1" past desired adding will speed up the process by increasing vertical wire endpoints, then use pliers to bend the surface area available for fungi and bac- back 180 degrees, or use a file to smooth sharp teria to work on. Getting close to a 30 or 40 to ends. Tie hoops together with smaller tie wires 1 Carbon/Nitrogen ratio will yield a fast and or rope "hot", >140 deg. F, pile that will kill weed seeds (anything that can be easily cut and re- and pathogens. However, don't obsess on the newed, or untied and re-tied). Unfasten and ratio, decay happens naturally either way. Just peel the remesh away from the pile whenever know that too much nitrogen can produce needed for harvest, or for optional turning. odors and slime, and too little results in slower Don't bend the remesh excessively, and it and colder decomposition. should last a very long time. Surface rust will A diameter under 5' is a practical limit for form but is harmless. Bottom wires in contact enabling internal air exposure, especially if the with the ground are most at risk for serious rust, pile is not turned. A 3' diameter is the lower flip hoops over after each batch to extend limit, both for efficient composting volumes their useful life. and stability of a tall pile. A 4' 3" diameter pile is Bending the horizontal 8 ga. remesh wire working well for me: a batch ends into integral hooks is tempting (I did this Continued on p. 13 on my first hoops) but the pressure of the mate- rial inside the hoops prevents simple unhook- ing. Unhooking is desireable, because a fin- ished heap with a cubic yard or more is too heavy (1200-1600 Ibs/cu yd, depending on wa- ter content) to easily tip over for access. If inte- gral hooks are tried, they can always be cut later. Such hoops can still be used with ties. These remesh hoops are a good compro- mise between ease of access and capacity. The 5' height with diameters between 4' and 5' will handle a lot of material while still allowing

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org started at the end of Sept. reduced in volume Winter 2010 13 Continued from P. 11 by more than half during Octo- ber. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY A 150’ roll of 5’ high, 6x6 remesh, costs about GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES $ 130 at Home Depot. Out of that one can WORKSHOPS make 10, 11, or 12 hoops, depending on Many farmers are seeking information about whether you make bins of 4.6, 4.1 or 3.8 foot good agricultural practices in response to diameters. See chart below. recent food borne outbreaks associated with produce. This course will provide specific # Hoops roll 10 11 12 information regarding on-farm produce food Cost $ 13.01 11.83 10.84 safety or Good Agricultural Practices, GAPs. Cut lengths 15.0 13.6 12.5 Several commodity groups have established guidelines for good agricultural practices; Circumference 14.5 13.0 12.0 however, differences in recommendations Diameter (ft) 4.6 4.1 3.8 leave producers wondering how to proceed. Speakers represent a multi-disciplinary group of Hoop Compost Bin Capacity WSU faculty and regulatory agencies and will Circumference Dia (ft,in) (cu yds) offer science - based information. 12 3'10" 2.1 A two-series workshop will be offered. Session 1 12.5 4' 2.3 will provide a GAPs overview and initial 13 4' 1.5" 2.5 guidance on implementing on-farm food safety practices. Session 2 will offer participants 13.5 4' 3.5" 2.7 the opportunity to work with speakers to 14 4’ 5.5" 2.9 address food safety issues specific to their 14.5 4' 7.5" 3.1 farming system. Participants attending both sessions will receive a certificate of FRESHLOCAL FOOD STORE OPENS IN participation. The information provided in the workshop will assist growers in preparing for 3rd BREMERTON party GAPs certification. Session 2 locations By Sally Loree and Gayle Larson, Peninsula and information will be provided at a later Fruit Club date. FreshLocal is a store owned by local food Visit the food safety website for registration producer-members, offering locally sourced and updated information: vegetables and fruits, meats, eggs, dairy http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/ products, grains and honey, plus locally prepared foods, smoked salmon and cheese, For more information contact: baked goods, soups, stews and salads, spice GAPS: Karen Killinger, Ph.D. mixtures, herbal teas, and locally roasted fresh WSU Assistant [email protected] whole bean coffee. In addition, the store will great opportunity for local fruit growers to sell carry a large selection of organic bulk fall-ripened apples and pears, long after the commodities, enough to fill the gaps in local Farmers’ Markets have closed for the season. production and comprise a complete, high There is no minimum quantity required, as there quality and nutritious diet. will be many producers to help fill the shelves. Offering fresh, quality groceries in an area FreshLocal is located at 540 Fourth St. in that lacks them is only one reason for the store. Bremerton and will open in November. For Another is to give local farmers, gardeners, more information, visit the website at bakers and other food producers an outlet for www.freshlocal-bremerton.com. There you’ll their goods. Producer-members pay a $50 find out more about how this producers’ co-op annual fee and are able to sell their fruit, works and how to sell your own fruit and vegetables and other food items at the store. vegetables there. Since the store will be open year-round, this is a

