George Edward Stone Papers

1890-1957
14 boxes (6.75 linear ft.)
Call no.: FS 85
rotating decorative images from SCUA collections

Botanist, arborist, and Professor of Botany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst when it was known as Massachusetts Agricultural College. Includes notes on experiments in botany; drawings depicting original apparatus; typed and handwritten reports; clippings and reprints; lecture notes; correspondence; students' papers and an herbarium; typed and handwritten autobiographical notes, including reflections on Massachusetts Agricultural College and comments on Emily Dickinson (1830-1886); genealogies; memorabilia; photographs; scrapbooks of printed botanical illustrations; notes, clippings, and correspondence on psychic phenomena; and materials reflecting administrative and official duties.

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Background on George Edward Stone

1860
Born September 6, Leicester, Massachusetts
1884
Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts State College
1888
Special Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1889
Summer Teacher at Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester, Massachusetts
1893-1916
Professor of Botany, Massachusetts Agricultural College
1893
Ph.D., University of Leipzig, Germany
1895-1916
Plant Physiologist and Pathologist, Massachusetts Experiment Station
1897-1911
Secretary to the Graduate School, Massachusetts Agricultural College
1902
Member of Faculty and Lecturer on Plant Pathology at Graduate School of Agriculture (Under the auspices of Association of American College and Experiment Stations; University of Illinois)
1903
Botanist to The Massachusetts Board of Agriculture
1904
Lecturer on Plant Pathology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Ames, Iowa
1941
Died Amherst, Massachusetts

Scope of collection

The papers of George Edward Stone document his activities as Professor of Botany and Head of the Botany Department at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, his work as a professional botanist and arborist, and his personal interests. Papers include correspondence, lecture notes, reports, notes on experiments, drawings depicting original apparatus, scrapbooks of printed botanical illustrations, students' papers, genealogies, memorabilia, and photographs, together with autobiographical notes, including reflections on Massachusetts Agricultural College and on Emily Dickinson, and correspondence, notes and clippings on psychic phenomena.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into six series:

Series descriptions

Comprised of notes documenting experiments on plants and trees. For some it is not entirely clear under what circumstances or at what time period the experiments were conducted. Many were carried out while attending The University of Leipzig in Germany. The bulk of the experiments pertain to the field of physiological botany such as "Measuring the Force of Gravity in Plants," "Partial Pressure of Oxygen on Protoplasm," "Correlative Growths Resulting from Mutilation and Pruning," and many others. Drawings and sketches depict Stone's original designs and use of apparatus.

Comprises various reports published by Stone and others on topics such as shade trees, plants in different parts of the United States, effects of light, smoke and ice storms on vegetation, and pruning and restoration of trees. Bound volumes of published clippings and articles authored by Stone, including his writings for Arborea, the bulletin of the Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, can also be found in this series.

Contains principally handwritten and typewritten lecture notes, college-related correspondence, reports, and some personal reminiscences of life at the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Many of the letters in this series are written by Stone to various State Commissioners of Education and the Presidents of the College, and concern the buying of land, location of future buildings, reorganizations of present departments, and future courses.

Comprises biographical materials (resumes, genealogy, biography and tributes), a bibliography of published writings, materials documenting memberships in professional organizations and societies, professional directories, clippings, memorabilia, comments on Emily Dickinson, and miscellaneous correspondence. Much of Stone's correspondence was with former students and members of the numerous societies in which he was involved. These letters discuss municipal tree problems, legislation to establish licensing of arborists in Massachusetts, the valuation of shade and ornamental trees, and other related subjects.

Also in this series are nine albums of photographs, and two of printed illustrations labeled "cuts" by Stone. A few are Stone's personal photographs of himself, and presumedly his family and friends. However, most of the photographs relate to his life-long interest in the tree profession.

Contains numerous notes and clippings on what appears to have been a prime interest and hobby for Stone. There are clippings on such topics as television, mental telepathy, visual transmissions and various types of clairvoyance. Stone was a member of the American Psychical Society and the Boston Society of Psychic Research, and many of his papers are notes on experiments relating to these subjects.

