|
Training for Book Authors
|
|
|
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
|
|
|
Please Support Our Advertisers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Modern Fruit Trees Evolved From Ancient Historical Roots
Copyright (c) 2006-2023 Patrick Malcolm
The rise and fall of ancient empires has developed parallel also to the establishment and destruction of advanced fruit tree orchards. Ancient fruit trees such as olive tree orchards increased the wealth and health of nations by feeding the populations, providing nutritious olive oil to light lamps in ancient houses at night, as food and a cooking medium, and for the purpose of anointing Kings and Queens. Olive trees could not produce continuous crops unless the gardeners growing them could provide a secure, peaceful growing environment. The original plantings of olive trees were slow growing and could not produce a satisfactory crop of fruit, until the trees matured to bear crops in 10 to 15 years. It was well known by ancient warrior conquerors and Kings, that hostile nations could be neutralized for many years, if the fruit orchards were destroyed. The ancient Greek soldiers either confiscated the enemy orchards for their own future use, or they destroyed the trees, if they planned to move on to prevent the defeated nations from rebuilding agriculturally and to later return as a threat in the future. The Romans fought the citizens of Carthage in North Africa, defeating them many times, only to experience a resurgence of Carthage attacks and invasions. Finally the Romans destroyed every building in the city of Carthage, leaving no stone atop another and spread salt to poison the agricultural land to prevent any possible rebuilding, since food could not be produced on salt contaminated land.
Two centuries later, Israel destroyed 50,000 olive trees in Palestine, also located in North Africa like the city of Carthage, to prevent the Palestinian nation from enjoying the fruit and wealth of the olive orchards.
The Hebrew Bible, in the book of Genesis, records that the first fruits eaten by Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden; however, they were forbidden to eat the fruit from the tree in the center of the garden, that was growing on the tree of knowledge about good and evil, but they ate the fruit anyway. Many Bible translators suspect that this fruit was the apple, but other botanists say that the fruit of the apple was not known then-that the quince was the most likely forbidden fruit, the most ancient relative of the apple. After eating this controversial fruit, Adam and Eve were expelled from their paradise on Earth, and after realizing their nakedness, they covered their bodies with leaves from the fig tree. King Solomon of Israel spoke poetically and in songs about his gardens growing lushly with fruits of the Earth. Figs and fig trees are often mentioned in Hebrew Scriptures, most profoundly when Jesus cursed a barren fig tree that instantly became dead, when it didn't provide figs to eat as he passed by.
Ezekiel 47-12: "All kinds of fruit trees will grow along the river banks, the leaves will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit. There will be a new crop every month- without fail! For they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for medicine."
Olive oil was used to anoint the Kings of Israel. Olive trees are often mentioned in the Scriptures-the most memorable story, the Mount Olive trees, underneath which Jesus prayed before his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane that led to his conviction by the Governor Pilate, and the resulting infamous crucifixion by the Romans. Pomegranates were well known and revered by the Israelites who carved images of the pomegranate fruit, that were used to decorate pillars at the Temple in Jerusalem. Perhaps the most famous fruit of the Bible was the grape that grew in vineyards and was highly prized to eat fresh, to dry as raisins and to ferment into wine and further into vinegar. Numerous references are made in the Bible to grapes, the products of grapes and the wealth provided them from the grape vineyards to the property owners. Many tropical fruit trees such as citrus trees, jujube trees, banana trees, and loquat trees probably originated from Oriental origins such as China and India. It is also probable that the stone-fruits, such as peach trees, cherry trees, apricot trees, nectarine trees (smooth skin peach), and plum trees containing a large seed in the center, originated in the Orient. Many botanists speculate that the fruits of mulberry trees, fig trees, pomegranate trees, and crabapples may have originated in the mid-East territories.
There is little doubt that Oriental persimmons originated in China and was spread to the Japanese mainland.
Several fruits are native to America and after the discovery of mayhaw trees, red mulberry trees, guava trees, pawpaw trees, Chickasaw plum trees, and Ogeechee lime trees, considerable efforts have been made to improve these fruits by the selection of superior cultivars and grafting them onto various cold hardy rootstocks.
