“On the borders of civilization we sometimes meet with a singular being, more savage than polished, and yet useful in his way. Such a one in the early settlement of the northwest territory was Johnny Apple-seed — a simple hearted being, who loved to roam through the forests in advance of his fellows. … But Johnny had his use in the world. It was his universal custom, when among whites, to save the seeds of all the best apples he met with. These he carefully preserved and carried with him, and when far away from his white friends, he would select an open spot on the ground, prepare the soil, and plant these seeds … so that some day, the future traveler or inhabitant of those fertile valleys, might enjoy the fruits of his early efforts. Such was Johnny Apple-seed — did he not erect for himself monuments more worthy, if not more enduring, than piles of marble or statues of brass?”
John Wardner wrote the above in 1867 in his text American Pomology. The statement is, unlike the apple, truly an American sentiment, full of wonder and hope, destiny and mythology. The man which Wardner writes of, John Chapman, is more mythological than we can express. But Johnny Appleseed is important in his way, and we should celebrate him fully this apple season.
Saturday, September 26th was his 235 birthday. Amber and Katie held all apple dinners in his honor in Chicago and Iowa City. We provided an unholy amount of apples and a temperance proof quantity of cider .
Pictures posted at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28004301@N04/sets/72157622466878752/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/khargrav/
