Eugene
Auchter was born at Elm Grove, New York in 1889.
He obtained his B.S. degree from Cornell University in
1912, M.S. in 1918 and Ph.D. in 1923.
He was Assistant and Associate Professor
Horticulturist at West Virginia State University from
1912 to 1917. In 1917 he became head of the department
of horticulture at the University of Maryland where he
continued until 1928 when he became Principal
Horticulturist in charge of the Division of Fruit and
Vegetable Crops and Diseases in the United States
Department of Agriculture. He became Chief of the
Bureau of Plant Industry in 1938 and continued until
1942 when he became Administrator of the Agricultural
Research Service, a position he held until 1945.
In 1945 he resigned and became Director of the
Pineapple Research Institute in Hawaii and Vice
President of the Pineapple Growers' Association. He
was a member of many horticultural organizations
including a member of the Board of Managers of the New
York Botanic Gardens, honorary Fellow of the Royal
Horticultural Society of London, A.A.A.S., American
Society of Plant Physiologists, American Society for
Horticultural Science, American Genetic Association
and the Botanical Society of America.
He was author of the following books:
Orchard and Small Fruit Culture (with H.B.
Knapp) 1929
Growing Tree and Small Fruits 1929
Dr. Auchter had a profound influence on the quality
of research in horticulture in the United States
Department of Agriculture and was of outstanding
influence with horticulture. He was a close personal
friend of Dr. E.J. Kraus. All those who knew Dr.
Auchter had a great deal of respect for his good
judgment, energy, and initiative. He undoubtedly was
one of the major influences of American horticulture
during his active life.
