Copper Market opened its autumn Apple Row this morning with seven fruit stalls, two cider presses and one competition for the largest eating apple. The Market Office supplied a standard measuring ring after last year’s argument over whether width should include the stalk.
The ring solved that problem and created another. One trader says an apple that fits through the ring diagonally should count differently from an apple that fits straight. Another trader says this is “geometry pretending to be fruit.” By eleven, three schoolchildren had begun taking notes.
Market officials will judge apples by maximum width, excluding stalks, leaves and persuasive language. The largest entry currently belongs to a quiet farmer who has not argued with anyone. This has made the other competitors suspicious.
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