To those interested in the natural history of fruit trees, it is clear that many fruits exist today, because those ancient gardeners selected the seed of favorable fruits and planted the seed gradually resulting in fruit improvements. Some of these fruit trees could be increased by vegetative rooting of twigs and branches or by increasing multiple trunked plants by division and replanting them in gardens for cultivation. Some fruit trees could not be increased by rooting or division and the planting of the seed gave unpredictable results. Some delicious sweet peaches with large juicy fruits might produce seed that when planted, the trees would produce a wide assortment of flavors, shapes, and sizes; some bitter or sour, some irregularly shaped, some large or small. This unpredictable outcome of planting seed of superior fruit trees was finally overcome by the art of grafting, which was well known and practiced as evidenced by the ancient Romans' historical accounts.
By examining the historical record of fruit trees in the Hebrew Bible, we discover that fruit trees fed the first earthly man and woman in a fruitful garden of paradise at the site and birthplace of civilization-the Tigris and Euphrates Valleys near the modern nation of Iraq. For an extended period of history, man was expelled from his earthly paradise, but today a gardener can buy his own wish list of fruit trees, and experience his own man-made heaven beneath the ageless, ancient, delightful sky.
|
Written by: Patrick Malcolm. Learn more about various trees by visiting the author's website: http://www.tytyga.com
|
VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >>
0 -
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5
<< Excellent Article
Tell our authors what you think about their article.
|
Top-Level Category: Home and Garden Articles || Related Categories: Nature and Pets Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Patrick Malcolm
Palm Trees Suitable For Containers Used Outside And Inside Your Home Or Office
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-05-25 |
Word Count: 782 |
Page Views: 8101
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 2.14
If there is ever anything you want to know about Palm trees, then
read this article as we look at the various Palm trees available.
The Modern Soft Yellow Banana Evolved From The Cooking Banana As The Number One Fruit In The World
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-05-02 |
Word Count: 1431 |
Page Views: 8108
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 3.40
The early Spanish explorers introduced banana plants into America
from Spain as a hardcore, large cooking banana, known as a
Plantain banana. The amazing yellow fresh eating banana, that we
know today sold by supermarkets, resulted from a mutation from
the hardcore tissues of the parent plantain banana plant, that
was then growing in Jamaica.
Windmill Palm Trees, Tropical Accent Plants, Cold Hardy For Northern United States And Canada
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-04-26 |
Word Count: 853 |
Page Views: 7465
| Votes: 11 |
Rating: 2.36
The Cold Hardy Windmill Fan Palm tree originated on the island of
Chusan off the east coast of China, and the Windmill palm tree is
often called the Chinese or Chusan Fan Palm. The Windmill Palm
tree was named in Latin, Trachycarpus fortunei, after Robert
Fortune, and after 158 years, in the year 2007, these Windmill
Fan Palm trees are still growing gracefully as a distinguished,
exotic, rare tree at Kew Gardens, a palm of noble bearing.
The Ancient Crinum Lily Inhabiting The Island Of St. Simon, And Sea Island, Ga.
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-03-20 |
Word Count: 856 |
Page Views: 4555
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 2.80
William Bartram, a notable, early American botanist, extensively
explored the Island of St. Simons in Georgia; describing vividly
the landscape, animals and plants in the area, along with his
personal encounters with islanders, and in most cases, their
generous offers of food, shelter and conversation and hospitality
to him in March of the year 1774.
The History Of Almond Tree, Prunus Dulcis
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-03-06 |
Word Count: 694 |
Page Views: 5286
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 1.50
The ancient travelers and traders, who circulated back and forth
over the Silk Road route between Greece and Turkey, used almonds
in their commercial trading, in exchange for other expensive and
desirable goods.
History Of Mulberry Trees, 'Morus Alba,' 'Morus Rubrum,' And 'Morus Nigra'
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-02-23 |
Word Count: 870 |
Page Views: 7778
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.35
Mulberry trees were well known in the ancient civilizations of
the world. They were famous fruit trees, because of the delicious
berry fruits that were abundantly produced by fast growing
trees-loaded with huge green leaves that were eaten by livestock,
along with the berries, and the leaves were used in the Orient to
fatten silkworms for the silk trade.
The History And Evolution Of Banana Hybrids
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-02-05 |
Word Count: 794 |
Page Views: 6004
| Votes: 12 |
Rating: 2.58
Bananas are the world's favorite fruit and many nations depend
on banana trees to supply its citizens with this delicious food
product to save them from famines. Bananas are available on
markets year round and are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber,
containing only small hollow seed that are infertile. Ornamental
bananas, 'Musa ensete' and 'Musa nana' are inedible but in
high demand for landscaping.