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 14 Fruit Society AMERICAN JAPANESE TEMPERATE FRUIT EXPEDITION TO HOKKAIDO AND NORTHERN HONSHU By Joseph D. Postman, Oregon State University In September 2009, U.S. and Japanese scien- ful genes for cultivated plant improvement. This tists collaborated on an expedition to collect plant collecting expedition to Hokkaido and genetic resources of temperate fruit genera Northern Honshu was undertaken because ac- throughout Hokkaido, and Northern Honshu, cessions of Actinidia, Corylus, Fragaria, Lo- Japan. This expedition was a collaboration be- nicera, Malus, Pyrus, Ribes, Rubus, Sorbus, and tween the United States Department of Agri- Vaccinium were under-represented in the US culture, the Japanese Ministry of Forestry and National Plant Germplasm System from this re- Fisheries, and Akita Agricultural University, Ja- gion. These species are not specifically pre- pan. Plant and seed materials that were col- served or available from Japanese genebanks lected were shared between the scientists of on an exchange basis. Japanese botanists both countries. know of these species so agreement was The expedition toured many localities in Hok- made, working through the Japanese gene- kaido and northern Honshu which is generally bank to obtain these plants through expedi- at the 45th parallel as is Kaiser, Oregon (north of tion. Salem). email: [email protected] Different ecosystems were visited including voice: 541-738-4220 fax: 541-738-4205 http:// upland forest, coastal marshes, upland bogs, www.ars.usda.gov/pwa/corvallis/ncgr and dense forests. The expedition obtained 147 seed and plant samples from Hokkaido CHECK IT OUT and Northern Honshu representing 20 genera and 53 species. The temperate fruit, nut and specialty crop genera collected include: Acti- www.holmesteadfarms.blogspot.com by nidia, Chaenomeles, Corylus, Crataegus, Em- Mary Ornstead, Amy Beth and Toby Holmes of petrum, Gaultheria, Humulus, Fragaria, Lo- Vashon Island Fruit Club. nicera, Lycium, Malus, Mentha, Humulus, This link has been provided with written Prunella, Potentilla, Pyrus, Ribes, Rubus, Sorbus, permission. There are great observations and Vaccinium and Vitis. Plant and seed acces- articles from Holmestead Farms on Vashon sions from this trip will be preserved at and dis- Island. tributed from the USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon. See the last entry about Cascadeberries Morphological and molecular evaluation of this germplasm will be conducted at the USDA ARS Corvallis Repository and the Japanese Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries, National Insti- tute of Fruit Tree Science, Tsukuba, Japan. Temperate fruit and nut species are highly diverse in Asia. Many species have surprising similarities, yet unusual differences between lo- cations in the Pacific Rim countries. Western botanists and horticulturists have had limited opportunity to examine some Asian species. Additional samples of Asian species of fruit and nut trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs could pro- vide answers concerning plant phylogenetic Our extra audience for the Olympic relationships as well as increase genetic diver- Orchard Society 2009 Pruning sity available to plant breeders. Disease resis- Demonstration. tant and cold hardy plants could provide use- Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org Winter 2010 15 HASKAP ARRIVES IN NORTH AMERICA Dr. Maxine Thompson, Oregon State University

