Abandoned orchard and mountains of apples

Small Farmer's Journal once had a reprint article from about 80 years ago on how to make cider. It was aimed at orchardists of that time in New York. I wish there was a good index to that magazine. Then maybe I could find the issue with the article.

The points that I remember were that you have to make good hard cider. Then you make the vinegar from the cider. The first (alcoholic) fermentation is anaerobic, and the second is aerobic. You can't really do both at once.

So get a cider press. You'll need a chopper/grinder to crush up the apples, then a press. I've seen several presses that are just platforms with arch frames and hydraulic jacks. The crushed apples are put in layers. First you put down a lattice on the platform, then a sheet of cloth, then crushed apples, then fold the cloth in over the apples, then another lattice... Do this until you just have room to slip the jack in under the arch, then squeeze them down.

Feed the pressings to pigs.

Put the cider in jugs with airlocks until it's hard. Then take the airlocks off and inoculate the cidar with mother from good live vinegar. Check natural food stores as a source for this. Then what? Cover the tops with cheesecloth? Aerate a little with a fish-tank air pump? Dunno that part.

Dan

We had a similar situation some years ago, with access to an orchard (now a development) with out of town owners. We made cider with a friend's antique cider mill, but now that their sons and our sons are grown and not interested as much in making cider, and not all in the area any more, we are making our own press with a steel frame and hydraulic jack for pressure. I plan to use a garbage disposal to grind the apples, based on reports from others who are doing this, and hope to have it all set to go in a week or so. I think that cider is the easiest way to deal with large quantities of apples. Our orchard is starting to produce enough to make us reconsider what to do with all the fruit.

I just got my new country side mag, there seems to be an article on using apples I saw it on the cover have not had time to read it yet.

__________________
marching to the beat of a different drummer

I always used an early (naturally green) apple called Rambo for applesauce. We then brought home the leavings from the cider mill to put on the garden for fertilizer after we had our cider made. This was in MD, there doesn't seem to be any orchards around us here in TN and my four apple trees are failures. Rita

I was drooling over your find when this post first popped up. Now I am grateful for the direction.
I just got access to organically grown apples and am going to go picking tomorrow.

thanks

Thanks for the links, recipes, suggestions, etc - all those who contributed.

I would have been onthe forum earlier and answered some of the questions as my hubby did in his post but since I told him about this forum, I can hardly get computer time at all anymore! He's either reading threads here or he's playing Warcraft with my son!

As Indy explained, the man who owns the property the apple trees are on is extremely elderly, and has not been able to work the orchard for many years. The other (still active) commercial orchard in town no longer wants to handle it either and our friend who lives in a rental unit surrounded by the orchard is thrilled for the help with picking the apples and processing them - she is new to canning and preserving - and she said that last year the smell of the rotting apples was unbearable and the bees that were drawn to them were present in hordes... So, we have a bona fide invite, we're doing a good deed in the process, and we are benefitting hugely ourselves, too... it is a win/win if there ever was one...

I confess to being a little disappointed at some of the assumptions that were made and some of the comments - as if we were thieving the apples or doing something out of integrity... human nature rearing its head again, I guess... oh, well...

Again, thanks for the helpful apple picking advice and schedules... I am certain some of the apples are very ready!
Silvergirl

Another World of Warcraft Widow! LOL I'm one too! Seems the only time I can use the computer is when he's working nights or sleeping in the morning after coming home from working! Otherwise I feel like I have to beg to use it!

Congrats on the apples...sorry that you had to get flack about it. I understood your post just fine as if a really good deal got handed to you! I'd be all for making tons of apple stuff too! I wish I lived farther up north!

__________________
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa

Egg-zackly!!! He is at work right now and that's the ONLY reason I can use the computer at all! My daughter is taking pity on me and mailing me her old laptop next week - she just bought a better one for school! It's a sad, sad situation - but I am glad to find another WoW Widow on the forum!
Silvergirl

The owner can be sued just as easily for injury for allowing free access ..as he can for opening a 'pick-you-own' orchard. So ..whatever the old man is thinking ..enjoy your apples ..but just don't break a leg on the old man's property.

true, but a couple people coming on for free access vs several hundred coming for a u-pick is a lot different.

Sorry for the more than typical reception to HT Silvergirl. I sometimes wonder if the secultion of country living does something to the manner of ordinarily good people.

As for you windfall, I know I'd setting aside a good amount for cider. Seeing as you are in NC as well I got jelous over your situation. Looks as though your out in the East side of the state though. Good luck with finding use for the apples, if only we all could be so lucky.

J

It's that way at every sort of forum.

__________________

yes, but it makes it no more acceptable.

Thatch I have had the pleasure of seeing 3 houses that are made with thatched roofs in some of the more remote areas I have been in here in Kosovo.They were all at a distance though wish I could have seen them up close as the only thatched roofs I am familiar with are those made in the pacific where I use to live. I forgot to mention in my suggested reading post that I am happy that you found the apples silvergirl that sounds terrific.

__________________
marching to the beat of a different drummer