Rare Flowering Trees That Light Up Your Garden Landscape
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-01-24 |
Word Count: 1231 |
Page Views: 6217
| Votes: 11 |
Rating: 2.27
Flowering apricot trees offer spectacular flowering blooms
earlier than any other flowering tree, sometimes blooming as
early as January. This early flowering can result in cold weather
damage in some areas of the United States.
History Of Peach Trees, Prunus Persica
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-01-17 |
Word Count: 1481 |
Page Views: 6391
| Votes: 11 |
Rating: 2.27
Peach trees, Prunus persica, are originally believed to have come
from China to the Mideast through the trade routes known to
extend to Turkey and Iran (Persia). The peach seeds could be used
to plant and grow trees throughout North Africa and Europe and
finally were introduced to America in the mid 1500's. The first
appearance of peaches in China may date back to 2000 BC.
History Of Blueberry Plants
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-01-08 |
Word Count: 1120 |
Page Views: 7493
| Votes: 21 |
Rating: 2.67
Very few historical records exist on ancient blueberry culture in
the Greek and Roman empires. Those cultures did use parts of the
blueberry plants and fruit to eat or to treat ailments.
All of Author's Articles on this site: Patrick Malcolm Articles
Most Recent "Home And Garden" Articles
Choosing Outdoor Playground Equipment for Your Back Yard
Written by: Giana Briggs |
Distributed: 2011-03-22 |
Word Count: 473 |
Page Views: 6404
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 0.50
Perhaps you've reached a point where you think it's time
for your children to learn to love the outdoors. And what
better way to do that then have an outdoor play set right in
your very own back yard.
Tips for Choosing the Best Building Materials for an Outdoor Play Set
Written by: Giana Briggs |
Distributed: 2011-03-15 |
Word Count: 422 |
Page Views: 6574
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 1.00
Children these days spend most of their time attached to a
computer or video game. Very few children are ever seen on
the playgrounds anymore. And it's becoming worse with every
new device that comes out. But as parents, we can break this
trend with outdoor toys the kids look forward to using.
Building the Perfect Backyard Playground for Your Kids
Written by: Giana Briggs |
Distributed: 2011-03-10 |
Word Count: 466 |
Page Views: 6739
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 1.20
Every child loves to play at the playground, and nothing is
better than having your very own playground in the backyard.
It's as exciting to a child as Christmas morning. How do we
as parents pick out the perfect outdoor play set for them?
Setting the Stage for More Rooftop Farms
Written by: Mohamed Hage |
Distributed: 2010-11-17 |
Word Count: 855 |
Page Views: 5912
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 1.00
Mohamed Hage, founder of the world's first urban commercial
rooftop farm discusses the benefits and difficulties of
putting farms on rooftops.
How To Choose The Right Rug For A Room
Written by: Alycia Hartzell |
Distributed: 2010-10-26 |
Word Count: 441 |
Page Views: 5435
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 0.25
Choosing the right area rug for a room goes beyond simply
selecting a rug that you like. Existing factors within the
room will determine the rug you should select.
Solar Power for Homes - What You Need to Know
Written by: M.S. Rochell |
Distributed: 2010-08-12 |
Word Count: 553 |
Page Views: 5322
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 1.50
Some surprising new developments in solar power for homes
may make using solar energy in your daily life more possible
than you may think!
Solar Lamp Post Lights Reduce Energy Costs!
Written by: M.S. Rochell |
Distributed: 2010-08-10 |
Word Count: 466 |
Page Views: 8849
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 0.33
Using solar lamp post lights is a simple and affordable way
to help the environment, beautify your home and save money
on energy costs.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Written by: M.S. Rochell |
Distributed: 2010-08-05 |
Word Count: 741 |
Page Views: 4881
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 2.00
Learn about solar power, how it works, and why this abundant
renewable energy source is becoming more accessible to more
people.
Why a Home Solar Panel Will Save You Money and How You Can Get One for Free
Written by: M.S. Rochell |
Distributed: 2010-08-03 |
Word Count: 739 |
Page Views: 5619
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 1.50
What is a home solar panel and how can it save you money?
Solar energy panels are a new eco-friendly option for
homeowners who want to heat and cool their home efficiently
using the sun’s rays. There are a number of ways you can
install solar panels affordably or even for free!
The Top 5 Reasons to Insulate Your Home This Summer
Written by: Erin Shaughnessy |
Distributed: 2010-07-27 |
Word Count: 429 |
Page Views: 5636
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.00
For homeowners who have been considering adding home
insulation - this summer is the time to do it.
