David Fairchild's Typescript, "Southern Trip"

Collection

Identifier: MS Group 141

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Typescript volume with hand corrections and notes, as well as photographs. Report of a trip from Washington, D.C. to Florida January to April, 1917, to survey the disappointing progress of some bamboo plants which were showing signs of insect damage when introduced to Florida. While there, a fierce winter storm came in, and Fairchild describes the effects of the freeze, February 3, 1917. Many of the photographs show icicles on various plants. During the course of the trip he does some research on cross pollination. Many personal comments, as well as comments hand-written into the volume up to 30 years later by the author, give wonderful insights to this botanist.

Dates

Creation: 1917

Creator

Fairchild, David, 1869-1954. (Person)

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

David Grandison Fairchild was an American botanist. He was born in Michigan in 1869. For most of his career he worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, managing the Department of Plant Introduction. He was a frequent visitor to Florida, and in 1898 he established a garden for introducing tropical plants in Miami. In 1926, he built a family home in Miami and filled the property with a large collection of rare tropical plants. The home is now the site of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Fairchild died in 1954.

Extent

0.25 Linear feet (1 volume)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

David Fairchild's typescript account of his 1917 trip from Washington, D.C. to Florida to observe cultivation of imported bamboo plants.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Alternate Form of Material

Digital reproductions of items in this collection are available online via the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Please read the Permissions for Use statement for information on copyright, fair use, and use of UFDC digital objects.