Haskap berries are native to Hokkaido, the introduction of this subspecies to North northern Island of Japan. Historically, wild- America. growing plants provided one of the few fruits Haskap characteristics available to the Aniu people, the indigenous Plants are long-lived, deciduous shrubs to population on this island. They appreciated about 6 feet in height and width, similar in their taste and also recognized their high growth habit and size to highbush blueberries. nutritional value. In 1967, the Japanese began Growth habit may be very upright to very a program to domesticate this fruit. They spreading or drooping. Flowers are cream- collected and propagated outstanding plants colored to light yellow and although small form the wild, established regional trial plots to (about 3/4" long) their abundance creates an evaluate adaptability in different climates and attractive flowering shrub in spring. Flowering is to identify the very best selections. Plants were early; it occurs during March to early April in distributed to interested farmers who formed a Corvallis, a period during which frosts are growers cooperate to develop and market common. The Japanese claim that flowers at haskap processed products. Unfortunately, the full bloom can withstand to about 15º F original acreage and production of haskap without damage, so spring frost damage has declined in recent years should not be a problem. because hand-harvesting is Plants are primarily self- cost-prohibitive. Farms are incompatible; that is, they small and there is no berry will not set fruit with their harvesting machines in own pollen so, in order to Hokkaido. obtain good crops, it is Haskap belongs to necessary to plant two Lonicera caerulea L., a different cultivars for cross- wide ranging species in pollination. Bees are the northern regions of Eurasia main pollinators, especially

and North America. The bumble bees and blue species, commonly called blue honeysuckle is orchard (or mason) bees that fly at lower divided into several subspecies base on distinct temperatures than the less important morphological traits and ecological honeybees. adaptations. Russian scientists have developed Fruits mature very early, before or with early many cultivars mainly from the Russian subsp. strawberries. In Corvallis, harvest occurs edulis and kamtschatica, which are well throughout May and early June. Generally, adapted to the severely cold regions of Russia, fruits on a given bush do not mature at the but not to more moderate climates. A few of same time, so there may be an extended these are currently being marketed in North harvest period, necessitating multiple harvests. America as "honeyberries". Haskap belongs in However, on some bushes the first fruits to the subspecies emphyllocalyx. As compared mature remain on the bush until all others are to Russian subspecies, plants are different ripe enough, so a single harvest may be morphologically and they are adapted to possible, an important feature for mechanical more moderate climates. "Haskap", the original harvesting. Ainu name for this berry, is used by the Among the seedlings, fruits vary Japanese industry and I think it appropriate to considerably in all traits. Fruit color is basically retain this unique name to distinguish this blue with a whitish bloom, similar to that of superior, new berry from the various ill-adapted blueberries, although some are somewhat blue honeysuckle plants currently in the North reddish. Size varies from 0.5 gm to 2.0 gm per American nursery trade. In 2000, we collected berry. Fruit shapes are rarely round; they are seeds in Hokkaido from Japanese haskap more elongate, varying from oval, ovate, selections. As far as I know, this was the first Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 16 Fruit Society

