Von Roeder Cotton Breeding Farms
Snyder, Scurry County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Pioneer cotton breeders; aides to world fiber market, economy. Clemens Von Roeder, born 1888 in Austin County. As farmer began use of mutations, 1923, produced a long staple, big boll cotton; later added strains to resist hail, windstorm, rust. He was joined by his brother Nolan in 1934; Bentley Baize, an agricultural executive, 1940; and Nolan's son, Max, in 1957. Von Roeder-marketed seeds are Texas Mammoth and Western Prolific, for hand-picking; and Western Storm Proof, for modern mechanical harvesting. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Beginning in 1923, Clemens Von Roeder used naturally occurring mutations to breed a long-staple, big-boll cotton on this West Texas land, later adding strains resistant to hail, windstorm, and rust. Joined over the decades by his brother Nolan, agricultural executive Bentley Baize, and Nolan's son Max, the family developed marketed seed varieties — Texas Mammoth and Western Prolific for hand-picking, and Western Storm Proof for the new mechanical harvesters.
Why it matters
The Von Roeders' selective breeding helped adapt cotton to the mechanized harvest and harsh plains climate, strengthening a crop central to the Texas and world fiber economy.
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Related people
- · Clemens Von Roeder
- · Nolan Von Roeder
- · Max Von Roeder
- · Bentley Baize
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