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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

  • circa 1920-1941

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

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 New York Botanical Garden, Mertz Archives Repository

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