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Cider Digest #1869
Subject: Cider Digest #1869, 25 April 2014
From: cider-request@talisman.com
Cider Digest #1869 25 April 2014
Cider and Perry Discussion Forum
Contents:
CiderCON and Chicago (Dick Dunn)
Re: Golden Russet (John Bunker)
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Digest Janitor: Dick Dunn
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Subject: CiderCON and Chicago
From: Dick Dunn <rcd@talisman.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 23:31:48 -0600
It's really cool to see how CiderCON has grown, both in size and in
content. It's great to see how it has become such a focus for the US
cider industry...it's an unquestioned success.
But...yet...is it going to become a truly national event? or is it a sorta
national event biased to the midwest? To the point: When will CiderCON
get out of Chicago and start moving around?
The appeal of Chicago is understood: airline hub, transportation, hotels,
venues...but it's not the only such city in the US. Moreover, Chicago in
Feb is a gamble on weather/travel; the odds are OK but not great.
I went to CiderCON 2012. During and just after the conference, there was
discussion that Chicago wasn't a shoo-in for 2013. But it ended up there
anyway, with no indication that any other location was considered. Same
thing in 2013 about moving it for 2014, but no. Now, 2015 is a new hotel
again, but the same town. Hello? There's a great big country out here.
- --
Dick Dunn rcd@talisman.com Hygiene, Colorado USA
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Subject: Re: Golden Russet
From: John Bunker <john.p.bunker@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:58:08 -0400
John Bunker, Palermo ME
By the late 19th century, the russets were already mixed up. By
then, most or all the russets in Maine and most locations were known
only as "russets". As was noted in earlier emails, the same names
were regularly applied to multiple varieties. The fruits of all them
are similar enough in appearance to make them quite difficult to tell
apart. The most visually useful differences are in the trees. It is
also useful in ID's that some of them keep longer than others in
common storage.
Golden Russet of Western New York: I obtained "Golden Russet"
scionwood from Genvea in about 1983. That tree is the rangy,
weepyish, tip bearer. The fruit keeps extremely well. Although it
was listed simply as "Golden Russet," I believe that this is the
true GR of western NY.
English (or Poughkeepsie) Russet of Downing, Barry and Thomas: "The
trees grow very straight and form upright heads, and the wood is
smooth and reddish brown." (AJ Downing) Keeps extremely well- up to a
year. This Russet was grown extensively in Maine. On trial here:
scionwood from an ancient tree nearby. I also have Nick Botner's
English Russet on trial.
English Russet of Warder. Larger fruit than ER of Downing. Probably
a different variety.
American GR (Bullock): This variety used to be sold by St Lawrence
Nurseries and is probably correct. This tree is very different from
GR of NY. It does not have the rangy weep form. The tree is very
productive, the fruit is of high quality but does not keep nearly as
long as GRNY. On trial here.
Hunt Russet: Almost certainly its own distinct variety. Tower Hill
Botanic Gardens in Massachusetts has it there and, I believe, it's
correct. The fruit, in this case, is distinct. It almost always has
a significant reddish-orangish blush.
Local impostors: To further complicate things, Maine (and probably
every apple growing region) also had a large assortment of local
russeted selections, known usually as "Russets". Some of these are
very similar to the more famous russets. Some are quite different and
often very good in their own way.
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End of Cider Digest #1869
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