PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN a Publication of the Botanical Society of America, Inc

PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN A Publication of the Botanical Society of America, Inc.

VOLUME 1 JANUARY, 1955 NUMBER 1

lems facing us. and at present we would like to review TheChallengeto Botanists the overall situation as it appears to the Committee on Sydney S. Greenfield Education. The problems with which we are confronted Chairman. Committee on Education seem to fall into three general areas. namely, education The Botanical Society of America of the general public. education of the botanical profes~ American education is continually beset with prob- sion. and education of college and university administra~ lems resulting from its transitional nature, and from tors and faculties in general.- conflict in the aims and methods ad9pted to meet con- With regard to the general public. we need to stimu- temporary needs. The extensive and acceleratedchanges late and conduct presentations of interesting news items of the past severaldecades have raised many critical prob- and stories that will lead to widespread understanding -~-- 1em£that are l1QWsubject..t.CIV{idespread-publk~pro=-- of the significance of plants and plant studies. This fessional discussion. Although we are vitally concerned --work should be carried on by individuals. committees, with the overall problems, the development of botanical universities, and other agencies, and should make use of sciencein the service of American education is of partic- the popular press. films. radio and television. Some uni- ular concern to us, and is urgently in need of our atten- versities and botanical gardens are already engaged in tion. In a considerable number of institutions, botany this. and their work should be reported and discussed has grown with the expansion of the science, and of in this bulletin in order to stimulate greatly expanded education, and is now vigorously and extensively serving activity in this field. the needsof undergraduate and graduate instruction, but Within the botanical profession we need to have wide- this development has not been general. On the whole;"'\ spread discussion of objectives and of improving meth- botany has not kept pace with the expansion of the other ods in botany and biology teaching. and in this Plant sciences,and in some casesthere has been a decline if not Science Bulletin will be very valuable. Conferences and an elimination of botany from the curriculum. A sum- J symposia on biology teaching should be held in the mary of certain critical aspectsof this situation was pre- Teaching Section. and at various local meetings. We sented in the "Report of The Committee To Study the need- to exchange information on what we are doing in Role of Botany in American Colleges and Universities" the various colleges. and together formulate standards at the meetings of The Botanical Society of America at and goals for plant science in various curricula. Certain Ithaca in 1952. A limited number of copies of this re- universities could act as centers for work with colleges. port is still available for distribution to members. teachers colleges, and high schools in their respective The Committee on Education of The Botanical So- localities. Botanists should be stimulated to study aims. ciety of America has been studying means whereby it objectives, and methods. and to contribute articles to might effectively promote greater appreciation and proper various educational journals to improve and expand the development of plant sciencein the colleges, as well as services of plant science in biology and general educa- the education of the general public as to the importance tion programs. -of plants and theU:.study to 1:I1,1nIb.i£.will.l'e.quU:e.- Much workD£('ns to hLdone with regard to educ:a~ nationwide discussion among botanists of educational tional administrators and college faculties. After thor- and other problems. with a view towards development oughly discussing the problems among ourselves. we and formulation of professional policies, and plans for need to evolve and publish criteria for evaluating bio- coordinated constructive action. logical and botanical programs with regard to content. Until now, a major obstacle to cooperative analysis method. and professional preparation of personnel. Fun- and attempts to solve our common problems has been the damentally. we need to work out standards and goals to lack of an appropriate medium for intra-professional dis- provide information that will be useful to the regional cussions, and in this regard, the establishment of Plant accrediting associations in evaluating colleges of various ScienceBulletin may well presagea new era for profes- kinds, and in encouraging them to improve. We might sional botany in this country. As scientists we are co- also set forth conditions which we regard as unsatisfac- ordinated by the A. A. A. S., and as biologists by the tory to aid them in looking for faults in need of correc~ A..I. B. S.,but on the next level there is urgent need for tion. However. our standards should not be in terms of communication among plant scientists. Under the spon- minimum conditions required for accreditation, but sorship of The Botanical Society of America, and with rather in terms of ideal goals towards which colleges proper support and utilization, this new publication should be encouraged to develop. The emphasis in the might develop into an effective coordinating medium for accrediting agencies is definitely on gradual. encouraging. all the plant sciences. positive and constructive action. rather than merely on As part of the many potential usesof this bulletin, we police action. We need to work out standards for botany plan to discuss various aspectsof the educational prob- (Continued on pagethree) /~~wr PAGE TWO PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN

