THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
SLOG QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 21 – AUTUMN 2014
* FRUIT GROWING *
*CONSERVING LOCAL ORCHARDS*
*PROMOTING HERITAGE VARIETIES*
www.slorchards.co.uk
In this Issue
Editorial
Forthcoming Events
Recent Events
SLOG Orchard Update
Plagues & Pestilence: Brown Rot
Heritage Apple Variety: Margil
A Tale of Two Apples
Orchard Profile : Low Stanger Farm
Fruit Focus: Mulberry
Rootstock Orders
SLOG Shop
Slog Discount at Suppliers
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Editorial
The soft fruit crop is well behind us now, but a
good crop it was as a result of an early start and
a warm early summer. Plums are now mostly
picked and most varieties have also had a good
year. Pears look good while apples are mixed,
depending on the variety, nevertheless all are up
to two weeks early, which means even the late
varieties should ripen properly.
In anticipation of the harvest, the SLOG fruit
presses are ready for action. This year we have a
new mill: the Spiedel mill has replaced the
Shark which has been retired after three years
service. More detail on the Spiedel mill in the
AGM report. The earlier you book, the better
the chance of getting the weekend date you
want. For the medium kit (Spiedel mill plus
Hydropress +/- pasteuriser) call Adele
Jones/Mike Wolford on 015395 52102 or email
mwandaj@btinternet.com. For the large press
and trailer call Jill McDonald on 015395 52289
or email sec@slorchards.co.uk.
Hire charge is £20 per day for the medium press
kit. The large press hire charge is £25 per day
for individuals and remains unchanged at £50
for groups or £25 for local community group
pressings co-ordinated by a SLOG member.
The hand scratter and barrel press are now
almost redundant so we plan to offer them on a
free of charge collect and return basis to local
schools to encourage children to take a greater
interest in local fruit.
After seven years of SLOG’s existence, it is all
change on the Committee. Jill McDonald has
stood down after three years as our Membership
Secretary. We are very grateful to Jill for the
thorough and professional way she has carried
out this role. Adam Rubinstein has now taken
on the role and you may already have seen
messages from him using new mailing software.
Andy Gilchrist has stood down after three years
as Chairman and is replaced by Penny Hinsinger
while Adam Walker has taken on the role of
Treasurer. Jill and Andy remain as Committee
members providing mentoring where required
by their successors to ensure a smooth and
orderly transition.
We still welcome new members to the
Committee. You can either call any Committee
member to express your interest, or just sit in as
an observer at the next Committee meeting
which is scheduled for Tuesday 28th October at
7.30pm at the Derby Arms, Witherslack.
The Committee are currently working on the
details of a tree planting grant scheme, the pilot
of which should start up ready for the coming
winter planting season and be targeted at
Community orchards. Further details will be
provided in the next Newsletter, and on the
THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
website.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
For the most up-to-date information look in:
http://www.slorchards.co.uk/SLOGevents.html
Thursday September 11th - Westmorland
County Show, Lane Farm, Crooklands,
Kendal
9.00am
–
5.30pm
Once again, the SLOG team will be at the show to
answer all your orchard questions and demonstrate
our range of apple pressing equipment. Directions:
http://www.westmorlandshow.co.uk/find-us.html
Saturday September 20th – Orchard visit
and apple tasting at the SLOG orchard 24pm Come and have a look around the SLOG
orchard and taste the different varieties Directions:
The orchard is on the Underley Road Allottments,
between Underley Road & Hallgarth Circle just east
of Windermere Road, Kendal (A591).The easiest
parking is on Hallgarth Close (southern edge of
Hallgarth Circle), then walk through lane due south
past sheds, up path on right into allottments and
along to plots 4, 7 & 10. The south entrance is off
Underley Rd, from where a narrow green lane leads
directly to plots 4, 7 & 10.
Saturday September 27th - Apple
Pressing, Wilf's Cafe, Staveley nr Kendal
11.00am to 4.00pm Bring your (clean) spare or
windfall apples for juicing and containers for the
juice. Directions: Wilfs Cafe: http://www.wilfscafe.co.uk/how-to-find-us.html
Saturday October 4th 10.00am - 4.00pm Members' Apple pressing day at
Thornbarrow, Witherslack
Once again, members have a chance to bring their
apples for pressing into juice. It can be pasteurised
and kept, or fermented into cider. All welcome. Free
to members, and visitors can join on the day.