Most Viewed "Home And Garden" Articles
How To Clean A Wool Rug
Written by: Alycia Hartzell |
Distributed: 2009-08-04 |
Word Count: 417 |
Page Views: 25537
| Votes: 30 |
Rating: 2.30
Surprisingly enough, cleaning a wool rug is a lot easier
than most people think. By following these simple steps you
will be able to clean your wool rug and save the money you
would normally spend to have it professionally cleaned.
Famous Waterfalls of the World
Written by: Elizabeth Jean |
Distributed: 2007-04-02 |
Word Count: 939 |
Page Views: 18949
| Votes: 53 |
Rating: 1.85
About 70% of the Earth's surface is permanently covered in
water. Water shapes our coastlines and carves channels through
countries and landscapes. Inevitably, water sometimes runs across
a sudden drop in the level of the land, and a waterfall is born.
7 Extraordinary Ceiling Treatments
Written by: Julie Lohmeier |
Distributed: 2006-11-28 |
Word Count: 79 |
Page Views: 17542
| Votes: 30 |
Rating: 1.77
In a recent post, I mentioned how ceilings are no longer simply
plain white. They're painted; they're designed; they're the
focal point of a room.
Decorating Tips: Best Placement for Rugs Under Furniture
Written by: AnnaRae Mills |
Distributed: 2007-03-07 |
Word Count: 681 |
Page Views: 16455
| Votes: 26 |
Rating: 2.85
Small rugs and accent rugs can usually be placed wherever they
look good or fulfill a specific purpose, but larger rugs look
best when basic guidelines for placement are followed. Since a
larger rug often serves as an anchor for a furniture grouping or
the main floor covering in a room, proper placement is essential
for several reasons, including a balanced look.
The Easy Elegance of Swags and Scarf Valances
Written by: Julie Lohmeier |
Distributed: 2006-06-15 |
Word Count: 261 |
Page Views: 14527
| Votes: 34 |
Rating: 1.68
The easiest drape to make and hang is a swag or scarf valance.
It's easy to make, looks elegant, entails less cost and fuss
than other drapery styles, and works in any room.
How to Create an Easy, No-Sew Valance in Just 15 Minutes
Written by: Julie Lohmeier |
Distributed: 2006-09-14 |
Word Count: 245 |
Page Views: 14043
| Votes: 23 |
Rating: 1.83
Here's an easy way to create a beautiful, elegant valance with
no sewing in only 15 minutes. See an example here:
Turn Your Single Family Home Into A Legal Multi Family Home
Written by: Robert Short |
Distributed: 2006-11-14 |
Word Count: 621 |
Page Views: 11994
| Votes: 24 |
Rating: 1.83
Will it really be legal? I've heard this question asked
hundreds of times, yet in my concrete cutting business, one that
is crucial in the conversion process, I have seen it done
hundreds of times. How you may ask? It's actually not any more
difficult than most major home renovations.
7 Popular Decorating Colors
Written by: Julie Lohmeier |
Distributed: 2006-07-18 |
Word Count: 520 |
Page Views: 11886
| Votes: 19 |
Rating: 2.42
Picking the right color for a room can often be the most
difficult decorating decision. The best way to find a color you
like is to look at other homes, restaurants, and good
old-fashioned paint chips. Here are some popular colors in
decorating right now.
Adding a Precast Concrete Stairway Bulkhead to Your Home
Written by: Robert Short |
Distributed: 2006-07-06 |
Word Count: 855 |
Page Views: 11610
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 3.00
Nowadays it pays to be aware of the choices available in the
market in order to make the right decisions when it comes to
improvements in the home. And with the skyrocketing price of
construction materials and services, it makes sense to know what
options are available. Take for example the installation of
precast concrete bulkhead stairway to your home's basement.
Father of Fountain Design: Gian Bernini
Written by: Elizabeth Jean |
Distributed: 2007-04-02 |
Word Count: 876 |
Page Views: 11225
| Votes: 21 |
Rating: 2.19
For centuries, visitors to Rome have admired the architecture and
art of this great European city. Its famous outdoor water
fountains, piazzas, churches and cathedrals draw many thousands
of visitors each year, as do its countless art galleries. No less
an attraction is Vatican City, in the heart of Rome, and its
principal building, the Basilica of St. Peter.
