G.M. Darrow, The Strawberry: History, Breeding and Physiology
DR. GEORGE M. DARROW is the former Chief Horticulturist in charge
of breeding and cultural work with small fruits and deciduous
fruits in the Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service,
United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Station,
Beltsville, Maryland. Dr. Darrow is recognized as the foremost
American authority on small fruits, particularly strawberries.
During his forty-six years of service in the Department Dr. Darrow
held many offices in scientific societies and was the recipient
of numerous honors. He is past president of the American Society
for Horticultural Science and of the Botanical Society of Washington.
His society memberships also included the American Association
for the Advancement of Science and a life-membership in the American
Pomological Society. He served on the Editorial Board of the Journal
of Heredity and was vice president of the American Genetic Association.
In 1948 he received the Wilder Medal of the American Pomological
Society for outstanding work on small fruits. In 1952 his services
were requested by the Office of Foreign Agriculture to assist
several Latin American countries in their work to improve native
fruits. He was selected as an official U. S. delegate to attend
the 13th International Horticultural Congress in London. In 1954
the U. S. Department of Agriculture awarded him its highest honor-the
Distinguished Service Award. In 1963 the University of North Carolina
conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Science. Since
his retirement in 1957 he has continued to serve the Department
of Agriculture as a collaborator and consultant. He lives on his
farm in Glenn Dale, Maryland, where he not only continues to grow
and evaluate new fruit varieties, but is interested in breeding
ornamentals, especially day lilies and azaleas.
Dr. Darrow wrote all parts of the book not otherwise designated.
MISS D. VIVIAN LEE, Science Reporter for Life magazine, who received her Bachelor's degree from Stanford University and her Master's degree from Columbia, did extensive research in libraries and museums both in this country and in Europe in preparation for her chapters 3 through 6 on the historical background. She found the writings and drawings of Duchesne and recognized the great significance of his contribution to strawberry breeding and evolution.
THE HONORABLE HENRY A. WALLACE, former United States Secretary of Agriculture in the cabinet of President F. D. Roosevelt, former Vice President of the United States, was a pioneer in the production of hybrid corn and hybrid chickens, who has long been interested in the breeding and genetics of many plants, particularly strawberries. He is now living at Farvue Farm, in South Salem, New York, and has contributed Chapter 1, as well as impetus and inspiration for the entire book.
MARY WALLACE BRUGGMANN, Chapponeyres, Vevey, Switzerland, wife of the former Swiss Minister to the United States and sister of Mr. Wallace, wrote Chapter 2, which describes the role of strawberries in religious paintings of the fifteenth century.
DR. F. P. CULLINAN, Associate Director, Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland, wrote the biographical material on Dr. Darrow.
DR. CLYDE F. REED, Botanist with the Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, wrote the first part of Chapter 8, on strawberry species of the world.
DR. G. STAUDT, Institut fur Vererbungs-und Zuchtungsforschung der Technischen Universitat, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany, contributed biographical material on Dr. Schi,mann in Chapter 7. He also aided Miss Lee in preparation of her chapters 3 through 6.
DR. ROYCE S. BRINGHURST, Professor of Pomology, California Agricultural Experiment Station, Davis, California, wrote the portion of Chapter 15 dealing with California and collaborated with Dr. Darrow on strawberry breeding and industry in Mexico in Chapter 18.
DR. WALTER H. J. HONDELMANN, Sengana GmbH, Zuchtung und Zuchtungsforschung, Hamburg-Volksdorf, Germany, contributed the part of Chapter 17 on strawberry breeding and industry in Germany.
MR. JOHN MEADER helped Dr. Darrow to organize material for the book and to write Chaer 22 and also he prepared the index.