AN APPLE A DAY: From Orchard to You

by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1990

This brief look at apples from pollination to market is especially effective in describing the modern, mechanized processing plants where computers sort apples by color, size, and weight. Colorful photos show other machines that soap and scrub apples, coat them with wax to make them shiny, and blow them dry. Apples kept at 31° F, with oxygen reduced to 2% and humidity at 95%, stay crisp and fresh for months. The author's descriptions of dwarf trees, grafting, and environmental issues are less satisfying. For example, she writes, ""The secret of controlling tree height lies in the roots. Some kinds of trees make for tall trees, while others produce short ones."" Patent also notes that ""Because spraying is expensive and because some people worry about the effects of chemicals on people, scientists are working hard on developing trees that can resist diseases."" The index is extremely brief: there are no entries for grafting or individual varieties, and John Chapman is listed only as Johnny Appleseed. For information on the growth and development of apples, Johnson's Apple Trees (1983) is superior, though this is useful for the discussion of the technology.

Pub Date: March 1, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 64

Publisher: Cobblehill/Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S