7. The Bulletin should function in part as a clearing Plant ScienceBulletin house for researchrequests and aids-specimens and ma- HARRY J. FULLER. Editor terials wanted and available. information about who is 203 Nat. Hist. Bldg., University of ll1inois Urbana, ll1inois doing what. etc. EDITORIAL BOARD 8. The Bulletin might make an important contribu- George S. Avery Brooklyn Botanic Garden Harlan P. Banks Cornell University tion to the teaching of botany by including papers on Harriet Creighton...... """ .Wellesley College course organizations, visual aids, examinations, demon- Sydney S. Green1ield. .Rutgers University stration techniques, etc. Paul B. Sears .., ..., ...Yale University JANUARY,1955 . VOL. 1. NO.1 10. The Bulletin should include notices concerning special fellowships and assistantships (other than the usual graduate school fellowships and assistantships of- Editorial Platform fered by collegesand universities), exchangeteaching and Plant ScienceBulletin, which is to be a quarterly pub~ researchappointments, and related matters. lication of the Botanical Society of America. is getting In addition to these often mentioned suggestions. the off to a late start, an unfortunate condition which results Editor received many other suggestions for topics suit- from pressuresof many sorts upon its Editor: an extra- able for Plant ScienceBulletin. Among these are: bot- ordinarily heavy teaching load, his function as Treasurer any in relation to food technology. anniversariesof spec- of the Botanical Society of America, his inexperience in ial events in botanical history. biographies of noted editorial work, and the concomitant necessity of his ed- botanists. foreign botanical activities. notes on plant ucation in matters journalistic. and heavy participation curiosities. news of conservation activities. information in the activities of academic bureaucracy--committee concerning expeditions. academic freedom of scientists. work, doctoral examinations, etc. For the delay in tenure and salaries of botanists. information on green- smashing the champagne bottle upon the prow of Plant house construction and operation. exposure of supersti- ScienceBulletin, the editor is appropriately apologetic; tion and quackery about plants. availability of special he promises that no further delays will beset Plant Sci- lecturers on botanical subjects. etc. enceBulletin during his editorship. The Editorial Board, after consideration of the re- As a prelude to his charting the courseof Plant Science sponses to the Editor's appeal for suggestions, has de- Bulletin, the Editor invited comments and suggestions cided that Plant ScienceBulletin should emphasize those from members of the Society concerning the editorial and topics in the numbered list above, since these were men- publication policies of our new organ. Suggestions re- tioned most often by our members who sent their opin- ceived from about one-fifth of our total membership of ions to the Editor. This does not imply, of course, that approximately 1850 indicated the following convictions the editorial topics of Plant ScienceBulletin will be lim- of the respondents: ited to these subjects. Members should feel free at any 1. Although Plant ScienceBulletin may duplicate in time to suggest to the Editor or to any member of the part the functions of the AIBS Bulletin, it can neverthe- Editorial Board additional items for possible publication less perform a unifying function among plant scientists in Plant ScienceBulletin. and thus is deserving of an adequate trial period. In accordance with this general policy statement of 2. The Bulletin should carry no commercial adver- the Editorial Board. the Board and the Editor invite tising, although it might appropriately carry paid per- members of the Society to submit manuscripts. news sonal advertisements of a brief nature concerning job items. and other materials to the Editor for possible pub- vacancies,botanists available for jobs, books and jour- lication in Plant ScienceBulletin. The Board has agreed nals for sale by members of the Botanical Society of further that all manuscripts submitted to the Editor America, etc. should be read and approved by the Editor and two 3. Each number of th~ Bulletin should include one members of the Editorial Board as a prerequisite to pub- feature article of general interest to plant scientists on lication of such manuscripts. The Editor will receivefor some plant sciencesubject. Such articles should not be publication personal advertisements concerning job va- reports of researchbut should rather bear upon the im- cancies. job availability. and botanical books. journals. portance of botany and related plant sciencesin educa- and specimens for sale by members of the Society at a tion, in industry, in governmental agencies,and in the cost of $1. 00 for three lines. with an added charge of national defense, with emphasis upon the derivative $0.50 per line for additional lines. the total number of nature of applied sciencein relation to pure science. lines not to exceedten. The Editor further will accept 4. The Bulletin should include a section devoted to institutional subscriptions and subscriptions from non- personalia: retirements, deaths, promotions, honors, etc. members of the Society at $2.00 per year per subscrip- 5. The Bulletin should carry occasional articles of a tion. "recent advances" and summarizing type in various fields All manuscripts. news items. personal advertisements. of Botany and related sciences. and other items submitted to Plant Science Bulletin 6. The Bulletin should publish occasional articles on should be addressed to Harry J. Fuller. Editor. Plant non-academic careers and positions available to profes- ofScience Illinois.Bulletin, Urbana. 203 Illinois. Natural History Bldg., University. sional botanists. PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN PAGE THREE

