Note 206 — Chapter III · LEADING VARIETIES OF PLUMS.

Prosper Julius A. Berckmans was one of the noted horticulturists and pomologists of the generation just passing. He was born at Aerschat, near Antwerp, Belgium, October 13, 1830, his father being Dr. Louis Edouard Berckmans, author of the splendid pomological work, Album de Pomologie, and as noted in Europe as was the son in America, in horticulture and pomology. The younger Berckmans was educated in Tours, Belgium and Paris, attaining distinction as a student in botany. In 1850 father and son came to America and the following year settled at Plainfield, New Jersey. Six years later the son moved to Augusta, Georgia, and established near that place a horticultural plantation, which he called “Fruitlands,” the nursery of which has become famous throughout the world. Soon after locating in Georgia, Mr. Berckmans became interested in horticultural organizations and later his activities were extended to the promotion of horticulture in the Nation. In 1859 he became a member of the first horticultural society in Georgia. In 1876 he helped to organize and was the first president of the Georgia State Horticultural Society, a position which he held until his death. In 1860 he became a member of the American Pomological Society and was at once intrusted with important committee work in that organization. His work here was done so well that in 1887 he was elected president of the society and later was four times re-elected. Mr. Berckmans was a member of a number of state and national horticultural and scientific organizations other than those named and was an honorary member of many similar societies in Europe. In 1893 he was chosen to make the opening address of the Horticultural Congress held at the World’s Fair in Chicago that year. Mr. Berckmans was eminent in entomology as well as in botany and horticulture and was interested in all the sciences. Through much reading, study and travel he became versed in literature and art as well as science. Mr. Berckmans’ fellow-workers in horticulture, his business associates and the patrons of his nursery, justly esteemed him for his amiability, integrity and public spiritedness. At his death, November 8, 1910, a well spent life was ended.