Scope and Contents This collection reflects the varied interests and wide-spread activities of Nelson. He corresponded with horticulturists and botanists from all over the world, as well as the United States. Because of Nelson's activities and interests, there is a good deal of material from the Society for Louisiana Irises and the Louisiana Society for Horticulture Research (LSHR). Barbara Nelson, his wife, was the long-time secretary of the LSHR, and some of her records in this office are in the collection....

Scope and Contents The South Louisiana Camellia Society existed from 1945 to 1965. Its major activity was an annual show usually held in conjunction with SLI's (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) Camellia Pageant. The collection also centers on that event. Long-time society officials were Genevive Billeaud, Secretary and Ira S. Nelson, Show Manager.There are also documents from two Shreveport nurseries which were involved with importing camellias from abroad between 1935 and 1941....