oblong, to cylindrical. Fruit texture varies from WCFS OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS very soft and juicy to firm enough to hold up President Mark Youngs well in storage for at least 2 weeks. There may [email protected] be up to 20 seeds per fruit, but these are small Vice President Ron Weston and soft so not noticeable when eating fruits. [email protected] Flavors are much more pronounced and Secretary Jeb Thurow mostly more tart than blueberries, so their best [email protected] use will be in processed products. However, Treasurer Hildegard Hendrickson several seedlings among one progeny have [email protected] fruits that, although small in size, are mild Directors enough to enjoy eating fresh. The unique 2010 Erik Simpson flavors contribute to excellent, high-value [email protected] processed products, as already demonstrated Bob Hickman by the Japanese. High vitamin C content (up [email protected] to 70 mg/100gm) has been reported in Japan. Patty Gotz Until now, we have not observed any pest or [email protected] disease problem that would require pesticides. 2011 Bill Horn Propagation is by either hardwood or softwood [email protected] cuttings. Seed germination has been high, 65- Del Simpson 90%, and no stratification is necessary. In [email protected] several tests, seeds planted directly after Jerry Gehrke harvest had the same high germination rate as [email protected] those stratified for 2 months. 2012 Jean Williams Maxine Thompson has been involved in The [email protected] Haskap breeding program since 2001. There Mike Shannon has been advanced trial plots of the 9 most [email protected] promising selections in Oregon, Idaho and Loretta Murphy Washington. [email protected] Conclusions Chapter Presidents 1. Plants appear to be well adapted to both Olympic Orchard Steve Vause the Willamette Valley, Oregon and to the [email protected] colder region of Sandpoint, Idaho. North Olympic Melissa Denny 2. Plants grow vigorously and produce good [email protected] crops each year at these sites Peninsula Sally Loree 3 Among our breeding plots the large amount of genetic variability for all traits [email protected] sought indicates good potential for rapid Piper Orchard Paul Donaldson selection advance. [email protected] 4. With identification and testing of superior Seattle Tree Fruit Lorine Brakken forms, there is excellent potential to develop [email protected] cultivars that will provide the basis for a new South Sound Phil Vogel berry crop. [email protected] 5. Selected haskap cultivars will provide a Tahoma Henri Carnay new easy-to-grow berry that will extend the [email protected] fruit season for home gardeners and small U- Vashon Island Elizabeth Vogt pick farms. [email protected] 6. If the absence of pests or diseases persists, this berry offers the possibility of successful organic culture. Strap yourself to a tree with roots - 7. With the unique, new flavors we expect You Ain't Goin' Nowhere that haskap will fill a niche market for high- value specialty products. Bob Dylan

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org Winter 2010 17 WINECRISP: NEW APPLE 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING by Debra Levey Larson, Aces News

URBANA - A new, late-ripening apple important factors to consumers than the finish named WineCrisp which carries the Vf gene for and continued to develop the new apple. scab resistance was developed over the past His research, in collaboration with breeders 20 plus years through classical breeding at Rutgers and Purdue Universities, will be techniques, not genetic engineering. Licenses published in a 2009 issue of the journal of to propagate trees will be made available to HortScience, and a U.S. patent is currently nurseries through the University of Illinois. pending. The apple is available now to Being resistant to apple scab is a big plus for nurseries who want to apply for a license to growers, said University of Illinois plant propagate trees and make them available to geneticist Schuyler Korban, as it significantly apple growers nationwide. "There is a nursery in reduces the number of chemical fungicide the southeastern part of the United States that sprays. "Apple scab is the number one disease really liked the apple and feel that there is a that growers have to spray for — 15 to 20 times market for it in the south so they're getting a per season — so not having to spray for apple license to grow it." scab lowers the cost for the grower and is It also takes time for a new orchard or even better for the environment." for an existing orchard to plant new apple varieties. But when WineCrisp cuttings are grafted into a fast-growing root stock, Korban says there could be fruit on the tree in as little as three years. Korban said that the tree is extremely productive and the fruit is firm, but it's not a bright red color. "It's more of a dark red and looks like a deep red wine so we wanted to include 'wine' in the name. It also resembles an older variety that consumers are familiar with Why does it take over 20 years to make an called Winesap. "When you pick it up and apple? "It takes a long time to develop an squeeze it, it's very firm," he said. "We used to apple because you want to test it in different call it 'the Rock.' We wanted that characteristic locations, you want to observe it over a to be in the name so we added 'crisp' and number of years, and it takes awhile for an named it WineCrisp. apple to get noticed," said geneticist Schuyler "There's a market for apples with different Korban. "I liked it the first time I saw it and I liked flavors, different textures, different ripening and the flavor. It has an excellent mix of sugar and maturity dates — you don't know what the likes acid and a very pleasant flavor, but I was and dislikes of the consumer will be," said hesitant because of the finish — it's not glossy." Korban. "Some of our recent releases are Korban thought the finish might pose a varieties that focus on late ripening which problem because consumers are accustomed would prolong the apple-growing season and to seeing waxed fruit in stores and may not like WineCrisp matures two weeks after Red the matte finish that Korban calls "scarfy" or Delicious. They can be harvested all the way dull. "Red Delicious is a very good looking through to the end of October. And in good apple, but has no flavor, very bland. It's still cold storage, they'll keep for eight to nine ranked as the number one apple in the months. That's another important trait of this industry; however, there are more new apple variety — it keeps very well in cold storage." varieties available now." The original cross in the breeding process After some time, Korban decided that the was done at Rutgers in 1989. The seeds were crispness and the flavor would be more grown into seedlings and inoculated with