Directions: Follow A590 west and take the
Witherslack turning. Pass the Derby Arms and take
the 2nd turning on the left (in the village). Follow the
road up the hill and take the 1st turning on the left
into Thornbarrow. Continue to end of rough track.
Sun Oct 12th - 11.00am - 4.00pm Apple
Day at Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby,
near Penrith SLOG will join with NCOG who plan
to demonstrate apple pressing. Apple identification,
advice, apple tasting and grafted trees for sale.
Family entertainment with range of childrens games.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/wacornbankgardenandwatermill
Tuesday 2nd December – Winter Talk
7.30pm Levens Institute Speaker Jane Maggs
of “Wild and Fruitful” will explain how to use both
wild and cultivated fruit to make a wide range of
produce. Samples to taste and produce to buy.
Directions: From M6 jnctn 36 go 4 miles on A591
towards Kendal, then A590 Barrow, then after 2
miles turn right signposted Levens. Go to centre of
village, Institute is on crossroads across from
Methodist Chapel. No car park so park on roads
nearby.
RECENT EVENTS
COUNTRYFEST
Sat/Sun 31st May/1st June
The sun shone and the ground was dry
throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.
The SLOG stand awaits its first visitors on Sunday morning
Unfortunately, the Countryfest dates still clash
with Holker, which must affect numbers. Last
year we were at Holker so this year we decided
to go to CountryFest. Now in its sixth year, it
attracted a record 13,000 visitors. We had a
steady stream of visitors to our stand in the
“Grow Your Own” tent. Bob’s cider as usual
proved very popular, as did our apple juice. On
Saturday, a 60’ long teddy bear kite flew its way
into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Whatever next – should SLOG propose an
inflatable apple kite? Many thanks to David,
Brian, Penny, Hilary and Ros for working the
stand.
SUMMER ORCHARD VISIT
RIBBLE ORCHARD PROJECT
Saturday 21st June
This was a double orchard visit to Lancashire.
We started at Astley Hall in Chorley which has
a fruit orchard of 64 trees within a walled
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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
garden. 22 apple and 4 pear trees are grown as
bush trees in the centre. 6 apples and 6 pears are
wall trained around the old walls. Between the
central orchard and the vegetable garden runs a
row of cordons containing 17 apples and 9
pears, all different and unusual varieties.
Considerable work has gone into restoring them
in recent years after a few years of neglect, and
the result is well worth the effort. For more
information
on
Astley
Hall,
see:
http://www.chorley.gov.uk/Pages/AtoZ/AstleyHall.aspx
We then drove west for about 25mins past
several old farm orchards, to visit the orchard of
John Slockett at Little Hoole. John inherited a
former commercial orchard, planted in the
1920’s. The original trees are now in terminal
decline. However, since 2005, Phil Rainford has
been collecting scion wood from remnant apple
& pear trees around the county, grafting them
onto MM106 or Quince rootstock and planting
the resulting maidens as cordons in John’s
orchard.
The cordons, of known and unknown varieties
of both apples and pears, now number over 300,
thus the grand title “The South Ribble Orchard
Project”. And it is indeed impressive, John
maintains the site beautifully with perfectly
manicured grass and hardly a weed in sight. The
trees themselves are vigorous and healthy and
many have started cropping so Phil will have
much work to do to attempt identification of the
resulting fruit. Many thanks to Phil for
organising a fascinating visit to two very
different orchards in his home county.
SLOG Annual General
Meeting
Tuesday 29th July
The AGM at Levens Institute was attended by
about thirty members on a pleasant sunny
evening. A quick check around the room on fruit
set this season indicated that, despite some
variations, the overall prospects for apples are
for a below average crop. Pears, cherries and
plums however all look good according to
members present. The Chairman & Acting
Treasurer (Andy Gilchrist) and Membership
Secretary (Jill McDonald) stood down but
indicated their willingness to mentor new
candidates. The following were proposed and
elected: Penny Hinsinger as Chairman, Adam
Rubenstein as Membership Secretary and Adam
Walker as Treasurer. The Committee (now ten)
was re-elected. Membership subscription rates
were agreed unchanged. Reports by the
Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer can be
viewed on the website: www.slorchards.co.uk/
Next, we auctioned off the Shark, the highest
bidder being Nik Birkby. Members who have
hired the Shark may recall some problems with
the starting button. Although it is currently in
working order, we felt that its reliability had
declined such that it should be replaced.
