permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 1/27/2012 10:34 AM, Cory Brennan wrote:
> Frances, I'm thinking of the windswept prairies where some of the
> apple trees Johnny Appleseed planted are still alive, and still
> producing. Others never did produce. I'm thinking of how strong that
> root stock is and how one could think of future generations by
> casting seeds in a zone 4 area and letting whatever grows, grow, so
> that the root stock, strong and fully adapted to the environment,

Just like those generations of apples in Kazakhstan, other former soviet 
union countries and China. Famous breeding stock. See the videos on You 
Tube. Google: heirloom apples in Kazakhstan

> could be used for highly productive scions. I'm thinking, that we
> need to take up less space, not more, with our food so it may be
> important to have highly productive fruit trees - this is especially
> true in urban areas, and commercial activity where land is limited.
> But if I had enough land to give some over to whatever nature will
> provide, I would let some things do what they will. Using root stock
> of natives is even better than planting apples in the prairie, if
> there is something that is compatible.

There are many people who will only eat fruit from seedling trees
(trees grown from seed, no grafted varieties). I will say that the 
Stayman Starkspur Winesap is one of the very best apple varieties in 
existence, harde heavy bearer, excellent keeper, multi uses; succeptible 
to CAR though; is grafted only and only available from Stark Brothers.