The student herbarium of Waldo Barlow, displayed at the St. Louis Exposition of 1904.

Inventory

Series 1. Notes and Experiments
1892-1936, n.d.
Experiments on the Germination of Seeds
1906, n.d.
Box 1: 1
Experiments of Contact Stimulation
1904-1918, n.d.
Box 1: 2
Experiment: The Effects of Illumination Gas On Sycamores (2 copies) plus photographs, Effects of Cases On Trees and Vegetation (3 Copies), Growth Tables, Drawings: Mag. Experiments on Plants
1907-1936, n.d.
Box 1: 3
Notes on Hemlock, Measurements of, South Amherst Swamp
1920-1921, n.d.
Box 1: 4
Notes: Experiment on Plant Correlative Growth
1913, n.d.
Box 1: 5
Experimental Notes on Assorted Subjects
1901-1921, n.d.
Box 1: 6
Transpiration Experiments
1906, n.d.
Box 1: 7
Electricity and Plant Growth,
1918-1931, n.d.
Box 1: 8
Experiments and Causes Defined,
1907-1929, n.d.
Box 1: 9
The Effects of Gypsy Moth and Gas on Trees in New England
n.d.
Box 1: 10
Notebook ("Diarium") of Experiments 144-244
1892-1893, n.d.
Box 1: 11
Series 2. Reports and Articles
1890-1937, n.d.
Shade Tree Literature published by Stone and Co-Workers
1913-1923, n.d.
Box 2: 1
Tree Planting's General Care
n.d.
Box 2: 2
Report on Georgia; Condition of Vegetation
1915
Box 2: 3
Virginia; Smelter Smoke Report, Related Correspondence and Maps
1917
Box 2: 4
Report on the Condition of Vegetation on Staten Island, N.Y.
1917
Box 2: 5
Reports Concerning Damage to Trees from Illuminating gas. Stone's report as consultant
1907-1936, n.d.
Box 2: 6
The effects of illuminating gas on trees (Reports and related materials)
1930-1934, n.d.
Box 2: 7
Report - Lightening Injury to Trees
n.d.
Box 2: 8
1. Various Physical and Chemical Agencies which affect trees, 2. Variation of optimum Light in Course of Plant Development, 3. Need for Improved Methods in the treatment of Pests
1934-1936, n.d.
Box 2: 9
Worcester County Highlands Report
n.d.
Box 2: 10
Factors Associated with Pruning and Restoration
1913-1924, n.d.
Box 3: 1
Restoration of Trees from Ice Storms
1921-1931
Box 3: 2
Miscellaneous Tree Reports
1929-1937, n.d.
Box 3: 3
Concord, Mass. Metcalf, Bartlett etc.; Shade Tree Conference- Correspondence; Related Correspondence
1924-1932, n.d.
Box 3: 4
Re: Evolution
n.d.
Box 3: 5
Publication by Stone
1897-1927, n.d.
Box 4: 1
Publications by Stone
1904-1917
Box 4: 2
Tree News; Some Articles about Stone
1929-1931
Box 4: 3
Publications by Others: Collected by Stone; Electricity and effects on Plants
1894-1917
Box 5: 1
Publications by Others: Bartlett Tree Co: Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station
1916-1937, n.d.
Box 5: 2
Vol.8., No.247 The American Florist (by Others)
1893
Box 5: 3
Publications by Others-, Bartlett Tree Lab.
1916-1934, n.d.
Box 5: 4
4 Bound Volumes of Articles
1890-1929
Box 6
4 Bound Volumes of Articles
1902-1927
Box 7
Series 3. College Papers and Lecture Notes
1899-1937, n.d.
College Related Correspondence, Articles and other Materials
1929-1937, n.d.
Box 8: 1
Concerning John Davey Correspondence and Related Materials
1924-1931, n.d.
Box 8: 2
Concerning M.A.C. to Comm. of Education
1926
Box 8: 3
Misc. Correspondence
1917-1936
Box 8: 4
Report on Graduates 1930s Massachusetts State College


