Apple trees on Valaam rocks are in bloom. Local monks are cultivating fruit here. They revive tradition of unique gardening, in fact, one and a half centuries ago thanks to diligence of eremites the northern island reminded subtropics as grapes and water-melons grew here. Scientists from Michurinsk came to help еру community: they have grown a special kind of fruit trees that can grow on rocks.
The last can of Valaam sweets is gone. The jam made by monks in September lasted half a year. For visitors from Michurinsk State Agrarian University it is a bright example that work in gardens of Valaam is well-done.
This is a garden on rocks. The layer of soil on rocks of Valaam makes only 10 centimeters. However, since XIV century monks tried to grow up fruit trees on the island. For centuries they have been bringing soil from woods. Pilgrims, coming for religious holidays, from all Russia were bringing soil for monastic gardens. "Even now I keep receiving packages with soil," - the agriculturist of Valaam gardens, hieromonch Grigory tells.
The monastic garden is a prototype of the Garden of Eden. In the 1980s it was on the verge of destruction. 150-year old trees have been damaged by wreckers and illnesses. Apple-trees and pear-trees were being superseded by pines and fur-trees. Revival of the garden has begun 20 years ago. Now trees blooming over the rocks are like the symbol of completion of Valaam monastery restoration.
Ekaterina Fisenko
http://www.vesti.ru
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