Field of Science

Book report on apples

Frazz is one of TPP's favorite comic strips, and today's strip (Sept. 13, 2015) was a classic because it hit TPP right in the wheel house. Caulfield presents a report on apples, and nails it, especially the analysis of the "dreaded, mealy Red Delicious".  This variety happened because of selection on its parent, the Delicous, for better color and especially better storage life. The Delicious was actually a good tasting apple, but it's so rare now only a few apple affectionados still raise this variety. A good old boy in SW Michigan surprised TPP with some Delicious a few years back, although our top 4 list still wouldn't include that variety, it did demonstrate how selection for other characters damaged its taste and texture. 

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