204 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Resolved , That these resolutions be 
put upon record in the transactions of the 
Florida State Horticultural Society, that 
memorial notices be given due entry in 
the Society’s Report and dedicated to the 
memory of Dr. P. J. A. Berckmans, one 
of the country’s foremost horticulturists, 
and that space in this portion of the 
transactions be given to a likeness of Dr. 
F. W. Inman. 
DR. PROSPER J. A. BERCKMANS. 
For many years past the horticultural 
world has been most familiar with the 
name of Dr. P. J. A. Berckmans, of 
Augusta, Ga. His death Nov. 8th, last, 
was a very serious loss and is a national 
calamity, inasmuch as his labors along 
horticultural lines for many years have 
been of the greatest importance to the 
country. His works were authoritative 
and his researches instructive. The ripe 
information resulting from his labors has 
done much toward bringing into national 
repute all lines of horticultural knowl¬ 
edge, and popularizing the subject. Quot* 
ing from the Augusta Chronicle of Nov* 
ember 9th, 1910: 
“The death of one of Augusta’s dis¬ 
tinguished citizens, Dr. Prosper J. A. 
Berckmans, comes as a distinct shock, not 
only to this city but to the people of this 
and other states; for, although advanced 
in age, being 81 at the time of his death, 
Dr. Berckmans was, almost to a week 
ago, in such robust health and spirits as 
to give no warning of his early demise. 
In fact, almost up to the week of his 
death he came and went as usual and 
took the same active interest in his own 
affairs and affairs in general as ever; so 
much so, indeed, that when the news of 
his serious illness was first published in 
last Monday’s Chronicle, the general 
hope and feeling was that, despite his 
years, his strong constitution would con¬ 
tribute to his rapid recovery. But to the 
great sorrow and everlasting loss of this 
city and section—which he loved so well, 
and to whose welfare and advancement 
he contributed so much—this was not to 
be, and on Tuesday night this splendid 
man breathed his last, falling as some 
great oak of the forest that had towered 
above his fellows for so long, leaving a 
void that the present generation will not 
live to see filled. 
“It is only when death summons one of 
the truly distinguished, honored and be¬ 
loved members of a community that even 
his neighbors can realize the fullness of 
the loss; for, however much we may 
have recognized his deeds in life or ap¬ 
preciated the force of his character and 
scope of his influence, it is only when we 
come to understand that he has been for¬ 
ever taken from us, that we fully com¬ 
prehend his true value. And it is dealing 
in no superficial praise to say that this 
was never more true than in the death 
of Dr. Berckmans; for, look where we 
will there is no one to take his place 
amongst us. 
