The statement continues: "Reports on observational and performance tests are required from those receiving the newly introduced materials.

"Individuals or organizations proposing to increase and distribute seed or plant materials of such introductions in their original genetic form are asked to make this intention known to the agency from which the material came. In such instances plans for joint release can be considered. This is done to avoid confusion arising from duplication of identifying names or numbers given to the same introduction by public or private interests. The source of such plant materials should be publicly acknowledged.

"Where the genetic makeup of the introduced material is modified by selection, inbreeding, or hybridization, the agency providing the original material should be informed of the specific characters in the new strain, which are derived from the original introduction. The original source of these breeding materials, also, should be indicated publicly."

Basic genetic materials generally are involved in the creation of new varieties or hybrids. Furthermore, new varieties or hybrids are often a byproduct of fundamental studies relating to new principles, new methods, or a wider understanding of hereditary processes. Inevitably, then, there arise questions of release of these basic and developmental stocks, as well as the results of these fundamental studies.

"The Department and the State stations are obligated to conduct fundamental studies of the character and properties of plant materials, the modes of reproduction, the inheritance of characters, and the possibilities of modification and control of heredity through cytogenetics, biogenetics, and other advanced methods of improvement. These agencies and their workers are further obligated to make the results of these fundamental studies promptly and freely available to all plant breeders, institutional or private. Effective crop breeding programs are based on the application of such fundamental knowledge.

"Basic genetic materials from such studies useful in crop improvement should be made available to all plant breeders. The term basic genetic c materials refers to items possessing one or more desirable characters, but which otherwise may not be commercially useful. It is not intended to include inbred lines nor selections in course of development and not ready for complete release.

"In many instances, the development of superior varieties or hybrids to solve a given production problem can only be accomplished after certain fundamental studies of heredity and methods of improvement are carried out. When basic genetic materials resulting from such studies conducted by the public agencies are made available to private or public plant breeders, every effort should be made to insure that these materials are not monopolized by any interests."

A decision to release is a grave responsibility. To aid in discharging this responsibility effectively, those concerned in the decision must see that release is accompanied by an effective informational and educational program. The 1954 statement says:

"Seed producers, distributors and farmers should be informed as fully as possible of the values and the adaptation of new varieties in comparison with varieties already grown.

"To decide on varieties, the farmer must have valid information which is complete, fair, and unbiased. All factors relating to performance, whether favorable or unfavorable, should be presented. The same standards used in deciding upon release of a new variety apply in presenting the case to seed producers, distributors and farmers.

"Seed production and demand must be developed together in so far as possible. A seed supply and no demand, or demand and no seed supply, both result in confusion and often in failure to do an adequate job; thus, promotional publicity in advance of the release of a new variety is usually not desirable."

Modifications in policies and procedures concerning release of varieties and other plant materials can be expected with advances in genetics and new methods of plant breeding, and with the rise of cooperative effort among public and private agencies in the development of superior seeds for American agriculture.

One slight extension of the 1954 statement was approved in 1956, clarifying the interchange and release of basic genetic materials originating in the State and Federal alfalfa-breeding programs.

Possibly in cotton there was more apparent conflict between public and private breeders than with any other major crop. From 1955 to 1958 a joint committee of station directors, Agricultural Research Service officials, and representatives of private cotton-breeding firms exchanged ideas and finally developed a mutually satisfactory statement of Private and Public Responsibilities and Opportunities in Cotton Genetics and Breeding. The approved statement charts the basis for mutual understanding and complementary action by private and public geneticists, breeders, and evaluators to the benefit of the entire industry.

A joint working group of representatives of the alfalfa seed industry, the State and Federal research agencies, and the seed certification agencies started in 1960 to develop the basis for complementary actions directed toward further and more rapid improvements in the alfalfa seed production and distribution industries.

R. D. Lewis is Director, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, Tex.

K. S. QUISENBERRY formerly was Assistant Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.