North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Charles Paradise <machelp@attglobal.net>]

>
> It's with heavy heart that I share this news.  Tom Vorbeck died this
> evening._______________________________________________

Tom and Jill's Vorbecks "Applesource" was another contribution to fruit 
culture, because purchasing the Sampler or Explorer packs allowed us to 
actually taste the apples, a revealing experience.  One I received contained 
"Downing Tart" which I immediately liked, and Tom provided me the next year 
with a scion, which grows now.  Tom also sent me a letter or two reporting on 
new varieties of apple that were more towards the tart side, while explaining 
that only about 20% like tart like I do.  Those letters are some of the most 
interesting in my file upstairs, and Tom's Applesource is a model for us all 
to follow as we all should be tasting much more different fruit.

Tom's Applesource led to many a variety being planted and also to many NOT 
being planted, a huge savings of many grower's time and resources.  How can a 
guy contribute more?  I never even heard of Johnny Appleseed putting taste 
testers in a box and sending them.

Charlie Paradise, Massachusetts