It was an important enough industry that they took a tree by tree census in 1875. How about that?

Hman, I find these articles very interesting as I love the history of what we are growing. For an article I wrote on apples I found out the first RI Greening was grown by a 'Mr. Green' in Middletown, RI in 1650. To this day we have 'Green End' Avenue. The orchards in RI go between shrinking (younger kids don't want the family business) to growing (interested out of town young retirees want to perpetuate the business). Its a funny thing, but that is happening here. Just like our vineyards are growing (too bad they produce horrible wine). The colonials were key to bringing appleseeds to our state but Indians took over by planting orchards. Families then started their own home orchards that grew into a business. "Hard Cider" made the cold winters pass a bit easier. Mrs. G

Mrs. G, that cracks me up about your local wine. Seems like vineyards are sprouting up everywhere nowadays to sell wine to tourists. On the east coast the wine is apparently not very good anywhere although I'm not a good judge of it.

It is time some folks got creative and started making delicious alcoholic beverages with other fruit besides grapes. At least real cider is catching on, but there is so much more that could be done. In this link they mention apple whiskey as an historic beverage.

With all the craft distilleries opening up maybe someone in NY should try aging apple whiskey in oak barrels using heirloom apples. I'm sure that would go over big in trendy Brooklyn bars even if it was only marginally palatable.

I like Michigan wine, it's excellent. We keep beating California for awards.
At the 2013 International Eastern Wine Competition Winners Announced
Best of show
CAB Cellars LLC (MI)- 2011 Laurentide Winery Riesling

Best of class
St. Julian Winery (MI)- Red Heron Semi-Sweet Wine
Tabor Hill Winery (MI)- Cabernet Franc Port
Lemon Creek Winery (MI)- Shiraz
Chateau Grand Traverse (MI)- 2010 Gamay Noir Reserve

We also kicked butt at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition taking 2 double Gold medals and 2 gold medals.

I was thinking of making 'Eau de Vie'! Powerful stuff but no more difficult than making Lemoncello. Don't like sweet drinks, so 'Eau de Vie' over a little ice after dinner is great! Mrs. G