Highest Ranked "Home And Garden" Articles
The Modern Soft Yellow Banana Evolved From The Cooking Banana As The Number One Fruit In The World
Written by: Patrick Malcolm |
Distributed: 2007-05-02 |
Word Count: 1431 |
Page Views: 8108
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 3.40
The early Spanish explorers introduced banana plants into America
from Spain as a hardcore, large cooking banana, known as a
Plantain banana. The amazing yellow fresh eating banana, that we
know today sold by supermarkets, resulted from a mutation from
the hardcore tissues of the parent plantain banana plant, that
was then growing in Jamaica.
Adding a Precast Concrete Stairway Bulkhead to Your Home
Written by: Robert Short |
Distributed: 2006-07-06 |
Word Count: 855 |
Page Views: 11610
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 3.00
Nowadays it pays to be aware of the choices available in the
market in order to make the right decisions when it comes to
improvements in the home. And with the skyrocketing price of
construction materials and services, it makes sense to know what
options are available. Take for example the installation of
precast concrete bulkhead stairway to your home's basement.
Scented Flowers Make A Mariah Carey Style Comeback
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF |
Distributed: 2008-01-09 |
Word Count: 370 |
Page Views: 4421
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 3.00
Singer Mariah Carey all but disappeared from the music scene only
to return a bigger star than ever in late 2005. But, in terms of
comebacks, fragrant flowers just may make an even bigger
comeback
Don't Get Burned! The Hidden Costs of Kitchen Remodeling
Written by: Aaron J. Munk |
Distributed: 2008-12-15 |
Word Count: 831 |
Page Views: 4626
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 3.00
You’ve browsed all the magazines, planned and saved and
calculated how much your kitchen remodeling ideas will cost.
You’ve gotten estimates and bids, picked a contractor and now you
are ready to get started. However, renovations are rarely without
unexpected complications and these hidden costs might have you
spending more than you thought.
Create a Home that Nurtures, Inspires and Enlivens
Written by: Barbra Sundquist |
Distributed: 2006-05-16 |
Word Count: 979 |
Page Views: 5345
| Votes: 24 |
Rating: 2.96
Quick, think of an amazing environment. A place where you feel
totally alive and inspired. Got a place in mind? Now make a
list of the attributes of that place. Is it indoors or outdoors?
Quiet or lively? What colors, smells, sounds, objects, people
are present? You've just defined what aliveness feels like for
you. Now think about your home.
How to Build a More Successful Flower Garden
Written by: Lauren Mamane |
Distributed: 2009-07-03 |
Word Count: 1046 |
Page Views: 4016
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 2.94
Flowers are the one plant that most everyone enjoys possessing,
either in the yard or in a vase on the table. The beauty of the
flower has held its place in the human heart for as long as man
has loved a woman.
Select the Right Window Coverings
Written by: Brian Wright |
Distributed: 2008-02-07 |
Word Count: 1186 |
Page Views: 6659
| Votes: 12 |
Rating: 2.92
A window covering selection should be selected for both function
and style. Blinds, shutters, drapes, curtains, and shades all
have different qualities the affect the final decision. Discover
the best window treatment for your home.
Game Room Decor, Collectibles and Yesteryear Figures
Written by: Verna D James |
Distributed: 2007-08-29 |
Word Count: 615 |
Page Views: 2167
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 2.89
A great idea for an unusual decorating theme is game room
collectibles or yesteryear figures for your home game room, not
only, that, but have you considered decorating one of guest or
reception rooms as a game room, perhaps with a snooker or pool
table, and using it for parties and the like? You can have a
different kind of 'pool' party here!
Ornamental Grasses for Fall Landscapes
Written by: Ted Roberson |
Distributed: 2006-09-29 |
Word Count: 510 |
Page Views: 4504
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.86
Ornamental Grasses are becoming extremely popular in low
maintenance landscapes as a way to add beauty and color without a
great deal of hard work in the garden. Another great way to
implement ornamental grasses is for fall landscapes.
Will Jennifer Aniston Ever Get A Red Iris On Her Birthday?
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF |
Distributed: 2008-05-22 |
Word Count: 464 |
Page Views: 5523
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 2.86
The iris, birth flower for the month of February in which
Jennifer Aniston was born, comes in almost every color you can
imagine-white, yellow, blue, purple...but not true red. You may
see them in colors very close to red, like wine or brick red,
but you won't see one in real, stop sign red.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article Reprint Rights
|
This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License
You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
|
|
Article Statistics
|
Word Count: 1052
Total Views: 4368
Article Rating: 2.19 of 5
Votes Cast: 16
More Articles By Author:
Articles On This Website
Last Distribution Date:
2006-10-27 11:36:00
Internal ID: #3771
|
|
|
Home