Apple orchards have long been a feature of Tuolumne County.  While only a few are still in production, at one time, Tuolumne County apples were well known and highly sought after.  Tuolumne County even sold itself as "The land of promise for apple growers where good unimproved land can be secured at very a reasonable figure."  One man who made this promise a reality was Frank Ralph, who around the turn of the century planted 26 acres of apples between Tuolumne and Soulsbyville.  It is a matter of record that in 1919 that orchard produced 15,000 dollars worth of apples.  Records also show that Tuolumne County apples that same year were selling up to $2.00 a box more than other apples.  Frank Ralph was quickly joined in the apple business by brothers Galo and Walter who planted apples on their bordering ranches.  Walter's ranch is the sight of present day Cover's Apple Ranch.  The trees on the ranch today were planted by him in the 1920's.  In 1939 the ranch was sold to Albert Bowlsby who developed the ranch to its full production which during one year produced 17,000 boxes of apples.