Robert G. Askew Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 319

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Robert G. Askew Papers document his research into the history of gardening in North Dakota through research questionnaires he sent out across the state and were returned, together with two drafts of his article on the subject and a version published in a special edition of North Dakota Farm Research marking the 100th anniversary of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The One Hundred Years of Gardening in North Dakota Series includes two draft manuscripts of Askew‟s article under the same name. The initial draft is marked „2nd write‟ and is longer of the two, a typed copy of thirty-eight leaves of text and a five-page bibliography. It includes only some editing of the text. The other draft is only twenty-two pages in length with a four-page bibliography. It includes the subtitle: A History of the Economic and Nutritional Importance of Home Gardens for North Dakotans. In an apparent attempt to shorten the article, sections and sentences are lined out. A shortened version of his paper appeared in the 100th anniversary edition of North Dakota Farmer, published by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. In addition to Bob Askew as author, Diane Askew is also listed. The article includes several images and a bibliography. The Completed Questionnaires Series contains forty-five questionnaires that Askew mailed out to selected individuals across North Dakota. The questionnaire is six pages in length asking a total of eighteen questions related to gardening in North Dakota. Among the questions are “From your earliest recollection, how large was your mother‟s garden?”, “What did your mother raise in her garden?”, “Where did your mother obtain her vegetable seeds?”, “Did your mother raise and pickle cucumbers?”, and “If your parents did sell garden produce, can you remember what was sold and at what price?”. For most of the completed questionnaires the person completing it is not given. Several do have an attached letter to the form. For some Askew addressed it by a person‟s first name. Some are also labeled as to location in North Dakota.

Dates

1989-1990.

Creator

Askew, Robert G. (Robert Gordon) (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are held by the Institute.

Biography

Robert Askew was born at Casselton, N.D. on July 19, 1926, the son of Joseph and Leah (Bernath) Askew, and raised on the family farm there. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his military service he attended NDSU where he received his bachelor‟s degree in agriculture in1950, and a master‟s degree in horticulture in 1968. He joined the NDSU extension staff in 1967, replacing Harry Graves as extension horticulturist. He retired from NDSU in 1980, receiving numerous awards for his contributions to horticultural science in North Dakota. In 1958 Askew married Diane Kasowski, also of Casselton and they raised three children. For some years they operated Lehigh Gardens nursery and greenhouse at Casselton, N.D. and also farmed in the area. After his retirement he and his wife reopened Lehigh Gardens which they operated for seven years. In 2001 they moved to Fargo where he died August 23, 2003.