Its replacement, the Vigo Spiedel mill was on
display.
For
more
info
see:
http://www.vigopresses.co.uk/Catalogue/Crushe
rs/Centrifugal-Mill-91202
The raffle for apple trees was drawn and the
three winners were Bob Bradley, Nik Birkby
and Jenny Walton, who selected Pinova, Elstar
and Delbar Jubilee. After a tea break to sample
Judith Shapland’s tasty pear & chocolate tart,
Hilary and Phil demonstrated how to train
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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
young maiden whips into cordon, espalier or
stepover tree forms.
CARTMEL SHOW
Wednesday 6th August
The SLOG stand was set up in the Craft
Marquee, which protected us from heavy
showers during the morning which initially
reduced visitor numbers. Fortunately we were
on level ground so did not suffer the streams
which ran through some other tents. Happily the
sun came out in the afternoon and along with it
increased visitor numbers who appreciated
Bob’s cider and our apple juice. This is a
friendly local show and most who stopped for a
chat on the stand were either local or from North
Lancashire. It was good to see some old faces
again. Many thanks to David and Jill who
helped on the stand.
BUDDING & SUMMER
PRUNING WORKSHOP
Saturday 16th August
A very select band gathered at the yurts to try to
improve our budding skills. Phil showed us how
to t-bud while Hilary explained chip budding.
After first practising on willow, we attempted
the real thing on apple (MM106) and pear
(Quince A) rootstocks.
Phil brought a selection of local varieties of pear
scion wood, together with examples of the fruit
from
each
variety
(above).
Afterwards we visited the cordons to collect
scion wood of other varieties and to practice
summer pruning. Since there were so few of us,
we decided to return later in the month.
Accordingly, Hilary, Ros, Hugh and Andy
managed to prune (and weed) and also relabel
about eighty of the cordons before being driven
back into the yurts by the rain.
SLOG ORCHARD UPDATE
The grass is now well established over the entire
site and has been mown thrice. The Summer
working party on 2nd August went ahead despite
a poor weather forecast. Adam hand thinned the
fruit, which on Fillingham Pippin and Saturn
had an excessively heavy set. The fruit is
already big and colourful on several varieties.
Then the entire team of Adam, Mark, Romola,
Gail & Andy worked along the rows summer
pruning. Afterwards we set to weeding within
the rows and after just two hours work, we left a
very tidy site without getting too wet.
Summer pruning lets more light in to colour up the fruit
The trees are healthy and have made good
growth this season. Many of them are bearing
fruit this year. Even after the hand thinning a
fair amount remains. We will have an open day
on Saturday 20th September from 2pm when
members can taste all the labelled varieties.
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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
SLOG’s constitution refers to “recognising the importance of
biodiversity”; this frog feasting on the inhabitants of a decaying
tree stump amply demonstrates biodiversity in the SLOG orchard
The next working party is planned for
November when we intend to plant about forty
apple & pear maidens that were grafted in
spring and to tie in new growth to long canes.
“PLAGUES &
PESTILENCE” BROWN
ROT
This problem was previously discussed in
Newsletter #18 (Winter 2013). However,
enquiries at recent shows indicates that this
disease is more widespread than usual this year.
Damaged fuit should not be stored even if it
appears disease free because the fungal spores
may well lurk unseen and germinate during
storage. Brown rot can spread very quickly in
store, so again, vigilance is required to prevent
this.
HERITAGE APPLE VARIETY
REVIEW: MARGIL
The earliest British reference to Margil records
it as being grown in Surrey in 1750. It is thought
to be much older and probably originating in
France. It has several synonyms, some French,
but one, “Small Ribston” sums it up succinctly.
Its popularity seems to have spread quickly
across England because it was grown in the
Crosthwaite area in the late 18th C. Hilary
Wilson found records which show that
“Margells” were planted next to Widow
Postlethwaite’s cottage on the Common at
Grange-over-Sands in 1812. This spelling is
presumably a consequence of much information
during that period being passed on (imprecisely)
by word of mouth rather than the written word.
The infected fruit turns brown (above) and
creamy coloured concentric rings develop which
quickly cover the entire fruit. The fungus
(Monilia) is a a secondary invader, that is to say
it cannot penetrate unblemished skin, but enters
via insect damage, bird pecks, scab cracks etc.
