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Archiver > GER-VOLGA > 2007-08 > 1186842545


From: "Thelma Mills" <>
Subject: Re: [GV] Question on GV crops
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2007 07:29:05 -0700
References: <20070810.174903.988.0.marvenw@juno.com>
In-Reply-To: <20070810.174903.988.0.marvenw@juno.com>


Hello - on this same subject - where did swatchberra come from? Did our
people bring them from Russia? I have been trying to find some to eat with
knebble because I am so hungry for them, but when asking on the radio Swap
Shop, I never received an answer from anyone. I think the season is just
about over now. Thelma Mills



On 8/10/07, Marven C Weitzel <> wrote:
>
> Fred Koch's book, The Volga Germans, has an interesting section on the
> crops grown in the colonies. He writes that sugar beets were grown to
> meet domestic needs. The settlers processed them into a syrup that
> served as a sweetner for many cooking purposes. A sugar beet factory was
> established at Anton on the Bergseite, reportedly as early as 1815, and
> operated on a commercial scale for sixty years, according to Koch.
> It would be no surprise to me if the introduction of sugar beets in this
> country were traced back to the Volga Germans.
> Koch reports that they also grew wheat, rye, millet, barley, oats and
> sunflowers. He says that tobacco culture expanced tremendously for fifty
> years starting in 1830.
> Orchards were also established, including apples, cherries, wild pears
> and other fruits. Not many on the list are too young to remember
> grandma's Schnitzsuppe. My grandfather must have brought some of the
> sunflower seeds over, because I remember his sunflower garden.
> They made their own brew, including beer, whiskey and vodka. My aunt
> tells the story of when my grandmother was cooking the grain for a batch
> of whiskey. The minister came calling while it was cooking and asked
> what the smell was. Grandma told him she was cooking some grain for the
> hogs.
>
> Marven Weitzel
>
> On Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:56:40 -0500 "Ward R Richter"
> <> writes:
> > All
> >
> > This listing reminded me that it would be interesting to hear what
> > crops
> > were grown back in Russia, especially the more unusual ones. My
> > family came
> > from Schulz and in addition to the usual grains, vegetables,
> > watermellons
> > and hay, they grew tobacco which was sold to American tobacco
> > companies. My
> > father drew a picture of their compound with house, barns and two
> > tobacco
> > sheds. How widespread was tobacco as a crop in other villages?
> >
> > Ward R Richter
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:
> > [mailto:]
> > On Behalf Of Dennis L. Sewald
> > Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 2:13 PM
> > To:
> > Subject: [GV] Question on GV crops
> >
> > I was told, but don't know if this is true or not. Is it true the
> > GV
> > brought with them sugar beets and winter wheat from Russia?
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> >
> >
> > Dennis Sewald
> >
> >
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