Farm Update from Wild Bill

Hello All,

Summer is winding down but there are still trees and vines producing fruit at Bellehaven.

This year is the first year we have a crop of pears from our two pear trees.  Pears are a really strange fruit.  You pick pears when they are still hard and green.  The odd thing about pears is they ripen from the core to the outside of the fruit.  If you leave pears on the tree to ripen, when you think they are ripe actually the core is over ripe and full of stone cells. 

We picked our pears and put them in two closets in the house to ripen. About two weeks later they were ripe.  Marilynn has canned "brandy pears", "cinnamon pears", and just plain canned pears. 

We have six muscadine grape vines which after three years of proper pruning  and care have produced a bumper crop.   Muscadine grapes are native to the South and grow well in very hot weather.  They all have seeds and very thick skins.  Muscadines are not bunch grapes so when picked the stem remains on the vine.  Stemless grapes do not ship well, therefore, those who do not live in God's Country have not tasted Muscadine grapes!  The vines live forever.  The oldest muscadine vine is located in New Bern, NC and was first cultivated in 1690.  The vine is alive and well today with excellent production and spans 250 feet. 

Muscadine grapes are the "nectar from God"!  Typically muscadine grapes are large purple grapes with one exception.  The white Muscadine grapes are known as "Scuppernong grapes".  The Scuppernong grapes are very sweet and good for just eating.  Muscadines also make good wine!  Next on my list!

Marilynn and I, plus many good neighbors in Waterloo are stepping in "tall cotton" with Wild Bill's muscadine grapes in 2010. 

Here in Waterloo, we are "Living way down South, where the weather is warm and the living is easy".  We have two pecan trees which will be next on the list for good nuts later in the Fall!