Peter Jacobus Van Melle papers
Scope and Contents
Van Melle wrote extensively on gardening and horticultural nomenclature. Papers include Van Melle's notes on junipers, conifers, bulbs, and other plants. Also included in this collection is correspondence on miscellaneous botanical topics. Institutional correspondents include Citrus Experiment Station, Riverside, California; University of California, College of Agriculture; the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG); Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Topics include a proposal to create a horticulture encyclopedia, presented to William Jacob Robbins of NYBG. A commentary on the works of Philip Franz Von Siebold, annotated, with related notes is included as well.
Dates
- 1932
- 1941
- undated
Creator
- Van Melle, Peter Jacobus, 1891-1953. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research with permission from Mertz Library staff.
Conditions Governing Use
Requests for permission to publish material from the collection should be submitted in writing to the LuEsther T. Mertz Library of the New York Botanical Garden.
Biographical / Historical
Peter Jacobus van Melle was born in Nijkerk, Nederland on June 11 1891 and died in Poughkeepsie, New York, December 7, 1953. Van Melle helped organize the New York State Nurserymen's Association, was its first official secretary and wrote its first by-laws and constitution. He also served as the association's delegate with the American Association of Nurserymen.
Van Melle was a prolific author on a range of horticulture subjects, including plant materials and nomenclature. Many of his articles appeared in a variety of journals, including Horticulture News Series, Home Garden, Flower Grower's Monthly, and Gardener's Chronicle of America. Van Melle also authored several books and personal appraisal's of plants. His published books include Shrubs and Trees for the Small Place, The Red Book of Trees: A Guide to the Cedars (1948), and Review of Juniperus chinensis.
Extent
1.3 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection contains handwritten notes and correspondence related to a variety of horticulture issues.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into two series:
- Series 1: Horticultural Notes
- Series 2: Correspondence
Physical Location
Archives, The LuEsther T. Mertz Library, New York Botanical Garden.
Other Finding Aids
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection was transferred to the library in February 1980.
Processing Information
Processed April 2005 by Kathleene Konkle under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) PA-50678-04.
Creator
- Van Melle, Peter Jacobus, 1891-1953. (Person)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Kathleene Konkle
- Date
- April 2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Processed April 2005 by Kathleene Konkle under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) PA-50678-04.
Repository Details
Part of the The Archives of the New York Botanical Garden Repository
New York Botanical Garden, Mertz Library
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx NY 10458 United States
archives@nybg.org