FLORIDA ♦STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
205 
“But, while this is true of Dr. Berck- 
mans held a peculiar place in the esteem 
and affection of Augusta people, and has 
long played an important part in the life 
of this city and section, it cannot be said 
that he belonged to us alone, or that the 
sorrow and loss caused by his death will 
be confined to this community; for not 
only was he a distinguished citizen of 
Augusta, but an honored and esteemed 
spirit of the world—a man whose name 
and works have received the highest re¬ 
cognition and distinction, and to whom, 
almost every day brought some fresh evi¬ 
dence, some new expression, to empha¬ 
size how widely and how well his works 
and character were appreciated. 
“Dr. Berckmans was one of the fore¬ 
most horticulturists of his times and the 
highest recognition of his abilities and 
achievements have been offered him by 
the most noted horticultural societies of 
both continents. Wherever the science 
of horticulture and botany is known, the 
name of Dr. Prosper J. A. Berckmans 
is known. He was an honorary member 
of various scientific organizations 
stretching from Georgia and Carolina to 
England, France, Belgium and Germany. 
“But in Augusta the admiration and 
affection in which Dr. Berckmans was 
held, has not all been for his intellectual 
achievements, nor for the pride his neigh¬ 
bors and fellow citizens have felt in his 
honored position in the world of science. 
His gentle courtesy, the perfect kindliness 
of his nature and his unfailing chivalry 
and genial personality have endeared 
him closely to those who were thrown 
with him and made for him such life¬ 
long and devoted friends as few men 
really know. 
“Nor have any citizens of Augusta the 
distinction of having done more for the 
advancement and advertisement of their 
city than Dr. Berckmans. The magnif¬ 
icent nurseries, “Fruitlands,” which 
sprang into life and beauty and useful¬ 
ness under his care, have spread in fame 
all over this country, and the business 
which is carried on there is now an in¬ 
ternational one. 
“Dr. Berckmans showed his belief in 
the wealth and future of this section 
when he first settled here in 1857. 
“He was a pioneer in horticultural 
works and experiments in this part of 
the world and he has had an immeasur¬ 
able influence in developing and beautify¬ 
ing Augusta and its attractive country 
territory. 
“Dr. Berckmans was the son of Dr. 
L. E. Berckmans, of Belgium, who, with 
Dr. Geneval, and the Conte de Merand, 
were leaders of the war of liberation of 
1830, by which Belgium was severed 
from her constrained union with Holland. 
“Dr. Berckmans was a native of Hol¬ 
land, coming to this country for the first 
time in 1848, and later in 1854, when he 
made New Jersey his home. He came to 
Augusta from Plainfields, N. J. in 1857, 
and has been living at his home, “Fruit- 
lands,” since that time. Mr. Berckmans 
was twice married. His first wife was 
Mary Craig, of New Jersey. His second 
wife, Mrs. Edith Frome Berckmans, sur¬ 
vives him. He also leaves three sons and 
a step-son: Mr. Robert C. Berckmans, 
Mr. L. A. Berckmans and Mr. P. J. A. 
Berckmans, Jr., and Mr. Alonzo F. 
Purdy. 
“The Berckmans family dates back 
with honor for a thousand years in the 
