Description
This collection contains correspondence, research notes, photographs, and other material regarding the professional career
of Archibald D. Shamel, a physiologist with the United States Department of Agriculture who worked at the Citrus Experiment
Station in Riverside, California during the early 20th century. The collection includes a large group of photographs and glass
plate negatives documenting the citrus industry in Riverside and around the world. While the bulk of the collection is focused
on citrus, there are materials pertaining to other non-citrus crops such as tobacco and corn. The collection also contains
material about other areas of horticulture including shade trees, cacti, and flowers. Notable items include photographs, newspaper
clippings, and correspondence regarding local history and the Riverside Parent Navel Orange Tree.
Background
Archibald D. Shamel was born on October 15, 1877 in Taylorville, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois, Champaign
and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1902. While attending university, he worked as an instructor of
farm crops. After graduation, he secured a position as a physiologist working for the United States Department of Agriculture
in the Bureau of Plant Industry. In 1903, his book Manual of Corn Judging was published. In 1904 he invented a tobacco seed separating machine that improved the quality of tobacco plants by separating
seeds and preventing cross pollination. Shamel married Agnes Fay Brewer in 1908 and they relocated to Riverside, California
around 1910. He continued working for the Department of Agriculture at the Citrus Experiment Station (CES). Much of Shamel's
work at the CES focused on the improvement of citrus crops. In 1917 he invented a citrus humidifying machine that was used
in citrus packing houses to improve storage conditions for the fruit. Shamel also had an interest in shade trees and was
a member of the Riverside Parks Planning Department and the Riverside Beautification Committee. In 1937 he published the book
Riverside's Outstanding Trees. Towards the end of his professional career, Shamel continued to research unique and historic trees, writing articles for
newspapers and magazines. In 1950, the American Pomological Society awarded him the Wilder Medal for his work with citrus
and tropical fruits. Archibald D. Shamel died on April 8, 1956 in Riverside, California.
Extent
17.25 linear feet
(34 boxes)
Restrictions
Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition,
the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected
by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other
restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility
for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Availability
This collection is open for research.