Hey there,
I live in Burlington, NJ, and I have begun thinking of starting an organic apple orchard mainly for making hard cider. I have been given a few places about town to plant under the promise that I find something historically significant to the town. Much to my surprise I found a few apples that trace themselves back to this once worldly and important town.
What I found is that the yellow bellflower is widely accepted as migrating throughout the US from Burlington, NJ in the 1700s. I also found some claims of Maiden's Blush being first noted here, but others say it is from NY. A mysterious apple called Roman Stem (for it's elongated, nose-shape) is also reputed to have started here, but I can't seem to find that anywhere now, and I wonder if it is just the yellow bellflower, whose shape is slightly elongated. Unfortunately, I am not able to place any orders for the one's I can find now.
My first question (1) would be. Is there any place where I could find these varieties, now, for 2011? I am also looking for Harrison (another famous Jersey apple) and Granniwinkle. I would like to get everything from one place to minimize cost and hassle.
Second (2), Is my history correct? Does Roman Stem really exist? Is Maiden's Blush from NJ or NY?
Third (3), are there any projects that have done anything like what I am proposing? Where could I find support?
I am very interested in rare and forgotten plant varieties, and I am looking for a way to bring this town back to it's agricultural roots. Too long has it rusted in the mess leftover from the industrial revolution, and this town needs change and help. I encourage anyone out wondering what Burlington, NJ is to check it out. This town needs more dreamers to get it back on its feet.
Thanks for suffering through my long posting.