The 'apple library' with a lost world on its limbs

The 'apple library' with a lost world on its limbs Getty Images The explosion of crisp, commercial apple varieties in the last century doomed many other breeds into obscurity. The USDA's Plant Genetic Resources Unit in Geneva, New York, and New Zealand's Plant & Food Research's collection, among others, host thousands of apple varieties. "There's a history of apple production here," says Matthew Ordidge, a senior research fellow at the University of Reading near London and the nation's curator of apples. Veronique Greenwood The original purpose of the UK collection, founded about 100 years ago, was to support British apple breeders and growers Be that as it may, just a handful of apple varieties are grown commercially in Britain now. The original purpose of the UK collection, founded about 100 years ago, was to support British apple breeders and growers.