(Continued from page one) ula and that we do our share of the planning. teaching. as a plant sciencegroup, but in regard to general biology and textbook writing. '\ we shall need to work cooperatively with the zoologists. 3. The acceptanceof mediocre students by somegrad- \ Many of the problems we face reflect in part the ur- uate schools and our neglect in encouraging enough dy- gent need to improve American education in general, namic and energetic young men to enter the profession but the situation with regard to botany is somewhat has resulted in some shortage of teacherswho are able to worse than that which obtains in comparable subjects. maintain and advance plant scienceeducation. This is There are several factors that contribute to this special probably true in other fields as well, but a number of retardation, among which are: botanists have expresseda desire for widespread study of 1. The manner in which general biology has devel- this problem with a view towards improving standa:~sI oped. The development of general biology as plant and and encouraging more able young people to becomebo.::J animal science,cooperatively planned and taught by botany teachers. anists and zoologists is proper and fitting in view of the 4. Until recently, there has been a serious lack of shar- composite nature of the course, and it has resulted in a ing knowledge of how to cope with changing conditions number of excellent situations, but unfortunately this and educational problems. Plant ScienceBulletin should has not occurred in the majority of institutions. In be very valuable in providing the means for a nationwide many places, general biology is mostly zoology, taught exchangeof such information. The progress of Dota:iiyafiaootanlstS in every 1>io~ --~ ril-aUify by zoologists. 1 his has had wldespreao reper- - cussions in the failure to hire botanists where needed, logy and botany department would seemto be of interest and in the neglect of plants in biology courses, with a to all of us, and it is clearly our professional responsibil- consequent decline in the election of botany courses by ity to try to improve conditions wherever we can. In a those who might have majored in the field as well as by number of cases,botanists as individuals or in groups prospective teachers. Thus the detrimental effects of the have helped botany departments or individuals in diffi- neglect of plant sciencein biology coursesand programs cult situations. Probably most of such work should be are multiplied and extended to graduate schools, to other done this way, without publicity, but it will require a colleges and junior colleges, to the teacherscolleges, and wider understanding among botanists as to their respon- thereby to the lower schools. This would seemto be our sibilities and the proper procedures. basic problem in the colleges. An administrator who If botany declines becauseof poor teaching, we need does not know the different kinds of biologists or why to improve the teaching. If good teachershave difficul- both botanists and zoologists need to be equally in- ties, we need to help them with information, guidance, volved in biology courses will think nothing wrong of or even visitation where desirable. If a botany depart- hiring "biologists" to teach "biology" even though ment deteriorates, we should try to help it recover. If theseare all zoologists. It is our responsibility to clarify botanists are not employed in fair representation in gen- the issueshere and to define biology, especially for those eral biology, we need to seethat those responsibleunder- who think it is a synonym for zoology. stand the composite nature of the field of biology, and Where a biology department exists instead of separate what is sound academicprocedure, but we will also have botany and zoology departments, there may be some de- to be able to recommend good teachersfor jobs. If poor cline in enrollment and therefore a smaller staff. That or unsatisfactory conditions exist due to a lack of under- in some casesthe decreaseshould be entirely at the ex- standing of proper procedures, then by considered and penseof botany with the practical result of having only tactful educational campaigns we should be able to stim- -;'. il__Z9010gy_department under thp mi~lp::!ding title ("If hinl- ~ejm12~ent. iTl many_placeH --~ ! ogy is a development we cannot afford to ignore. We The problems with which we are confronted in plant:, ".,~ scienceeducation are exceedingly complex and difficult. . need to seeto it that we have adequate botanical representation in all "biological" organizations. In the col- It is easy to rebel against difficult situations and to act in leges, we must insist on equal partnership between bot- anger, but this helps very little, and may causeharm. It anists and zoologists in the planning and teaching of is also easy to submit to difficult predicaments, but this general biology courses. This does not mean that a col- inevitably leads to despair and worsening conditions. lege must have equal numbers of plant and animal scien- Paced with the seemingly impossible, some botanists tists, for the requirements of the elective courses will have been outspoken for each of these approaches,with vary. With regard to the botany electives,their number some confused rationalization by both the belligerent and the institutional support they receivewill depend on and the "ostrich-minded." The wisdom of experience local factors as well as on the quality of the teaching and dictates neither the anger of rebellion nor the despair of the nature of the botany courses: The responsibility for submission, but rather a calm and realistic acceptanceof improving the coursesand the teaching rests with us. any