The same fungus can infect pears, plums,
cherries etc. from mid-summer onwards. Good
orchard hygiene calls for the immediate removal
of infected fruits to minimise spead to others.
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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
Photo courtesy R.V.Roger Nurserymen
Margil is a smallish apple with a Cox-type
flavour which is described as even more intense
and aromatic than Cox or Ribston. However, it
needs a sunny situation and season to bring out
the flavour. It is less vigorous than most apple
varieties, producing smallish trees, which make
it a very suitable variety where space is limited.
It was a popular late dessert apple in Victorian
times, but declined in the 20th C, when
commercial growers preferred other varieties
such as Cox. Its picking time is October and it
can be stored into the New Year. Due to its
historic significance and local interest we have a
Margil on MM106 in the SLOG orchard.
A TALE OF TWO APPLES
If you visit a National Apple Collection such as
Brogdale or Wisley, you will see that they have
two trees of each variety. There is a good reason
for that as the following story illustrates.
wood for both came from Brogdale and both
were grafted on identical MM106 rootstocks on
the same day in March 2012. The tree from
which the apple on the right came was planted
in the SLOG orchard, while the other was
planted in another orchard only a mile away. All
the fruit on each tree was similar to those shown
above, ie all big or all small – why? There was
no apparent pest or disease problem on either
tree. So the answer must lie underground.
Clearly there was no problem underground in
the SLOG orchard while there must have been
in the other one, though it is impossible to be
definite without digging the tree up. This will be
done in the dormant season. Meanwhile the
moral of the story is that if this variety, which is
probably being grown for the first time in
Cumbria, had been judged by the tree with the
small apples, it would have been rejected, But
the tree in the SLOG orchard shows that this is
indeed a good early dessert to grow in our area.
Unfortunately, space did not permit the growing
of two trees of each variety in the SLOG
orchard, which is why supporting data from
members’ orchards is still important.
ORCHARD PROFILE
LOW STANGER FARM
Peter and Michelle Kerr have been farming at
Low Stanger Farm for about eight years. The
farm is certified organic, situated a couple of
miles south of Cockermouth close to the River
Cocker at an altitude of 250’. Their main
business is market gardening from which they
supply a wide range of seasonal vegetables to
the local market, much of it via a box scheme.
These two apples are both of the same variety,
but from different trees. The variety is Alice, an
early dessert apple from Sweden. The scion
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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
They already had one orchard locally, planted in
1997, but they planted two more orchards at
Low Stanger over the 2008-2011 period. These
contain 340 apple trees with 80 different
varieties on MM106 rootstock grown as
bush/half-standards. The trees were sourced
from Adam’s Apples and John Butterworth, the
organic nurseryman in Ayrshire, however Peter
has not been entirely satisfied with the quality
and now grafts his own trees to replace the
occasional failures. Their annual rainfall of 45”
does not sound excessive but Peter reckons it is
wet two days out of three, so the humidity
favours canker, causing tree death in susceptible
varieties. Peter has raised two new varieties
himself. Cockermouth Codlin is an early cooker
found growing as a seedling in a local hedgerow
which appears to be a seedling of Keswick
Codlin but flowers and fruits later. Lorton Vale
is a mid-late season dessert apple from a Granny
Smith pip. Unfortunately it is susceptible to
scab. Both these varieties are being grown in the
SLOG orchard to assess their suitability in
South Lakeland. Being an organic farm makes it
difficult to manage scab-susceptible varieties.
Peter has tried spraying sulphur but with limited
success. The fruit quality on the scabsusceptible varieties is therefore not good
enough
for
the
wholesale
market.
He markets some dessert varieties through the
box scheme but has found that customers don’t
want cookers because either they or their
neighbours already grow their own. Produce is
also sold at the farm gate which effectively
means to customers who collect because there is
no passing traffic. They host an open day in
September which includes apple tastings of a
range of their different varieties – watch the
website www.lowstanger.co.uk for this year’s
date.
Directions: Approaching from the east on A66,
turn south for Lorton, opposite Embleton, then
turn right along Hundith Hill Road and go
straight over the crossroads towards Eaglesfield,
then take first left. Postcode for Satnav: CA13
9TS Tel: 01900 823558
FRUIT FOCUS
MULBERRY
Mulberry fruits look rather like something from
one of the many cane fruit hybrids but the
difference is that they are grown on a substantial
tree which develops a spreading habit and tends
to become quite twisted and gnarled over time.
