Dr. Albert F. Yeager

Abstract

Dr. Albert F. Yeager, outstanding horticulturist and internationally famous plant breeder, died suddenly on November 4, 1961. Dr. Yeager is best known for his origination of early-maturing, high-flavored, disease resistant or hardy varieties of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. His early, determinate Bison variety (1929) made possible the successful culture of tomatoes in North Dakota. His Victor variety exploited the uniformripening character, now widely useful in the canning trade. Doublerich tomato with its high Vitamin C content emphasized the nutritive value of tomatoes. The late-blight-resistant Rockingham tomato introduced in 1962 by the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station originated as a result of his continuing vision in plant breeding. Sunshine sweetcorn, Buttercup squash, New Hampshire Midget watermelon, Greencrop bean are other noteworthy vegetables resulting from his skill as a plant breeder. Durham raspberry, Pixwell gooseberry, Yeager Sweet apple and Red River crabapple, and Sunapee peach are among the fruits resulting from Dr. Yeager's efforts. Three of his lilacs are also listed by nurseries.