824 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
Berckmans Company also introduced the Peen-to peach, 
one of the most satisfactory forms for cultivation in the 
South. The popularizing of the sand pear tribe and its 
hybrids; of the kumquat, the Japanese persimmons, and 
some of the Japanese plums, has been a part of the life work 
of Mr. Berckmans and his successors. 
For many years, P. J. A. Berckmans occupied the posi¬ 
tion of chief executive of the American Bornological Society, 
to which he succeeded on the retirement of its first presi¬ 
dent, Marshall P. Wilder, of which further mention is made 
by his co-workers. 
He was fortunate in being able to interest his three sons 
in his own life work, and the Fruitland Nurseries are now 
being continued by Louis A., Robert C., and P. J. A. Berck¬ 
mans, Jr. The firm was incorporated with these members 
in 1898. Mr. Berckmans will be remembered as a courteous 
and cultured gentleman; a man of science, a successful man 
of affairs, the co-worker of a gen¬ 
eration of horticulturists now 
passed away, of which the Down- 
ings, Warder, Thomas, Marshall P. 
Wilder, and Patrick Barry, were 
members, and one who had an 
important part in acting as a 
connecting link between the horti¬ 
culture of the new and the old 
world. His place cannot be filled, 
but his business will be prosecuted 
vigorously and intelligently by his 
three sons. 
TRIBUTES BY HIS CO¬ 
WORKERS 
Wm. C. Barry, Rochester, N. Y. 
Mr. Berckmans and his friends 
—Downing, Thomas, Wilder, Plovey, Barry, Elliott and 
W r arder rendered a great service to the whole country 
in the careful testing of a variety of fruits and in the 
publication of the American Pomological Society’s cata¬ 
logue. It is greatly to be regretted that so many choice 
fruits once .cultivated are no longer grown and that the 
majority of gardens are deficient in the variety 
that is necessary for a succession for the family 
table. 
I am hoping that in the near future new interest will be 
taken in this subject of a fruit supply for the family and 
that the fruits of high quality may receive attention once 
more. We need men of Mr. Berckmans’ type for this 
work. 
Wm. C. Strong, Waban, Mass. 
“It was in 1848 that I first heard the clarion call of Mr. 
Wilder to become a member of the National Pomological 
Society. At that early date, it was natural that, under 
the lead of such men as Wilder, Walker and Hovey in 
Boston, Downing, Parsons, Barry and others in New York, 
undue consideration was given to northern and eastern 
interests. But this new organization at once revealed the 
host of kindred spirits from all parts of the land, who were 
devoted to the advancement of pomology. It is not 
invidious to say that Prosper J. Berckmans stands foremost, 
as a representative from his section of our country. From 
the beginning of the Society he took an active interest in 
its work, and was recognized as a wise and able authority 
and judge of fruits. How vividly do I recall his clear, 
liquid eye, his alert and hearty manner, as he conducted his 
work in committee, or in debate! The bond of fellowship 
in those early days, between the northern and southern 
members of the Society was strong and remained unbroken 
during the years of political strife. Mr. Berckmans has 
been spared for many years of usefulness, which were 
crowned with success to the end. We cherish his memory, 
we honor and are stimulated by his example. Generous 
and magnetic soul, we were glad for your companionship in 
earthly labors; may we have renewed acquaintance in the 
life eternal!’’ 
Col. G. B. Brackett, United States 
Pomologist 
The passing of Prosper J. 
Berckmans removes one of the 
foremost figures from American 
horticulture. For more than fifty 
years he has been before the 
public as a nurseryman and a 
fruitgrower. For more than fifty 
years his name has been a house¬ 
hold word to orchardists in the 
South. He was a pioneer in 
orchard work there and he backed 
his statements by sound judgment 
and good, hard, honest work. He 
helped to lift the peach industry 
from its initial beginnings to 
first place in the commerce of 
Georgia. And the Georgia peach, like the Georgia water¬ 
melon, made the state famous in horticultural history. 
He established “Fruitlands,” a magnificent floral park, 
overlooking the city of Augusta. He found much of 
northern Georgia a wilderness; he left it a place of pomo¬ 
logical beauty. 
“Fruitlands” is numbered among the most picturesque 
and hospitable homes in America. A beautiful background 
for the picture of the honest, fine old horticulturist. His 
home was the center of warm hearted hospitality, the Mecca 
towards which prospective fruitgrowers continually drifted; 
and no visitor was ever turned from his door step empty 
handed. He lived, talked, preached and practiced land¬ 
scape art, pomology, forestry and floriculture. He was 
the acknowledged expert on evergreens in the South. He 
was as unostentatious in his social life as he was scien¬ 
tific in his chosen calling. As a pomologist he had few 
equals, and I am glad that a page in the National 
Nurseryman is dedicated to testimonials of the worth of 
President Berckmans. 
I like to think of him as President Berckmans. He 
occupied that position in the American Pomological 
Society for so many years. And he was president of the 
Georgia Horticultural Society for more than 33 years, a 
A hedge of Citrus Trifoliata at Fruitlands, Georgia. 
Mr. Berckmans was instrumental in popularizing 
this useful plant. 
