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1) Editor's Comments:With the flood of virus messages flowing around the Internet the past two weeks, we've seen a rash of full mailboxes. Rest assured, if you've been one of them, we aren't being as fast at dropping subscribers. Of course you've heard of Johnny Appleseed, but do you know the real story? We'll share some info with you. Of course we have more, including a cactus tip, a tomato tip, and for our Reader Mailbag, we answer a quick question regarding poppy seeds. One other item this week is via a request to re-run something from about six months ago entitled Old Geezers. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Tom Krueger Rex Gregor "Exotic & Unusual Seeds from Around the World" 2) Johnny Appleseed:Did you know there was a real Johnny Appleseed? Yes, John Chapman, who lived from 1774 to 1845.
As we said, Johnny Appleseed's real name was Johnny Chapman. He was born to Nathaniel and Elizabeth in Leominister, Massachusetts on September 26th, 1774. His father actually served as one of the Minutemen who fought in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Johnny's mother passed away with tuberculosis in 1776. His father re-married Lucy Cooley and they had ten more children. John Chapman grew up as a very religious young man, and became a self-appointed missionary for the Church of the New Jerusalem, a Christian Church based on the Biblical interpretations of Emanuel Swedonborg. John became known for his love of his neighbors and he often served as a peacemaker between the Indians and the settlers.
As an astute businessman he sold his trees for a few pennies each, or bartered for whatever he could use. From others who had no cash or anything to barter, he accepted a simple promise to pay at a later date. John Chapman was a small man and often his clothing fit him poorly. This lead to some of the humorous descriptions of his personal appearance, which also happened to fit his personality. He preferred to walk wherever he went, and because shoes were hard to come by, he went barefoot. He carried his simple camping gear on his back. There is a legend about him wearing a cooking kettle on his head that is probably not true. That likely started because of the gear on his back. He often used a boat, canoe or raft to transfer large loads of apple seeds along the many waterways of the frontier country. Johnny Appleseed customarily obtained his apple seeds in the fall from Pennsylvania cider presses. He'd wash and pack them in leather bags for planting the following spring on his travels to the wilderness areas. There is no way of knowing how many seeds he planted in hundreds of areas south of the Great Lakes, between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. But we do know, this was Johnny Appleseed's service to mankind. Back then, most of the state governments decided that a new homestead, in order to receive free land, would require the planting of at least 50 apple trees in their first year. This law was established because of poor transportation in the interior of the country, and apples were a practical necessity in the early settler's diet. Johnny Appleseed owned many tracks of land throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. He used this land to plant apple seeds. He'd then transplant the seedlings for new orchards. He sold and gave away seeds to the pioneer settlers -- at the same time he spread religion to the pioneers. In memory of Johnny Appleseed, we encourage you to plant at least two apple trees in or near your garden. This would be a good variety for you to try. D2230 Old Homestead Apple (Malus pumila var. wrighthii) Are paying too much for long distance? Check out our best rate calculator. Click here or visit http://ld.net/calculator/?goalsmint 3) Humor for Today:The fourth-grade class was studying the development of the auto industry. The teacher had emphasized the role played by Henry Ford, whose assembly lines decreased production costs. At the end of the unit, she gave a test including the question: "What did Henry Ford invent that made buying a car more affordable?" One of the students wrote: "0% financing." 4) Best Indoor Home for Cactus:
If you have a succulent in a plastic pot, consider transplanting to a clay pot. Do so without disturbing the soil around the roots. Also, whether your clay pot is new or previously used, it is always best to give it a good scrubbing with soap and hot water. Oh, and don't throw out those clay pots that are chipped or broken - they can be broken up and used for drainage layers. 5) Keep Tomatoes Cozy:
It's not to early to
start planning for your fall decorations. Click Here or visit http://rexseedco.com/art/autumn.htm 6) Quote for Today:"Without an extensive root system, even the tallest, mightiest
tree would topple. Without learning, discipline, integrity, commitment,
persistence, patience and effort, even the most magnificent dream would
crumble." 7) Reader Mailbag: Poppy Seeds" When do you plant poppy seeds? How deep in the soil?"Poppy seeds are best planted in early spring. Poppies do not transplant well. Therefore, it is best if you plant them directly in place, that is, where you want them to grow. Poppies are best germinated by sprinkling the seeds on the surface and misting them frequently until they start to grow. You may want to remove unwanted plants to selectively make a specific color scheme. 8) Old Geezers:"Geezers" (slang for an old man) are easy to spot: At sporting events, during the playing of the National Anthem, Old Geezers hold their caps over their hearts and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them. Old Geezers remember World War I, the Depression, World War II Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age,the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing, not to mention Vietnam. If you bump into an Old Geezer on the sidewalk,he will apologize. If you pass an Old Geezer on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women. Old Geezers hold the door for the next person and always, when walking,make certain the lady is on the inside for protection. Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth on TV or in movies. Old Geezers have moral courage. They seldom brag unless it's about their grandchildren. It's the Old Geezers who know our great country is protected, not by politicians or police, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country. This country needs Old Geezers with their decent values. We need them now more than ever. Thank God for Old Geezers! Pass this on to all the Old Geezers you know. 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added, or are a valued customer of Rex's Seedco. PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times Click Here or send email to subscribegtt@goalsmint.com To unsubscribe Click Here or send email to unsubscribegtt@goalsmint.com Tom Krueger, Editor and Publisher Rex Gregor, Contributing Editor Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
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Some of the folklore about Johnny Appleseed may be in conflict with
the actual stories about John Chapman. You can make your own decisions
on what may be the true facts. Hope you will enjoy our story about
this folklore hero, Johnny Appleseed.
Johnny Appleseed was a practical businessman and a sincere Christian.
Somewhere, somehow, he saw a vision of the wilderness blossoming with
apple trees - the fragrant blossoms giving the westward moving settlers
the promise of a fruitful harvest. He endured the hardships of the
wilderness trying to make his dream come true.
Whether you have success or failure with cactus and succulents can
depend on how and where they're potted. Their best indoor home is a
clay pot with a large drainage hole in the bottom. The porosity of
the clay allows the roots to get the air they need. Plastic pots retain
water, which is great for many houseplants, but not for cactus and
succulents - you don't want the roots and the underside of the plants
to rot.
September is here and cold weather is not far behind for many. Here
is a little tip to help keep your tomatoes bearing a little longer.
Flank your plant with two flat stones or tiles. You'll have the sun
shining on them absorbing heat during the day, and at night they'll
radiate the heat back. 