James M. Troop papers

James M. Troop was born in New York and graduated from the Michigan Agricultural College in 1878. The next year he spent in doing post graduate work at Cornell University and the winter following in study at Harvard. In 1880 Professor Troop returned to Michigan Agricultural College to become a member of the Horticultural Staff, and received his Master of Science Degree there in 1882. Two years later Professor Troop came to Purdue where he taught Horticulture, Entomology, Forestry, Economic Botany and Veterinary Science. During his first winter at Lafayette the temperature dropped 14 degrees below zero and all of the apple orchards in this part of the state were killed. There was an immediate demand for information relative to varieties of apples which would withstand these low temperatures. This resulted in the planting of some hundred varieties of apple trees imported from Russia and this was the first experimental work done along Horticulture lines at Purdue. Professor Troop was also widely known for his work on the life history and control of codling moth. More members were added to the Agricultural Staff each year, which naturally resulted in a gradual division of responsibilities. Up to 1912 Professor Troop had charge of Entomology and Horticulture and soon thereafter the work was again divided, Professor Troop became Head of the Entomology Department and Professor C. G. Woodbury, Head of the Horticultural work. Professor Troop served Indiana Horticulture for over 46 years.