Picture courtesy of RHS
This is hail damage from a storm just one week before this photo
The black mulberry tree (Morus nigra) grows on
its own roots reaching 25 – 40’ in height at
maturity which comes after 20 – 50 years. It will
grow on any soil provided it is moist but well
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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
drained and prefers a sunny sheltered site. The
species originates from South-west Asia and
was imported to Britain in the 17thC. There are a
number of varieties to choose from. There is
also a smaller, white mulberry (Morus alba) but
its fruit is considered to be inferior. An
indication of the regal status of the genus Morus
is that the National Collection is held at
Buckingham and Kensington Palaces. Needless
to say, visiting is by prior appointment!
Mulberries are relatively easy to grow. It is
important to keep them well watered in the first
year until established. They are not much
troubled by pests and the only significant
disease problem is bacterial canker which
causes dieback and affected shoots should be cut
out and burnt whenever seen. Pruning, if
required for formative shape, should be done in
early winter when dormant about a month after
leaf fall to avoid sap bleeding from cut surfaces.
Mulberries are self-fertile, so you only need one,
which is just as well since many gardens may
only have space for one. Propagation is by
hardwood cuttings or from seed. One of the best
examples in Cumbria is situated by the entrance
booth at Levens Hall.
For more information on the mulberry, see:
www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/Profile?PID=642
ROOTSTOCK ORDERS
As per previous years, SLOG will consolidate
orders from members for rootstocks for delivery
early 2015 in time for grafting. Rootstocks
available include:
Prices vary between £1-£2. Call Andy Gilchrist
on
01539
727772
or
email
andyjgilchrist@hotmail.co.uk to place your
order. Deadline for orders is the end of
September.
SLOG SHOP
1. SLOG has a range of 1yr old container grown
maiden apple trees for sale at £13.50 each,
comprising traditional varieties suitable for our
Northern climate on MM106 rootstocks. Visit
http://www.slorchards.co.uk/TreesForSale.html
to see the list and for guidance on purchase and
collection.
2. We also have a stock of spiral rabbit guards
for young trees. These have the added advantage
that they protect the young tree’s trunk from
misdirected hoes or strimmers. Size is 38mm
diameter x 18” high, in either brown or clear
plastic, with holes for air circulation. Priced at 3
for £1 they are a bargain for protecting maiden
trees.
3. Wells & Winter labels are the most costeffective permanent solution for recording tree
variety identity. They are rigid black plastic
labels measuring 2 x 3½” (5x9cm), giving a
permanent and very visible result. They are
available at 15p each along with a deposit for
the silver pen (if taken away)
4. Recipe books: 28 full colour pages detailing
45 recipes for a wide range of fruits only £2.50.
5. Apple Notelet cards £2 per pack of 5 different
cards each featuring a different apple variety.
6. The Apples & Orchards of Cumbria: Lavishly
illustrated with over 100 full colour photos
describing the twenty or so Cumbrian apple
varieties and the fifteen orchards open to the
public. Judged runner-up in the “Landscape &
Tradition” category of the Lakeland Book of the
Year Awards, 2014. £9
All the above items are available at SLOG
events such as Shows, Apple Days and the
Winter Talk.
Apple: MM106/MM111/M25/M26/M9/M27
Pear: Quince A/C/Pyrodwarf
Plum: St. Julien A/Pixy
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THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
SLOG Discount at Suppliers:
Rogers & Beetham Nursery
SLOG has negotiated a 10% discount at Rogers
of Pickering for SLOG members. When you
place an order for any kind of fruit: trees,
bushes, etc., quote your SLOG membership
number and Rogers will apply 10% discount to
your total bill. For mail orders go to:
http://www.rvroger.co.uk/?linksource=frontpage
We also have a 5% discount at Beetham
Nursery applicable to all items. Just show your
SLOG membership card at the checkout.
TAILPIECE
“The Apple of Your Eye” is a quarterly publication,
the next one being the winter issue due midNovember. Contributing articles, preferably in
word.doc, are welcome, along with photos where
possible, by the end of October 2014 to:
newsletter@slorchards.co.uk
Disclaimer - The information in this newsletter is provided on
the understanding that SLOG makes no warranties, either
expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness,
reliability, or suitability of the information. Nor does SLOG
warrant that the use of this information is free of any claims of
copyright infringement.
The opinions expressed in this publication do not
neccessarily represent the views of SLOG.
© 2014 South Lakeland Orchard Group
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