| |
How many people does it take to grow a Maple Lawn Farms Apple?
This is not an ethnic joke. It's a serious question to consider. We're not
even certain that we have the complete answer either. But here's a listing of
some of the groups
of people who make it all possible:
- Our apple trees come from reputable NURSERIES whose job over the years has
been to participate in breeding research to guarantee, not only virus free
tree stock, but also the best genetic variety qualities.
Apple trees don't just grow from seeds. Root stock is important, because it
determines how well the tree can support the abundance of fruit that will grow
on it over the life of the tree. It takes a year for the initial establishment
of the root stock. Then in the case of our dwarf orchard, the second year goes
into grafting and growing the inter-stem which will affect the height of the
trees--12-18 feet instead of the standard 30 foot size.
The particular variety, bred for flavor, texture, color and hardiness is then
grafted onto the inter-stem in the third year. By the time the trees arrive at
MLF for planting, they will be in their fourth leaf. Countless researchers,
field workers, lab technicians, salesmen and distribution personnel have had a
hand in getting those scrawny twig trees to our doorstep.
- Before the McPHERSONS have bought the specific variety of apples on very
specific root stocks with the dwarfing inter-stem, they've consulted with
experts around the country at conventions, in the actual nurseries, over the
phone. They've seen the trees in production whenever possible, or just gone by
faith that the information they're gleaning from fellow growers and industry
scientists is relevant for their orchard system.
They plan the orchard site taking into consideration topography, air flow and
drainage, soil conditions, meteorological conditions, and where the sun is in
relation to the block of new trees.
- The PLANTING CREW has the task of laying out the orchard as specified by
all the design plans. Two of them walk behind a tractor and trencher holding
tight a rope that's just the right length to delineate the width between trees
and rows marking the straight rows in both directions across the site. Then
someone sits on the tree planter pulled by a tractor and inserts a new seedling
into the cross section of the E-W/N-S markings while more people follow to
straighten the new tree, tamp it firmly into the soil making certain the ball of
the inter-stem is still above ground level. Then they prune it to a spindle
about 30" or begin the training by specifying the main scaffold branches.
- Then the TREE TRAINERS really begin their work. In the first few years,
our employees watch the shape of the tree, using clothespins to separate the
branches which want to grow toward the sun, always mindful that their job is to
let as much sun as possible into the growing tree. Later the clothespins are
replaced by wooden spreaders as the branches increase in length and diameter. As
the tree begins to produce fruit, the weight of the apples does the spreading if
the tree had been trained properly in the first place.
- In order for a new orchard to produce as quickly as possible, the trees
need to be protected from the conditions of drought. That means an IRRIGATION
SYSTEM which will nourish them when it doesn't rain, but will use water
sparingly, too.
Our system is a trickle irrigation system which delivers water to each tree
root system through emitters at the base of each tree about 6" under
ground. We've pumped water from our farm pond to the dwarf orchard this summer
ever since May 26! And because we didn't need to use irrigation the past wet
summers, we had to completely rework and constantly checkout the system to make
sure that water was not clogged up, hadn't sprung a leak, and was turned on when
necessary. It's a very labor intensive job taking several man hours each day and
a four wheeler to cover all the ground.
- Every spring PRUNERS do their work to continue perpetuating the optimum
shape of the tree. Sometimes their efforts are hampered by deer who have feasted
on the tasty new growth and eaten away next season's scaffold branch potential.
Our five wire tensile fence was originally designed to hamper the efforts of
the deer to ruin the trees. It was a major investment.
Inter-stem trees have a few disadvantages in that they tend to send shoots of
growth from whatever variety they are out at the ground level. It's a constant
challenge to keep the suckers cut back: More work for more people.
- WEED CONTROL starts early in the spring, and between mowing and herbicide
applications just down the trunk line takes several applications each season.
Even when nothing else seems to grow, weeds threaten to take over.
- Apples are more difficult to pollinate than peaches. Varieties are planted
interspersed in an orchard to aid in the process, but we really rely on the
BEEMAN to keep our bees in top physical condition so that they can aid in the
process. The reward is our own honey which you can purchase in the market.
Filled with the nectar from fruit and all the local flowers and weeds, it's a
wonderful way for allergy sufferers to build up resistance to pollen in the
atmosphere.
- One of the most misunderstood aspects of orchard production is orchard
sanitation through the use of agricultural chemicals. At MLF, we have TRAINED
TECHNICIANS who have passed their pesticide registration licensing process, who
read labels, and who depend upon observation of experts and a computer program
to assist them in making the proper and necessary decisions of when and which
chemicals to use and how much of each. Without the use of these "food
protectors" your fruit would be ugly, misshapen, pocked with bug bites,
covered with scab and disease microorganisms making it inedible. Our orchard
sanitation program assures you high quality food that is safe from natural
harmful substances; and because we follow the label requirements of dosages and
timing, free from residues as well. You needn't fear eating an apple in the
orchard. Just polish it on your jeans and bite right in. We do that all the
time!
FOOD SAFETY is one of our primary concerns. No one can afford to take chances
with the lives of our families. And our children eat our fruit before you do, so
you can be certain that we have done all in our power to guarantee its safety.
We have not used the controversial Alar since 1986 as we reported to you in
that newsletter. The result has been that our apples don't stay on the trees
nearly as long as in the past, and we must urge you to come quickly before they
fall off. Shelf life is shortened without Alar, too, so you must refrigerate
your apples to keep them any length of time, or provide a constant temperature
just above freezing in which your apples can literally sleep till you wake them
up for a crisp, juicy bite.
That makes the timing of your purchase important. If we are to have a cold
fall, all will be well; but if it stays warm, storage in your garage won't work
well.
- HARVEST CREWS are necessary, for the best way to harvest a fresh market
apple is still by hand picking, gently placing it in a basket, and carefully
transporting it home. We have tons more apples than our U Pick customers can
take along with them, so we employ crews to pick them in bulk bins for storage
until they are packed here or shipped to a custom packer for distribution to
grocery stores. Many of the Old Orchard varieties also end up in processed apple
juice, pie fillings, and apple sauce packaged by Knouse Foods. Look for their
products on your grocery shelves.
- MORE: Cold storage facilities, fork lift operators, refrigeration
repairmen and sales clerks all care for the apples at the end of the process.
- And we can't forget the BANKERS who help make our cash flow work in this
high-input capital intensive business. At MLF, we only get paid when we have
something to sell. But all our expenses come before the marketing season.
- APPLE GROWING is far more complicated than apple eating. We hope that you
will continue to enjoy the fruits of our and your labors by frequenting our
orchards and market. We will be open every day but Sunday's from now till
Halloween. Our friendly sales staff is equipped to answer your every question
and help you make good buying decisions.
You can order our LONG DISTANCE APPLE PAKS for UPS delivery anywhere in the
continental USA for shipment until December 15. Just stop by to fill out the
order, or call us toll free: (800)832-3697. We'll be happy to serve you
as part of the team of thousands who have made our Maple Lawn Farms APPLES a
reality. God bless you one and all! |
