> I have to say that the ones that I can get in > the stores in Colorado are not very firm, and > I have no idea of where they > are grown. Hi Jean, Make sure you're getting the Rome Beauty and NOT the Red Rome. They're two different apples. I live in Gallia County and have studied in depth Civil War era fruits and vegetables. In 1857 the Ohio Agricultural book listed the Rome Beauty as one of the "six best winter apples in Gallia County," along with Thomas Jefferson's favorite the Spitzenburg Esopus, and four others. It is one of the best trees for the red clay soil that we have around here. Unfortunately, I contacted some of the Gillet family back when I was looking to purchase a young tree, and they had none available -- I had to order mine from California, and for some reason my three different Rome Beauties passed away before they matured enough to bear fruit. I've given up on growing it myself, but I do look for the fruit in stores and in roadside stands. The Rome Beauty is a beautiful apple to be cut in eighths and fried up along with pork in a little bit of garlic and cinnamon. It's also wonderful for just about anything from the table to the oven -- GREAT apple! A special thanks to Lawrence County for such a wonderful product! :-) Linda Trent [email protected]