situation, however bad, with dedicated resolution to work towards solving the problems and improving con- 2. Apathy or even antagonism on the part of some ditions. botanists to enter into general biology or general educa- We are faced with tremendous problems in improving tion programs has resulted in inadequate treatment of plant scienceeducation and American education in gen- plant sciencein these courses. We must aim to see that eral, and whether as botanists or university professors plant scienceplays its proper role in all pertinent curric- we can meet the challenge is questionable. But as we PAGE FOUR PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN realize how vital the improvement of education is to our Treasurer's Corner civilization. let us resolve that botanists shall take a lead- ing part in this work. The work of the Treasurer's office would be greatly reduced if members of the Society would: 1. Pay their PERSONAL annual dues before February 1st of each calendar year (the list of delinquent members for 1955, to be sent to The Botanical Society of America has lost the fol- the Business Manager of the American Journal of lowing members through death since January 1. 1954: Botany on April 1st, contains the names of 191 mem- Allan. Charles E., University of Wisconsin; Bailey. bers, 11 % of our total membership). 2. Be certain that Liberty Hyde, Cornell University; Blakeslee. Albert F.. their checks are made out in the correct sum: between Smith College; Brown. Forest H. H.. Honolulu. Hawaii; December 1, 1954, and March 15, 1955, the Treasurer Campbell. D. H.. Stanford University; Coker. William has received 41 checks made- out in the wrong sum; C.. University of North Carolina; Domin. Karel. Prague. each of these necessitatesa letter from the Treasurer to Czechoslovakia (corresponding member) ; Fassett. Nor- the guilty member and an exchangeof checks). 3. Send man C.. University of Wisconsin; Fritsch. F. E.. Cam- bridge. England (corresponding member); Poindexter. their address changes promptly to the Treasurer, who John. Occidental College; Rosenberg. Otto. Stockholm. will then immediately notify the Business Manager Sweden (corresponding member); Shull. George H.. and Editor of the American Journal of Botany, the Princeton University; Spoehr. Herman A.. Carnegie Secretary, and the AIBS mailing office in Washington Institute of Washington, Stanford. Calif.; Sponsler. O. of these changes. 4. Notify the BusinessManager of the c.. 15053 Sutton. Sherman Oaks. Calif.; Stadler. Lewis Journal of irregularities in the receipt of numbers of J.. U. S. D. A.. University of Missouri; Stares, Karlis. the American Journal of Botany. 5870 Sunset Lane. Indianapolis. Ind.; Tucker. C. M.. University of Missouri. Active members of the Society who are about to retire from their positions should write to the Treasurer concerning retired membership status and its privileges. Members who wish to aid in gaining new members John R. Laughnan. Professor of Farm Crops. Uni- versity of Missouri. has been appointed chairman of the of the Society may write to the Treasurer or to the Department of Botany, University of Illinois. to succeed Secretary, who will be glad to send application forms Oswald Tippo. present chairman of the Department of in any desired quantity. Botany and Dean of the Graduate College. University of Illinois. who has resigned to become chairman of the Department of Botany. Yale University. on September DARBAKER PRIZE IN PHYCOLOGY 1. 1955. Dr. Leasure K. Darbaker, a physician of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, who was for many years a member of the Dr. William C. Steere,Editor of the American Jour- Botanical Society of America and who died in 1952, nal of Botany, Professor of Botany at Stanford Univer- bequeathed funds to the Society to provide an annual sity. and Program Director for Systematic Biology of sum (to be known as the Darbaker Prize) for a "grant the National Science Foundation for 1954-1955. has or grants in Microscopical Algae." The sum available to been appointed Dean of the Graduate Division of Stan- the Society annually will approximate $150.00. The ford University. effective September 1. 1955. Before award or awards will be made annually by a committee winding up affairs of his NSF post. Dr. Steere is going of the Society; the present Committee on The Darbaker to Chile for two months. to do what he has not Prize consists of William Randolph Taylor, chairman, divulged. We fear that this may mean the selection of Harold C. Bold. John D. Dodd, Ruth Patrick, and Gil- a new editor for the American Journal of Botany. bert M. Smith. The Committee will baseits judgement although we hope that we are wrong in this assumption. primarily on papers published by candidates during the Dr. Steere left the chairmanship of the Department of last two full calendar years previous to the closing date Botany at the University of Michigan in 1950 to join the Stanford faculty. Congratulations, Dean! for nominations. Nominations for the 1955 award ac- companied by a statement of the merits of the caseand Sociological note: a nationally circulated magazine by reprints supporting the candidacy should be sent to has recently quoted Dean Edmund W. Sinnott of Yale Professor William Randolph Taylor. Department of University to the effect that the time and energy wasted Botany, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. on bridge playing might be put to use if they were diverted to amateur scientific pursuits, such as bird- not later than April 15, 1955. Announcements of the banding, tree-ring analysis, and exchanging specimens 1955 winner (or winners) of the Darbaker Prize will be of Coleoptera or records of meteorite showers. What made at the annual meeting of the Society at Michigan the deuce, Dean! State College, East Lansing. in September, 1955.