Berckmans
was a scholar, nurseryman, horticulturist and
botanist.
He was born in Belgium and died at Fruitland
Nurseries near Augusta, Georgia, in 1910. He spent his
boyhood upon his father's estates. For political and
religious reasons he emigrated to the United States in
1850 and lived for a time near Plainfield, New Jersey,
where he first met Charles Downing and other prominent
horticulturists. In 1857 he moved to Augusta, Georgia,
and established the Fruitland Nurseries. From that
time until his return in 1907 his sole object was the
advancement of Southern Horticulture. As a reward he
received a Masters of Science Degree from the
University of Georgia in 1880.
He spent the major portion of his life in
introducing and disseminating fruits and ornamentals
of value to the south. Plants, cuttings, and seeds
were imported from all parts of the world and tested
at Fruitlands. The nursery became an experiment
station as well as a botanic garden. He was connected
with many domestic and foreign horticultural
organizations.
