Hybridizer George E. Arceneaux Sr.(1895-1986)¹

Houma, Louisiana, USA

George Arceneaux, Sr. was a well known expert in sugar cane technology. For many years he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. From 1928 until 1950 he was variety agronomist and then Superintendent of the USDA Field Station at Houma, Louisiana. He then became Project Leader for USDA research on sugarcane. Following that he established a consulting service which took him to many countries, especially Egypt and the Dominican Republic. He was active in may professional organizations including the International Society of Sugarcane Technologists. Arceneaux came from a prominent Acadian family. He was born in Lafayette Parish and attended the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette). He was always proud of his Acadian heritage. In 1974 he published Youth in Acadie: Reflections on Acadian Life and Culture in Southwest Louisiana.

The collection reflects Arceneaux's involvement with sugarcane, especially as a consultant for the Gulf and Western operation at Central Romania, Dominican Republic. Much of the correspondence and research material is connected with the breeding and selection work carried on there. There is also some material showing Arceneaux's continuing interest in his Acadian heritage.

In 1968 the Arceneaux home in Pass Christian, Mississippi was heavily damaged by Hurricane Camille. Most of Arceneaux's papers were lost at that time. Therefore, the great bulk of the correspondence and research material in this collection dates from after that catastrophe. Arceneaux also lost his library at the same time. The reprint collections in the papers is the result of solicitations designed to rebuild his holdings. Therefore, it may not truly reflect Arceneaux's own research interests. The reprints are arranged as Arceneaux classified them. In some cases copies of the same articles are located in two places. [George Arceneaux, Sr., Papers, Collection 142. Retreived from https://library.louisiana.edu/collections/university-archives-manuscripts/manuscripts-collections/george-arceneaux-sr-papers. ]

Registrations/Introductions:

Louisiana: 'Aline Martin', 'Easter Surprise', 'Edith Dupre', 'Helen Smith', Jolie-Blon', 'Louise Austin', 'Louisiana Delight',

-- BobPries - 2012-05-18