Roll your sleeves up & get started...
Like most people who follow a hobby, I like to absorb as much knowledge as I can, from a variety of sources. Alan Rowe's book is full of useful information for people who are growing apples or pears for use as food, or drink - alcoholic or otherwise. For my purposes it is best described as an accompanying book to 'fill in the gaps' in my knowledge through the passing on of Alan's many years of experience in growing and pressing these fruit, and looking after the land on which his trees grow. It is aimed mainly at those with a kitchen garden, allotment or smallholding, whether there are existing fruit trees or space to plant new trees. The focus is primarily homegrown fruit and from it making a range of homemade drinks.

The book details a wide range of apple and pear varieties, but appears to favour those which grow well in the east of the UK (Alan lives in Suffolk) and so many well know cider varieties, popular in the midlands and the west, are absent. But then, at least we can be sure that Alan is only describing those varieties he is familiar with and has had experience of.

The book contains an interesting history of apples and pears along with many of Alan's thoughts on modern agriculture and man's impact on the environment. Alan also includes instructions on making your own press and 'scratter', along with a number of his 'recipes' for 'cyder' (Suffolk cider) as well as recipes for cooking with apples. Everything is written in a concise, easy-to-understand manner and thankfully he does not assume any prior knowledge (unlike many writers...). This is very helpful when Alan discusses the chemistry of fermentation and the control of pests and diseases.

I particularly like the way that Alan steers the reader towards working with the land and nature, rather than taking an austere organic or chemical approach to ferilisers, pests and diseases. Again, it's all down-to-earth and common sense stuff.

If you fancy a go at growing apples or pears, or have inherited a tree or two and can only afford to buy one book, you won't go far wrong if you buy this one.