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org western cascade 18 Fruit Society apple scab at Purdue. Those seedlings that opportunity to talk with and ask questions of demonstrated resistance to apple scab were OOS members. split between the three universities as a part of Dr. Robert Norton was the main speaker and the Purdue-Rutgers-Illinois (PRI) Cooperative also, along with Erik Simpson, identified apples Breeding Program, which has been very and other fruit brought in by attendees. Sev- successful in naming and releasing over 25 eral people joined OOS as a result of the show. disease-resistant apple varieties, some with Fruit tree sales were brisk, and left over trees other collaborating partners around the world. were sold to individual members and to Sunny Because the University of Illinois made the Farms Farm Store. selection, U of I will be the primary licensing At our regular November meeting Pat Volk institution. described making compost bins from circular Funding for the research was provided by hoops of mesh fencing. He has found these the University of Illinois and PRI. bins to be relatively cheap, easy to make, and durable. (For a detailed description and in- structions see Pat’s article on page ---- of this issue. At the same meeting Mark Sundt and Erik Simpson spoke on Starting and Maintaining Commercial or Home Orchards. Mark is Cap- tain of the ship Malaspina, sailing the Alaska Seattle Tree Fruit Society has a new Presi- Marine Highway System. He also has a 2000 dent, Lorine Brakken. The Fall Fruit Show, Oct tree commercial orchard in the Sequim area 31st, was well attended by the Seattle Commu- (apparently less of a money maker than his nity. People were interested in tasting the ap- maritime job). Erik is, among other things, a re- ples from our members and the WSU Mt. tired but still very passionate and knowledge- Vernon orchard. The lecture room was over- able nurseryman. flowing and we are looking at a much larger Our annual holiday dinner was held on De- space for our Spring Grafting Show on March cember 8. Inclimate weather apparently kept 14th at CUH. Our meeting combined a Holiday some people at home, but those 25 or so who potluck and a lecture by Seattle Tilth’s Laura attended were able (though not required) to Matters on “Orchard Soils”. gorge on turkey, ham, dressing, mashed pota- North Olympic Fruit Club invited Steve John- toes, vegetables, salads and an array of des- son, the owner of Lazy J Tree Farm, to speak at serts, thus getting a jump start on the annual our November meeting. Mr. Johnson raises or- larding up process. The program also included ganic fruit in Sequim. He spoke of the chal- a slide show of the ’09 OOS activities, a short lenges and rewards of growing fruit for mar- business meeting and a raffle. ket. Our next meeting, in December, was a As of this writing OOS appears to be in solid Christmas Potluck followed by a white ele- shape. Membership is up a bit, both in number phant exchange. Club members brought ex- and in tonnage. There is money in our bank ac- cellent food and interesting white elephant count. Our library continues to expand. And gifts. The gifts were exchanged with great en- we have purchased some new equipment, in- thusiasm and most likely some of them will re- cluding a digital projector. We look forward to appear next year. an active and exciting 2010. Olympic Orchard Society (OOS) held its an- nual (soon to be semi-annual) Fall Fruit Show Saturday, October 24. About 150 non- Teaching a child not to step on a members attended, down by about half from the ’08 fruit show. On the other hand the ’09 caterpillar is as valuable to the child show was better organized than the previous as it is to the caterpillar. one. It was well received, with a great deal of interest evinced. Those attending had greater

Western Cascade Fruit Society www.wcfs.org