Our local bird species are beginning to congregate into flocks for migration south, which signals a sure sign that fall is rapidly approaching. It is a time when we harvest mature garden crops planted last spring. School has started. Trees are beginning to undress. It is a time for preparation for the cold winter months.
The last cutting of alfalfa is in the haymow. The sickle mower, rakes and hay loader have been cleaned, greased and put away in the shed. Our molasses crop has matured and we will be taking the hand-stripped stalks to the processor soon. He will smash the stalks, collect the juice, boil it down and return our winter’s supply of molasses to us. We always try to glean and store everything possible that is edible, including black walnuts, for use by the family.
Fall apples are rapidly ripening and we will be making cider in the cider press any day now. We use Winesap, Golden Delicious and Rome Beauty apples. My family likes to drink the sweet cider but most
