An article from the April 1981 issue of Acres U.S.A. demonstrates that biological principles have always worked
After growing apples mainly for a living since 1939, and using a harsh chemical program from 1939 to 1952, I can look back and recall many incidents that would shock most people.
As the city grew, we sold our farm and moved back north to the old homestead. Fortunately, I found out about Natural Food Associates, and after attending a convention and talking to Dr. William Albrecht, we decided to start an orchard fresh and work from the ground up. Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer of Bio Dynamics, plus many others, gave me much encouragement. Soil testing, soil building, and an intense search for knowledge and putting many experiments into action with faith that we would reach the goal, all have rewarded us. We now produce apples that are safe and nutritious.
The soil is tested each year, and balanced mineral application, plus compost, is applied. Grass is cut at three-week intervals so as to quickly decompose in the humus-rich soil. All natural minerals advertised in Acres U.S.A. are used. Insect attractants and lights eliminate many harmful flying insects. Dormant oil is applied early in the spring. This is followed by biological insecticides. Then mild microfine sulfur for scab (as needed) is applied along with liquid seaweed (Maxi-crop). Fish seaweed is applied at the pink stage. Some cuneo mixture fungicide is also being experimented with. The apiary of bees we have do the pollination. Also, varieties are interplanted to give better crop pollination.
We have standard and now some semi-dwarf varieties making up 40 acres — Macintosh, Sky, Delicious Red and Golden, Wealthy, Ida Red, Sparton, Cortland, Golden Russet, Talman Sweet, Winter Vanana, Melba, Twinte, Niagara, plus many others included. After blossom, diatomite is applied and is doing a very good job of controlling many insects.
Liquid seaweed seems to take care of mites and aphids and feeds the trees with a foliar spray as well. Apples are harvested and stored in cold storage on the farm. Some are sold to health stores throughout Ontario. Others go to public and regular grocery stores.
We have a number of distributors in Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and Michigan who handle our apples. We used to ship small lots, but we have discontinued this because of problems enroute — bruising, etc.
People ask, why do we grow apples naturally or biologically? Well, apples play a major role in my diet. The apple is one of the finest natural foods for man.
