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Peter Jacobus Van Melle papers

 Collection
Identifier: PP-066

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

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:

  1. Series 1: Horticultural Notes
  2. 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.

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

Contact:
New York Botanical Garden, Mertz Library
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx NY 10458 United States