Highlights: October 2006 Show

Apple Brandy
Guest: Lester Clements, Distiller–Laird and Company
llairdunn@lairdandcompany.com
732.542.0312
Lisa Laird Dunn, Vice President

Laird and Company is the nation’s oldest licensed distiller, celebrating its 226th year this year.

Laird and Company operated continually until Prohibition was decalared. The company survived Prohibition by selling applesauce, sweet cider and licensed Apple Brandy for medicinal purposes.

During WWII Laird dried and dehydrated apple pomace for pectin to aid in the war effort.

Laird’s AppleJack is a specialty product blended of 35 percent Apple Brandy and 65% neutral spirits.

By federal law only whole apples may be used in the production of AppleJack.  There are no additives, starters, or yeast cultures employed in the process.

Soil Improvement
Guest: Neal P. Beasley Horticultural Specialist/ Landscape Designer–Timmons Group
1001 Boulders Parkway, Suite 300
Richmond, VA  23225
804.200.6456
E-mail: Neal.Beasley@Timmons.com
www.timmons.com

Central Virginia soils are typically high in minerals and low in organic matter.

In the Piedmont region of Virginia most soils are either clay, sand or a mixture of the two. Construction activity can compound the natural compaction of our soils.

The first step in soil improvement is to have the soil tested. This will provide valuable information relative to the soils nutritional needs.

Cultivate the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Often this requires heavy tillers or even power augers to break up seriously compacted soil.

Incorporate organic matter to improve the porosity of the soiland prevent the clay or sand from compacting again. Work the organic material and any amendments suggested by the soil test thoroughly into the tilled soil.

Lastly, re-test the soil every two or three years to maintain its fertility.