Box 8: 5
Concerning: President Hugh Baker
1937
Box 8: 6
M.A.C. Grounds


Box 8: 7
Shade- Tree Notes and Course Arrangement on that Subject
n.d.
Box 8: 8
Lecture Notes: Handwritten and Typescripts
1899-1937
Box 8: 9
Some Phases of Life at M.A.C. (Contains Personal Reminiscences)
n.d.
Box 8: 10
Shade Tree Management, 1893-1915, Course Introduction and Notes A & B.
1893-1915
Box 14: 11
Shade Tree Management, 1893-1915, Notes C, D, E


Box 14: 12
Shade Tree Management, 1893-1915, Notes G (no F)


Box 14: 13
Shade Tree Management, 1893-1915, Notes G


Box 14: 14
Series 4. Subject Files and Correspondence
1894-1956, n.d.
Societies in which Stone Involved
1928-1937
Box 9: 1
The F.A. Bartlett Tree Dealings
1920-1936, n.d.
Box 9: 2
Consultant to F.A. Bartlett Tree Co., Complaint Against
1931
Box 9: 3
Massachusetts Tree Warden's and Forester's Association
1913-1934, n.d.
Box 9: 4
Data for Tree Warden Law (1923)
1924, n.d.
Box 9: 5
The Davey Tree Expert Co.
1923-1928
Box 9: 6
Massachusetts Forestry Association
1900-1931, n.d.
Box 9: 7
Connecticut Tree Protective Association
1919-1930, n.d.
Box 9: 8
State and Local Regulations Concerning Shade Trees
1899-1926, n.d.
Box 9: 9
Stone's Resumes and Personal Records; life histories; tribute
1927-1946, n.d.
Box 10: 1
Genealogy
1894-1937, n.d.
Box 10: 2
By Gordon King, 1957 Life; Organizations, Bibliography of Writings
1957
Box 10: 3
Memorabilia
1895-1956, n.d.
Box 10: 4
Memberships and Directories
1915-1933, n.d.
Box 10: 5
Invention
ca. 1913
Box 10: 6
Comments on Emily Dickinson and related material
1930-1931, n.d.
Box 10: 7
Miscellaneous Clippings
1902-1927, n.d.
Box 10: 8
Comments on Photos
1917
Box 10: 9
Envelope 1, Photographs 1-181


Box 10
Envelope 1, Photographs 182-357


Box 11
Envelope 2, Photographs 358-514


Box 11
Envelope 3, Photographs 515-687


Box 11
Envelope 4, Photographs 688-817


Box 11
Envelope 1, Photographs 818-1024


Box 12
Envelope 2, Photographs 1025-1293


Box 12
Envelope 3, Photographs 1294-1309


Box 12
Envelope 5, "Cuts" Book 1


Box 12
Envelope 6, "Cuts" Book 2


Box 12
Envelope 7, Photographs Second Series 1-52


Box 12
Series 5. Psychic Research
1919-1937, n.d.
Notes: Personal Impressions Transmissions
n.d.
Box 13: 1
Stone's Notes - Mental and Visual Transmissions
1919-1933, n.d.
Box 13: 2
Psychic Research
1929-1932, n.d.
Box 13: 3
Telepathy
1935-1937, n.d.
Box 13: 4
Clippings (photocopied) Concerning Psychic Phenomena,
late 1800s - early 1900s
Box 13: 5
Series 6. Student Herbarium
1902-1905
Waldo Barlow Herbarium


Box 13: 6

Administrative information

Access

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Processing Information

Processed by Charlotte Truesdale, 1975.

Languages:

English, German

Acknowledgments

Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Copyright and Use (More information )

Cite as: George Edward Stone Papers (RG 40/11 Stone). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Search terms

Subjects

  • Botany--Massachusetts.
  • Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886.
  • Horticulture--Massachusetts.
  • Plant physiology--Massachusetts.
  • Stone, George Edward.
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst--Faculty.
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst. Department of Botany.

Contributors

  • Stone, George Edward, 1860-1941 [main entry]
  • Barlow, Waldo.

Genres and formats

  • Herbaria.
  • Photographs.

Link to similar SCUA collections